Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 2m 28.71s

(2)

Kalpana^p²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Colin Keane| T: A M Balding| OR: 120| D

11/10

Very smart mare who chased home Calandagan in last year's King George and returned to Ascot to land a second successive win in Group 1 Fillies' & Mares' Stakes (1½m, good to firm) in October. Will be hard to beat if close to her best on reappearance.

Form: 322271-

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(1)

Arabian Force³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 110

9/2

Progressed into a smart performer last year and made a creditable return to action when ½-length second of 8 to Zarraf in listed race at Longchamp (1½m, good) 34 days ago. Top stable has won this twice in recent years.

Form: 17233-2

(4)

French Master^p1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| D

9/1

Winner of 1¾m handicaps at Goodwood and Royal Ascot at the start of last summer. Creditable 1¾ lengths third of 6 to Santorini Star in Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1½m, good) on reappearance 15 days ago. Headgear (first-time cheekpieces) back on.

Form: 21150-3

(3)

Liberty Lane³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113

12/1

2024 Cambridgeshire winner who landed a pair of 1¼m listed races last season. Probably needed the run when 5½ lengths fifth of 7 in listed race at Longchamp (9f, good) on reappearance 34 days ago. First attempt at 1½m.

Form: 04341-5

(5)

West Wind Blows¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 117| BF| D

11/4

Won all-weather listed race at Deauville in December. Seemed to show he's still capable of very smart form when chasing home Calandagan in Dubai Sheema Classic (1½m, good) in March but he was seen to maximum effect from the front. Respectable 3 lengths second in Longchamp Group 3 (1½m, soft) since.

Form: 21-4222

Forecasts

Kalpana (11/10), West Wind Blows (11/4), Arabian Force (9/2), French Master (9/1), Liberty Lane (12/1)

If KALPANA is fully tuned up for this comeback run she should be up to defying her Group 1 penalty. West Wind Blows is almost certainly flattered by his proximity to Calandagan in Dubai but this could be another race he can control from the front and he's second choice.