bet365 Mile (Group 2)

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 1m 45.63s

(3)

Johan²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 106| D

12/1

Smart handicapper who was clearly perked up by a yard switch when running out a good winner of the Lincoln (1m) at Doncaster last month, well positioned but scoring readily. That race has thrown up winners already but his task is to back that up at this higher level.

Form: 81400-1

(2)

Mutasaabeq¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 107

85/40

Superbly-bred colt who added a couple of small-field conditions events to his tally either side of being highly tried last term. Resumed winning ways in similar contest on return at Thirsk (7f) 2 weeks ago and he remains low-mileage.

Form: 17018-1

(5)

Rhoscolyn¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104

28/1

Much improved for this yard last year, racking up a hat-trick in handicaps around 7f in early-summer and several good efforts in stronger races after. Shaped as if he'd come on for his return third behind Mutasaabeq at Thirsk 2 weeks ago but this demands a lot more.

Form: 23459-3

(4)

Sunray Major¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102| BF| D

9/2

Half-brother to top-class Kingman who was most impressive when making it 3 wins from first 4 starts, landing big-field Ascot handicap (7f) in October. Not seen to best effect in Balmoral Handicap final start and just the type to make his mark at a higher level as a 5-y-o.

Form: 14/110-

(6)

Alcohol Free^h1¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 119| D

7/4

Very smart filly who posted a career-best display to land third Group 1 success in the Sussex Stakes last summer. Never scaled same heights either start thereafter but the one to beat in this less demanding environment on return. First-time hood.

Form: 513168-

(1)

Lights On¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 106| D

17/2

Progressive in handicaps at 1m and produced a smart effort to bolt up in Pontefract listed event (1m, soft) in July. Not disgraced in pair of Group 3 contests thereafter but she may well find a couple too good on return.

Form: 118127-

Forecasts

Alcohol Free (7/4), Mutasaabeq (85/40), Sunray Major (9/2), Lights On (17/2), Johan (12/1), Rhoscolyn (28/1)

ALCOHOL FREE was most impressive when gaining her third Group 1 in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last summer and, with excuses after, she's fancied to hit the ground running on return and capitalise on the drop back into calmer waters. Sunray Major has more to offer in 2022 and is feared, along with Mutasaabeq.