bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 1m 25.13s

(3)

Dark Thirty²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

10/1

Form of the 6f Newbury maiden he won on debut is working out well and by no means disgraced in the Chesham at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) next time. Shouldn't be far away, but he's up against some very promising types here.

Form: 15

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(5)

For A Laugh²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell

25/1

Appeared to be carrying plenty of condition ahead of last month's debut in a Sandown maiden (7f, good), but he shaped well in the race itself, putting in good late work to finish third. Improvement on the cards, but this demands a big step forward.

Form: 3

(2)

Isaac Shelby³⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: B J Meehan| D

3/1

£92,000 yearling who did the job well when making a winning debut at Newbury (6.5f, good to soft) in May. That wasn't a particularly strong maiden by Newbury standards, but he's clearly promising and certainly doesn't look out of place in this line-up.

Form: 1

(1)

Lion Of War¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Cieren Fallon| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| D

11/4

Ready winner of a 7f Leicester maiden on debut and followed up in impressive fashion at Newcastle recently. Looks ready for this step up in class and likely to make a bold bid to make it three from three.

Form: 11

(4)

Victory Dance²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| CD

5/4

Fetched 700,000 gns as a foal and justified strong support when getting on top close home on debut over C&D (good) three weeks ago, despite clear signs of greenness. Good prospect for top yard which has won this race four times since 2016.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Victory Dance (5/4), Lion Of War (11/4), Isaac Shelby (3/1), Dark Thirty (10/1), For A Laugh (25/1)

An intriguing renewal of this Group 2 contest, featuring three very promising and unbeaten colts, namely VICTORY DANCE, Lion of War and Isaac Shelby. Charlie Appleby has saddled the winner of four of the last six runnings, including with Native Trail 12 months ago, and is taken to enhance that statistic with Victory Dance. The Dubawi colt did well to make a winning debut over C&D last month and should have plenty more to offer. Lion of War was impressive at Newcastle recently and is feared most.