Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 29.04s

(4)

Trawlerman^h⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 121| C| D

5/6

Ebor winner in 2022 and has made up into a high-class stayer, landing the Long Distance Cup the following year and having chased home the mighty Kyprios a few times, he got his Group 1 breakthrough in the Gold Cup at Ascot in June. 3 lb penalty to carry but very much the one to beat.

Form: 323-511

(6)

Al Nayyir^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Tom Clover| OR: 111

16/1

Better than ever when taking a heavy-ground 2m Newmarket listed race last September (subsequently disqualified) and, though yet to reproduce that level of form in 4 runs so far this year, he came within a short-head of adding to tally at Sandown sporting first-time cheekpieces.

Form: D5-5832

(5)

Al Qareem⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 114| C

11/2

Likeable front runner who was runner-up in last season's Silver Cup over 13.9f and unpenalised for his Group 3 win in the autumn, he went one place better in the aforementioned contest last month. Yet to conclusively prove stamina for 2m.

Form: 4-31211

(3)

Dubai Future^p,h²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 114| D

16/1

Won the 2022 Wolferton and made a most remarkable return to the track after an absence at Meydan this year, winning twice. Shaped as if amiss on first start in Europe since September 2022 at Longchamp but much more like it when far form disgraced in a brace of Group 1 events since.

Form: 4/11936

(1)

Sweet William^v²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| D

3/1

Very smart stayer who has his quirks but very often runs his race, including when runner-up in this last year. Emphasis on stamina didn't play to his strengths in Ascot Gold Cup behind Trawlerman but returned to 2m, he was right back on his game when third in the Goodwood Cup, going in snatches.

Form: 212-343

(2)

Shackleton^p1³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

22/1

Has just a maiden win to his name but ran best race yet when second in the Group 2 Curragh Cup, rallying well. Cheekpieces go on and 2m will suit but this sole 3-y-o in the line-up has a tough task on the face of it.

Form: 13-4482

Forecasts

Trawlerman (5/6), Sweet William (3/1), Al Qareem (11/2), Al Nayyir (16/1), Dubai Future (16/1), Shackleton (22/1)

Despite his penalty, it's hard to get away from TRAWLERMAN, who produced a high-class performance in his own right with no Kyprios in the line-up when gaining his Group-1 breakthrough in the Gold Cup at Ascot. That form sets him apart from these, with the slightly quirky but reliable stablemate Sweet William offered for forecast purposes.