William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 43.95s

(4)

Poker Face⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 116| D

5/4

Improved again last year, landing hat-trick in Longchamp Group 2. Good 1¼ lengths second to Charyn giving 3 lb in Sandown Mile on reappearance but not so good in the Lockinge next time and amiss in Queen Anne on latest, so bit to prove back down in grade.

Form: 112-27P

(2)

Sonny Liston^b²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 114| D

7/2

Very smart handicapper who ran a blinder in the Royal Hunt Cup for the second consecutive year before a couple of lesser efforts, albeit he was up against it in the Sussex Stakes on latest. Big player if back to his best.

Form: 26-1265

(1)

Royal Dress^h³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: J Tate| OR: 107| CD

3/1

Smart filly who took her form to another new level when running out a ready winner of the Rathbride Stakes at the Curragh last time. Needs to up it again to trouble a couple of these rivals.

Form: 07-1381

(5)

Ice Max⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| BF| D

5/1

Successful twice at Catterick from 5 runs last year. Gelded after and much improved this season, easy winner of handicaps at Bath/Musselburgh. Hasn't quite fired up in class since.

Form: 15-1145

Non-Runners

(3)

Lead Artist²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: J & T Gosden J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Lead Artist (11/10), Poker Face (5/4), Royal Dress (3/1), Sonny Liston (7/2), Ice Max (5/1)

LEAD ARTIST did well to win over C&D having set a strong gallop in the Thoroughbred Stakes here last time and he's open to further improvement, so he's preferred to Sonny Liston, who drops back in grade. Royal Dress can't be ruled out on the back of an impressive display in Ireland.