Cavani Menswear Fashion Face-Off Frenzy Criterion Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 22.76s

(1)

Jumby²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 111| D

9/2

Smart horse who comes here on a career-best win in 6-runner John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock (7.2f) 21 days ago by 1½ lengths from The Astrologist. Can go well again.

Form: 965-501

(3)

Aldaary⁴²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 116| D

5/2

Improved in leaps and bounds in handicaps in 2021 and made a smooth transition to a higher grade when landing 6-runner listed race at Haydock (7.2f) by 3½ lengths from Bounce The Blues. Off for 14 months but still rates a player for his in-form yard.

Form: 55711/1-

(6)

Audience^h²⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| D

14/1

Smart gelding who gained a first success since his debut in 7f handicap at Leicester 8 months ago. Needs considering despite his lay-off with few miles still on the clock.

Form: 220331-

(5)

Berkshire Shadow¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 113| D

11/4

Kickstarted 2023 with 7f/1m AW victrories and confirmed himself smart when 5 lengths fifth of 12 to Triple Time in Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot 11 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 64-1135

(2)

Pogo¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 112| CD

3/1

Smart at his best but he's yet to fire this season, only 9¼ lengths tenth of 12 to Triple Time in Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot (125/1) 11 days ago. Took this event 12 months ago so he can't be totally discounted.

Form: 217-000

(4)

Sam Maximus^v³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 107| C

25/1

Smart colt. Off 8 months and not disgraced when 5 lengths sixth of 9 to Run To Freedom in listed race at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) 35 days ago. This course winner can take a step forward.

Form: 30012-6

Forecasts

Aldaary (5/2), Berkshire Shadow (11/4), Pogo (3/1), Jumby (9/2), Audience (14/1), Sam Maximus (25/1)

Only six runners but not the easiest Group 3 to assess. ALDAARY was firmly on the up when last seen out so is taken to defy his long absence and extend his winning sequence to four for his in-form handler. Jumby has his fitness proven so is feared most on the back of a recent success in Haydock's John of Gaunt Stakes, while last year's winner Pogo can't be discounted despite failing to fire so far this term.