15:05 Chester

Friday 10 May 2024

All13:3014:0514:3515:0515:4016:1516:5017:23

IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 2m 5.24s

(6)

Hans Andersen³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

11/2

Useful colt who was seen only 3 times last season but didn't have much trouble landing the odds in minor event at Dundalk (12f) 5 weeks ago. Much more on his plate now, however.

Form: 25/180-1

(3)

Israr^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| BF| D

13/8

Smart performer who won at this level at Newmarket (12f) in July. Disappointed in Qatar in February but back on track in this headgear when close third in Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown 2 weeks ago. Needs considering.

Form: 1622-93

(8)

Mashhoor^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 109| D

14/1

Very much had the run of the race when completing hat-trick in Group 3 at the Curragh last summer and has struggled since, including at the Curragh on return. Headgear now given a whirl. Others preferred.

Form: 11156-8

(7)

Oviedo²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 105| D

16/1

Progressed well last season having been highly tried at 2 yrs, ending the campaign with excellent fourth of 34 in Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, doing best of those who didn't race in the stand-side group. However. will find this a very different kind of test and likely to come up short on return.

Form: 619324-

(4)

Passenger²⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111| D

7/4

Quickly developed into a smart performer last year, making a winning debut in Wood Ditton before unlucky not to follow up in the Dante. Found Derby coming too soon but firmly back on track after a break when narrow winner of Group 3 at Windsor final start. Very much the type to make a better 4-y-o.

Form: 1301-

(9)

Regal Reality²³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111| D

11/1

Talented veteran who has won a Group 3 every year bar one since 2018, including 6-runner Diomed Stakes at Epsom last summer. Some good efforts in defeat later in the season and made a respectable return in Earl of Sefton at Newmarket. Not discounted.

Form: 13324-4

Non-Runners

(2)

Certain Lad²⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 8

T: J Channon J: George Bass

(5)

Royal Rhyme²⁰²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

(1)

Sunchart⁴⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 7

T: A Slattery J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Israr (13/8), Passenger (7/4), Hans Andersen (11/2), Royal Rhyme (7/1), Regal Reality (11/1), Certain Lad (12/1), Mashhoor (14/1), Oviedo (16/1), Sunchart (25/1)

PASSENGER quickly made up into a smart performer in a light 3-y-o campaign and he very much has the profile of one who will develop further this year. This looks a good starting point and can provide Sir Michael Stoute with a record-extending 8th success. Royal Rhyme is another who promises to make a better 4-y-o and rates a likely threat along with Israr, who won at this level last season.