Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:37 | Winning time: 2m 7.45s

(2)

Claymore³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 107

7/1

Relatively cheap Breeze-Up purchase who made an impressive start when landing a Newmarket novice with ease last October. Improved on that when runner-up in Craven Stakes there on reappearance and his latest effort in the French 2000 Guineas is easily excused (worst of draw). Solid place claims.

Form: 1-20

(6)

Cresta^h⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: M Meade| OR: 104

11/1

Debut winner last summer who left his reappearance effort well behind sporting a first-time hood (still a shade keen) when runner-up in a listed event at Chester last month. Changed hands for £490,000 earlier this week but needs to take his form up a notch to have a say in proceedings.

Form: 142-52

(1)

Howth^p1⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101

22/1

Made a winning start in handicaps at Killarney last year but failed to really kick on, running as well as could be expected when sixth in Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial on reappearance. Cheekpieces applied but he looks up against it.

Form: 18459-6

(4)

Kingmax³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 101

16/1

Showed promise for Roger Varian last year and stepped up markedly when bolting up in a novice at Kempton in March. Improved again when fourth in the Craven and similar form when 8½ lengths fifth to Desert Crown in Dante at York last month. Faces another uphill task.

Form: 22-145

(5)

Maksud²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 99| D

10/1

Golden Horn colt who created a really good impression when landing 13-runner minor event at Windsor (10f) on debut in April. Took a big step forward when a close fourth in listed event at Goodwood since and he's likely to progress further. Interesting.

Form: 14

(3)

Reach For The Moon²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| BF

2/5

Highly progressive juvenile who landed Solario Stakes at Sandown before excellent second in the Champagne at Doncaster (7f). Had a setback over the winter, but returned with an encouraging runner-up effort in a listed event at former course last month and he's potentially capable of even better.

Form: 22112-2

Forecasts

Reach For The Moon (2/5), Claymore (7/1), Maksud (10/1), Cresta (11/1), Kingmax (16/1), Howth (22/1)

REACH FOR THE MOON missed the Derby with a setback but returned with an most-encouraging effort when runner-up in a listed event at Sandown 4 weeks ago. John & Thady Gosden's charge is clearly highly-regarded (holds a couple of Group 1 entries) and with this step up in trip holding no fears, he's a confident choice to get back to winning ways. Claymore's most recent effort is easily excused so he shades the vote for the forecast spot over Maksud.