15:00 Haydock

Saturday 12 August 2023

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 12.74s

(2)

Al Aasy²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| D

6/5

Very talented and only just 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 and left comeback run well behind when taking listed event at Newbury by 1½ lengths from Phantom Flight. Form pick.

Form: 248/1-51

(4)

Classic Causeway²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: Kenneth McPeek| OR: 110| D

33/1

Smart performer in the US but well held both starts over here, albeit highly tried. Back down in class now but still has a bit to find.

Form: 6-26466

(3)

El Drama⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| D

10/1

Smart horse who went close in a 9f Meydan Group 1 in March. Has failed to kick on since, however, 6¾ lengths fourth of 5 to in listed race (13/8) at York (7.9f, good to firm) 57 days ago, finding less than looked likely. Has since left Roger Varian.

Form: 25-2844

(7)

King Of Conquest^p1⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| D

9/2

Further progress this season, landing big-field 9f handicaps in Bahrain and at Newmarket before battling well to complete hat-trick in listed contest at Goodwood. Caught further back than ideal when fifth in Wolferton at Royal Ascot since and remains of interest. Headgear on.

Form: 21-1116

(1)

Phantom Flight²¹

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

7/1

Progressive during his debut season in 2022, winning 3 times, and decent efforts in defeat on all 4 starts this term, good 1½ lengths second of 6 to Al Aasy in listed race (7/1) at Newbury (10f, good) 21 days ago. No obvious reason why he should turn that form around, however.

Form: 17-3342

(6)

Savvy Victory³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S Woods| OR: 111| D

10/1

Dual winner last season and better than ever when resuming winning ways in listed race at Sandown 5 weeks ago by 2¼ lengths from subsequent winner Poker Face. Well worth a shot at this level.

Form: 3-52001

(5)

Midnight Mile¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 104| D

5/1

Caused something of a surprise when taking Oh So Sharp Stakes (7f) in October before acquitting herself well in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on final start. Resumed progress when winning fillies' listed event in good style at York and not taken lightly in receipt of age/sex allowance.

Form: 114-401

Forecasts

Al Aasy (6/5), King Of Conquest (9/2), Midnight Mile (5/1), Phantom Flight (7/1), El Drama (10/1), Savvy Victory (10/1), Classic Causeway (33/1)

AL AASY isn't the most straightforward but he showed his class when beating Phantom Flight by 1½ lengths in a listed race at Newbury 3 weeks ago and this low-mileage 6-y-o is more than capable of following up. King of Conquest's winning run came to an end in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot, though he wasn't seen to best effect that day so rates the main threat ahead of 3-y-o filly Midnight Mile.