Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 3m 37.52s

(5)

Coltrane²⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 116| C| D

11/4

Much improved performer last season, bagging his third win in Doncaster Cup and signing off with excellent head second to Trueshan in Long Distance Cup over C&D. This course winner must enter calculations.

Form: 114212-

(3)

Trueshan²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 121| BF| CD

1/1

Top-class stayer who ended 2022 with his third C&D success when edging out Coltrane in Group 2 in October. Resumed with a respectable second to Rajinsky in listed race at Nottingham (14f). The one to beat with that run under his belt and with underfoot ground conditions to suit.

Form: 11321-2

(2)

Nate The Great⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 108| D

50/1

Smart gelding who signed off for 2022 with 2m listed win at Newmarket. Returned with a good fifth of 13 in handicap at King Abdulaziz (14.9ff 67 days ago but more is needed here.

Form: 20961-5

(4)

Rajinsky²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Davies| T: H Palmer| OR: 108| CD

12/1

Genuine and reliable stayer who posted a career best when winning 5-runner listed race at Nottingham (14f, heavy) 21 days ago by ½ length from Trueshan. This C&D winner is 2 lb worse off now but still well in the mix.

Form: 13419-1

(6)

Wise Eagle^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: A Nicol| OR: 103| D

18/1

Useful gelding who returned with victory in 14f handicap at Musselburgh 25 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on but this demands a big step forward.

Form: 61141-1

(1)

El Habeeb³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: K P De Foy| OR: 110| C

5/1

Smart colt who kickstarted 2023 with a good fifth of 15 to Broome in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (15.9f, good to firm) 39 days ago. A course winner too so he's no forlorn hope with few miles still on the clock,

Form: 02161-5

Forecasts

Trueshan (1/1), Coltrane (11/4), El Habeeb (5/1), Rajinsky (12/1), Wise Eagle (18/1), Nate The Great (50/1)

TRUESHAN should be all the better for his Nottingham reappearance second to Rajinsky and with ground conditions to suit he can bag a fourth C&D victory before beginning his assault on the Cup races once more. Andrew Balding's Coltrane enjoyed an excellent 2022 but, not for the first time, is fancied to chase home Alan King's top-class stayer, with Rajinsky 3 lb worse off with the selection now and taken to claim minor honours.