British EBF Joan Snow Memorial Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 1m 15.77s

(4)

Sword Maker²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 90| D

11/8

Promising sort. 2 wins from 4 runs this year. Career best when winning 15-runner nursery (9/4) at Doncaster (6f, good) 20 days ago, forging clear. Remains open to improvement and likely to prove a tough nut to crack.

Form: 0131

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(3)

American Gulf³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: Oliver Cole| OR: 90| D

4/1

Lightly-raced winner. Successful at Windsor in June. Very good second of 8 in nursery (6/1) at the same course (6f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 1092

(2)

First Legion²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 94| D

5/1

Useful colt. Winner at York in May. 8 lengths eighth of 10 to Five Ways in Sirenia Stakes at Kempton (6f, 10/1) 26 days ago. Needs to get back on track, but it's entirely possible that he'll do just that with his sights lowered here.

Form: 120578

(1)

Pilu³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: R A Teal| OR: 87| CD

9/4

Twice-raced winner. 11/8, won 10-runner novice at this C&D (soft) 34 days ago. Much more on his plate in this company, but he's clearly promising.

Form: 11

Forecasts

Sword Maker (11/8), Pilu (9/4), American Gulf (4/1), First Legion (5/1)

Cases can be made for each member of the quartet, but SWORD MAKER's claims are the most compelling on the back of his thoroughly decisive display in a Doncaster nursery under Oisin Murphy last month. The Pinatubo colt's best days are likely still ahead of him. American Gulf went down narrowly at Windsor on his latest start and he is second choice. First Legion is dangerous to discount now eased in grade and the unbeaten Pilu merits respect, too, for all that he needs to raise his game.