Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 22.52s

(4)

Audience^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| CD

4/1

Very smart on his day, as he proved when dominating the Lockinge at Newbury and Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last season. However, he has failed to scale such heights this time round and while his latest Doncaster Group 2 third was a creditable effort, he essentially looks vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 0-97393

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(5)

Beauvatier^t1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Alexis Pouchin| T: Y Barberot| OR: 111| D

7/1

French raider who didn't do much wrong in 2024 and regained the winning thread in a Group 3 at Deauville in July. Down the field in the Haydock Sprint Cup, but could have a big part to play back at 7f here, provided that the word 'firm' doesn't appear in the going description. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 34-7160

(1)

Poet Master²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 115| CD

5/2

Developed into a smart performer last season, the highlight of which was his clear-cut victory in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh. Lost little caste in defeat when second at Longchamp (7f, good to soft) last month and he should make his presence felt once again.

Form: 5155-92

(3)

Cosmic Year⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 110| CD

2/1

Kingman colt who looked an exciting prospect when winning his first 3 starts (all 7f) and did his reputation no harm when second upped to a mile in the Irish 2000 Guineas in May. Latest effort at Goodwood can be overlooked owing to traffic problems and he's very much of interest back at 7f.

Form: 1-11274

(2)

Scoville⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 105| BF

11/2

Bred in the purple and looked a good prospect when winning 1m novice events at Windsor and on the other course here earlier in the season. Shaped as though amiss tried in a tongue strap (discarded here) in a French Group 3 last time and he remains of interest in view of that initial promise.

Form: 110

Forecasts

Cosmic Year (2/1), Poet Master (5/2), Audience (4/1), Scoville (11/2), Beauvatier (7/1)

None of these can be ruled out, but the one who appears most likely to run his race is POET MASTER. He is fresher than most with just two runs under his belt this year, he appears to go on pretty much any type of ground and was a C&D winner on his sole previous visit to this track. This race was won by a French raider 12 months ago and, provided that the ground isn't on the fast side, Beauvatier should make a bold bid to repeat the dose. Cosmic Year is also greatly respected back at 7f.