Virgin Bet A Good Bet Royal Mile Handicap

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 1m 41.52s

(6)

Vincenzo Peruggia²⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott| T: C Johnston| OR: 91

7/2

550,000 gns buy as a yearling who confirmed promise of his debut when readily accounting for 5 rivals in novice at Beverley (7.4f) in July. Best excused his final outing in Group 2 at Goodwood and this scopey sort promises to do better now handicapping as a 3-y-o.

Form: 310-

(5)

Utmost Good Faith^h³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: G Boughey| OR: 89| D

7/2

Landed a Fairyhouse claimer on final outing in Ireland and enhanced his form further on all-weather for new yard, winning back-to-back handicaps at up to 1m this year. Rise in class seemed to find him out at Kempton latest but return to handicaps very much in his favour.

Form: 771-114

(3)

Monoceros¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: I Jardine| OR: 84

28/1

Debut scorer at Newmarket (7f) in July but off bridle long way out when third at Leicester (7f) the following month. In trouble long way out (reportedly lost action) when pulled up on nursery debut thereafter and has since left Charlie Appleby (also gelded). Market can guide.

Form: 13P-

(2)

Strength of Spirit²⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 81

4/1

Son of Ulysses who was progressive in 4 starts as a 2-y-o, making it 2 wins from 4 starts in 7-runner nursery at Newbury (7f) in July. Did that quite cosily and feasible to think there could be more to come as a 3-y-o now tackling 1m for the first time. Has been gelded ahead of return.

Form: 5121-

(1)

Kanishka^p1⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Harry Davies| T: B Ellison| OR: 78

17/2

Won his maiden on all-weather last summer and has resumed in good order, stepping up on his reappearance when close-up fourth at Southwell (7f) last week. That looks solid form for the grade and whilst this is tougher, he holds a fitness edge over most. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 4107-34

(4)

Comic Hero⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

15/8

Knocked firmly at the door on 2 of his 3 starts in sprint novice events last summer and following 7 months off (also gelded) justified cramped odds at Kempton (7f) in February. Beat a next-time-out winner then and interesting now handicapping with top yard in excellent form.

Form: 732-1

Forecasts

Comic Hero (15/8), Vincenzo Peruggia (7/2), Utmost Good Faith (7/2), Strength of Spirit (4/1), Kanishka (17/2), Monoceros (28/1)

None of the sextet can be discounted with the narrow vote in favour of Andrew Balding's COMIC HERO. He beat a subsequent winner on return to action at Kempton in February and there's surely even better to come from the son of Saxon Warrior. Vincenzo Peruggia is the type to progress again as a 3-y-o and he's feared for the stable who took this prize 12 months ago. Strength of Spirit completes the shortlist.