BetVictor St Simon Stakes (Group 3)

3YO plus | Class 1 | 1m 4f | 7 Runners | Turf

(4)

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 112| D

Successful in Group 2 company in France at 3 and back to best to Chester listed (soft) and Ascot Group 3 (good) over this trip on his last 2 outings. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 15-0011

(2)

Hamish⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 117| D

Edged out by Max Vega in this last year but 3-3 at pattern level this year, underlining how good he is in the mud when pulling 4 lengths clear in a Glorious Goodwood Group 3 when last seen in August. Hard to beat.

Form: 212-111

(7)

Lone Eagle^b⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R M Beckett| OR: 107

One of his best runs since finishing second in the 2021 Irish Derby when chasing home Hamish in the Ormonde at Chester in May but he's been unable to build on it, his latest third back at Chester no more than respectable.

Form: 7-52993

(5)

Max Vega¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 107| CD

Beat Hamish to win this 12 months ago Respectable efforts this year when third in the John Porter over C&D and the September Stakes at Kempton but he needs to shrug off a poor run at Longchamp only 13 days ago.

Form: 71-3639

(3)

Ching Shih⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 104| C

Useful filly who was much improved when second (clear of rest) to Arrest in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes here (13f) in August and ran close to that form when fourth in the Park Hill at Doncaster since. Course winner on heavy.

Form: 0-33824

(1)

White Birch^t⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: J J Murphy| OR: 113

Smart colt, notably third in the Derby at Epsom in June. Bounced back from a lesser run in the Irish Derby when fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 last month. Has won on heavy ground.

Form: 1-12384

(6)

Salt Bay³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 105

Third in a Group 1 at 2. Disappointed on first 2 runs this season but right back on song when second in a course handicap (13f, heavy) last month. That gives him something to build on and he's fresh for the time of year.

Form: 13-742

Forecasts

Hamish (11/8), Al Qareem (4/1), White Birch (5/1), Salt Bay (8/1), Max Vega (8/1), Ching Shih (14/1), Lone Eagle (14/1)

HAMISH was turned over in this 12 months ago (by the reopposing Max Vega) but has been faultless so far this season and should make no mistake this time. Al Qareem is another who arrives at the top of his game after listed/Group 3 wins this autumn and can give the selection most to do ahead of Derby third White Birch.