Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) (Gold Cup Trial)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 3m 34.67s

(3)

Coltrane^p²⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 113| CD

4/6

Landed this race for second successive season a year ago. Came up short in better company after but signed off for the campaign with 2¼ lengths third of 5 to Kyprios in Prix du Cadran at Longchamp. Very much the one to beat in his quest for the hat-trick.

Form: 015643-

(1)

Yashin^t1²²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: M L W Bell| OR: 103WS

11/1

Got within 2¾ lengths of Kyprios when third in Saval Beg at Leopardstown in May (won 2023 renewal) but returned to big-field handicaps, he underperformed twice during the summer. Visored and steady gallop looked against him when last seen in September. First run for new yard and tongue tie on.

Form: 4/33006-

(2)

Feigning Madness¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98

6/1

Two from 2 as a juvenile. Seen only twice as a 3-y-o, not appearing at home on the track at Epsom and slowly-run race no use to him after 6 months off when fourth in Group 3 in October. Fared about as well as could be expected when fourth in the John Porter on return. Looks ready for this trip.

Form: 11/54-4

(4)

Divine Comedy²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 101| D

3/1

Very progressive handicapper in the past 2 seasons, winning 4 times. Cracking short-head second of 4 to Al Qareem in listed race at Nottingham (14f, good) 21 days ago, staying on well, and return to 2m very much in her favour.

Form: 12580-2

Forecasts

Coltrane (4/6), Divine Comedy (3/1), Feigning Madness (6/1), Yashin (11/1)

COLTRANE has a slight class edge over these and having won this the last 2 seasons, he's sure to be well prepared for this reappearance. He can bring up the hat-trick, possibly at the chief expense of Divine Comedy, who is getting better with age.