13:35 Kempton

Saturday 9 September 2023

All13:3514:1014:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Unibet September Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:38 | Winning time: 2m 30.87s

(6)

Israr⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| D

10/3

Progressed in handicaps last season, winning at Newbury and Doncaster, and has taken form to another level this term, resuming winning ways in Group 2 at Newmarket 8 weeks ago. However, is penalised for that success and conceding 5 lb to Bay Bridge looks a tough ask.

Form: 310-221

(2)

Bay Bridge⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 121

8/11

Unbeaten at 3 yrs and developed into a high-class performer last term, ending the campaign with victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Not quite at that level this season but this looks an excellent opportunity back down in class.

Form: 251-325

(4)

Belloccio¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Kyle Strydom| T: D Menuisier| OR: 101| CD

50/1

Smart gelding who has an excellent record here. However, below par both starts in the spring when last seen.

Form: 0411-68

(1)

Candleford¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Dobbs| T: W J Haggas| OR: 110| CD

11/1

Duke of Edinburgh winner at Royal Ascot last summer and first win since when beating 5 rivals in listed event at Windsor 2 weeks ago. Place claims.

Form: 433-331

(5)

Max Vega¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109| D

25/1

Smart sort but just respectable efforts both starts in the spring and may find a few too sharp for him around here.

Form: 6071-36

(7)

Shandoz²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 106| CD

16/1

Smart performance to win C&D listed race in November 2021. Shaped as if retaining all his ability on first run since when 7½ lengths third of 7 to Arrest in Geoffrey Freer Stakes (12/1) at Newbury (13.3f, good) 21 days ago but up against it here.

Form: 11021/3

(3)

Fortino²¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| D

10/1

Successful 8 times in Chile, 4 of them Grade 1s. Has since joined a top stable and interesting to see what the market makes of his chances.

Form: 12221-1

Forecasts

Bay Bridge (8/11), Israr (10/3), Fortino (10/1), Candleford (11/1), Shandoz (16/1), Max Vega (25/1), Belloccio (50/1)

An excellent opportunity for the high-class BAY BRIDGE to open his account for the season back down in class. Israr can follow him home under his Group 2 penalty, while his stablemate Fortino is an interesting runner on British debut given his success in Chile.