15:00 Newmarket

Saturday 30 September 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 10.76s

(4)

Elite Status⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 104| D

14/1

Looked a good prospect when taking two of his first three starts but has come up short in Prix Morny at Deauville since and has plenty to find with a few of these rivals.

Form: 11317

(7)

Givemethebeatboys⁴⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 106| D

20/1

Won the Group 3 Marble Hill over 6f here in May but has seemingly had his limitations exposed when behind Bucanero Fuerte in the Coventry and Phoenix since. Likely he'll come up short again.

Form: 1143

(2)

Jasour⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: C G Cox| OR: 109| D

11/1

Much improved when taking the step up to Group 2-company in his stride at the July meeting here (6f, good to firm), scoring by 2 lengths with a bit in hand. Came up short in Prix Morny at Deauville since (did too much too soon) but remains with potential.

Form: 2118

(1)

Lake Forest³⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 109| BF| D

14/1

Overcame greenness and the run of the race to make a winning start at Haydock in June and built on that when second in July Stakes at Newmarket next time. Resumed progress to land the Gimcrack at York last time and he's likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 1241

(8)

River Tiber⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| D

11/4

From a good sprinting family and took his record to three from three when landing the Coventry at Royal Ascot in June. Reportedly missed some work prior to a creditable third behind Vandeek in Prix Morny and he's worth chancing to reverse the form.

Form: 1113

(5)

Sketch³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Meade| OR: 97| D

66/1

Looked useful when scoring by 5 lengths on 6f Newbury debut. Back on track when third in listed company at York last time and step back up in trip should suit. Has plenty to find, however.

Form: 163

(6)

Starlust²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103| D

22/1

Likeable type who doubled his tally when landing the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton three weeks ago. Probably out of his depth upped to this level, however.

Form: 511221

(9)

Task Force³³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 100| D

15/2

Frankel colt with typically cracking Juddmonte pedigree. Has looked a top prospect in taking his first two starts, not hard pressed to land a listed event at Ripon on latest, and looks well worth a go in this grade.

Form: 11

(3)

Vandeek⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| D

5/4

625,000 gns breeze-up buy who made a big impression twice before upping his game again to land the Prix Morny in gutsy fashion last month. More progress on the cards and makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 111

Forecasts

Vandeek (5/4), River Tiber (11/4), Task Force (15/2), Jasour (11/1), Lake Forest (14/1), Elite Status (14/1), Givemethebeatboys (20/1), Starlust (22/1), Sketch (66/1)

RIVER TIBER was unable to go with Vandeek in the Prix Morny last time but he'd reportedly missed some work prior to that and, given how promising he'd looked beforehand, he's worth a chance to reverse form with his old rival in a race that the pair may dominate. The unbeaten Task Force is a big player for all that he's stepping up markedly in grade.