'European Road To The Kentucky Derby' Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 1m 38.16s

(4)

Hott Shott¹³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 94| C

28/1

Lightly-raced winner. Two wins from 4 runs last year. Didn't need to improve to win 12-runner novice (evens) at this course (7f) when last seen in October. Stepping up to a mile won't be an issue but he's up against some highly promising colts this time.

Form: 3151-

(1)

Molveno^t²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M Botti| OR: 88| CD

14/1

Lightly-raced winner. C&D winner. Didn't need to improve to win 4-runner handicap at Newcastle (8f, evens) 25 days ago, readily. More will be needed if he's to complete the four-timer but further progress is certainly not out of the question.

Form: 031-11

(2)

Olympus Point¹³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 90| BF| D

20/1

Winner at Newmarket in September. 11/4, good second of 8 in a nursery at that course (7f, soft) on final start of his 2-y-o campaign (gelded since). William Buick prefers Opera Ballo. Makes polytrack debut.

Form: 23212-

(3)

Opera Ballo²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| CD

11/10

Highly promising individual. Won 9-runner maiden at this C&D (4/9) on debut 28 days ago, impressively. Clearly an exciting prospect.

Form: 1

(5)

Quai De Bethune²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| CD

11/4

Twice-raced winner. Won 9-runner maiden at this C&D (2/5) 28 days ago, readily. Open to progress for leading yard and should make his presence felt.

Form: 3-1

(6)

Saddadd⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| D

7/2

Promising type. Won 9-runner novice at Southwell (8.1f, 8/15) on debut 74 days ago, forging clear. This well-bred colt looks a good prospect.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Opera Ballo (11/10), Quai De Bethune (11/4), Saddadd (7/2), Molveno (14/1), Olympus Point (20/1), Hott Shott (28/1)

The sky could be the limit for OPERA BALLO, who was a very taking winner on debut over this C&D last month and he is hard to oppose. Saddadd also made a winning start to his career at Southwell and earns the vote for forecast purposes ahead of another promising colt in Quai de Bethune.