Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 10.8s

(1)

Brussels⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| D

9/4

Wootton Bassett colt cost 300,000 gns as a yearling and made a winning start to his career (despite being relatively easy to back) when successful in a 9-runner maiden at the Curragh over this trip in May, only ridden out near finish. Represents powerful connections and looks sure to improve.

Form: 1

(3)

Comical Point²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 95

12/1

Blue Point colt who made a winning start in uncomplicated fashion in 8-runner maiden at Salisbury prior to improving to finish fifth in the Norfolk (5f) at Royal Ascot, without ever threatening to win. Wasn't given a hard race that day and could have more to offer now stepped up to 6f.

Form: 15

(2)

Do Or Do Not²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 105

8/1

Maiden arrives very much on the up, having again improved (looked in fine shape beforehand) when runner-up up in the Coventry (6f) at Royal Ascot, well positioned off the pace and stayed on to lead his group in the final 50 yards. Remains open to progress and sure to win a race before long.

Form: 022

(6)

Jel Pepper³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: P & O Cole| D

11/2

Created a good impression when justifying support to land a 7-runner novice stakes at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) last month, looking professional and quickening clear in the final furlong. Tackles quicker ground here but remains open to improvement second time up.

Form: 1

(5)

Maximized³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 95| D

6/4

£720,000 breeze-up buy created a fine impression when defeating a better fancied stablemate on debut. Again showed plenty of speed but saw out the trip well to defeat a subsequent Royal Ascot winner in the Woodcote (6f) last time, winning with a bit in hand. That form sets the standard here.

Form: 11

(4)

Zavateri³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| D

18/1

Going best from some way out when making a successful debut at Salisbury (6f) 30 days ago. That form has taken a few knocks, for all he was visually very impressive. Entitled to progress but facing a different calibre of opposition now.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Maximized (6/4), Brussels (9/4), Jel Pepper (11/2), Do Or Do Not (8/1), Comical Point (12/1), Zavateri (18/1)

MAXIMIZED is a sprinter on the up, having defeated the subsequent Windsor Castle winner when making it 2-2 in the Woodcote at Epsom last month. He can maintain his progression and land the hat-trick at the expense of Coventry runner-up Do or Do Not who is very progressive in his own right, while Ballydoyle's impressive debut winner Brussels has to be respected now pitched into group company.