Pertemps Network King Charles II Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 1m 25.52s

(5)

Cerro Blanco¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Appleby| CD

2/1

Wootton Bassett colt who overcame inexperience and justified cramped odds in the process when making a winning debut in a C&D maiden 17 days ago. Well on top at the finish and this imposing sort looks well worth his place at this higher level.

Form: 1

(4)

Jel Pepper²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: H Crouch| T: Oliver Cole| OR: 99| CD

10/1

Third in a 6f Group 2 on July course last summer and landed a valuable sales race over C&D on final start, benefiting from increased emphasis on stamina. May have needed run after 6 months off when fourth in listed company at Newcastle (1m) 4 weeks ago and fancied to take a step forward here.

Form: 13471-4

(3)

Maximized¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Planas| T: C Appleby| OR: 98

14/1

Landed first 2 starts as a 2-y-o, including Woodcote at Epsom. Failed to make an impact in pair of Group 2s after but confirmed he's capable of useful form when twice placed in Meydan earlier this year. Just similar form when third in C&D conditions event latest and he's more exposed than some.

Form: 155-323

(6)

Saber Strike¹⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas

11/2

Night of Thunder colt who hails from a useful family and proved a class apart from his rivals when running out a 3-length winner of a Redcar novice (6f) on debut in November. Takes a marked step up in class on return but in top hands and there's surely plenty more to come.

Form: 1-

(2)

Stellar Sunrise¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 103| D

5/4

Won in big fields at 2 of the summer festivals as a juvenile and away from very testing ground, got back on the up in no uncertain terms after 4 months off when landing an informative 3-y-o handicap at Newbury (7f) 2 weeks ago, quickening up smartly. Well worth his place back at this higher level.

Form: 23115-1

(1)

Ellusive Butterfly¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 96| D

20/1

Invincible Army filly who opened her account at third attempt at Southwell (7f) in January. Stepped up further in defeat, runner up in 1m conditions event prior to finishing fourth in Group 3 Fred Darling at Newbury 2 weeks ago.

Form: 43-124

Forecasts

Stellar Sunrise (5/4), Cerro Blanco (2/1), Saber Strike (11/2), Jel Pepper (10/1), Maximized (14/1), Ellusive Butterfly (20/1)

STELLAR SUNRISE quickened up smartly to land what promises to be an informative 3-y-o handicap on return at Newbury 17 days ago and, well worth his place back at a higher level on that evidence, he earns the vote. Well-bred debut winners Saber Strike and Cerro Blanco both hail from leading stables also and may emerge as the dangers.