bet365 Stakes (Listed) (Registered As The Steventon Stakes)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 5.37s

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(2)

Al Aasy²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| C

10/3

Very talented but no battler, as shown when edged out in Coronation Cup at Epsom and Group 2 at Newmarket in 2021. Resumed winning ways back down in class in listed race at Ascot sole 2022 start but not on a going day after 14 months off at Newmarket earlier this month. Major claims in this.

Form: 2248/1-5

(1)

Epic Poet²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Meade| OR: 106| D

6/1

Smart performer who landed minor event at Longchamp and listed race at Compiegne in 2022. Placed on final 3 starts for Jean-Claude Rouget and interesting to see what the market makes of him returning from 8 months off for a new yard.

Form: 131322-

(6)

Highland Avenue³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 109

7/4

Three-time winner in 2021 and has put up 3 good runs in recent weeks back from a lengthy absence, latest when fourth in listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (10f, good) last month. In the mix back in a small-field scenario.

Form: 8/89-324

(4)

Phantom Flight²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 105| D

7/1

Progressive during his debut season in 2022, winning 3 times, and shaped well on all 3 starts this season, albeit not seen to best effect when down the field at Newmarket (12f, good to firm) earlier this month. Back down in trip and certainly not discounted.

Form: 317-334

(5)

Dancing Magic^h,t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: R A Teal| OR: 104

10/1

Remains a maiden but has been highly tried, wasting no time getting back on track in a first-time hood/tongue strap when 4 lengths eighth of 16 to Waipiro in Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (10f, good to firm) last month, confirming his stamina for the trip. More required here.

Form: 244-308

(3)

Oviedo³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Bethell| OR: 100| D

6/1

Made a winning debut at Doncaster and has taken his form up a notch this year, suited by step up in trip when doubling his tally on handicap debut at Redcar (10f) in May. Hung violently left when ninth in Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (10f) so he's tough to fancy.

Form: 308-619

Forecasts

Highland Avenue (7/4), Al Aasy (10/3), Oviedo (6/1), Epic Poet (6/1), Phantom Flight (7/1), Dancing Magic (10/1)

A very smart performer in his prime, AL AASY wasn't on a going day on his return from a lengthy absence at Newmarket 3 weeks ago but fancied to leave that effort well behind, William Haggas' 6-y-o can notch a sixth career success at the expense of Highland Avenue, who has returned in good order this season and should be bang there back in this small-field scenario. Phantom Flight can fill out third spot.