Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 1m 23.40s

(4)

Balmacara²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 105| D

28/1

Useful gelding who resumed after 7 months off with a good third in listed company at Haydock (7f) in May but in face of another stiff task, he made little impact when seventh in an Epsom Group 3 earlier this month. Ground possibly livelier than ideal here and others boast much stronger claims.

Form: 0200-37

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(6)

Chicago Critic^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: O J Orr| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 106

10/1

Irish raider who was just touched off in a Meydan Group 2 in February and with blinkers quickly replaced by usual cheekpieces, he dispelled a lesser effort when fourth behind subsequent Queen Anne winner Ten Bob Tony at Epsom (7f) 3 weeks ago. May have to settle for a minor role again, though.

Form: 626484

(5)

Never So Brave²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| BF| CD

6/4

Quickly made up into a very smart performer last year, bringing up a hat-trick in the inaugural running as a Group 1 of the City of York over C&D in August. Not scaled same heights in 2 starts this season but had worsening ground as an excuse when fifth at Epsom latest. Fancied to get back on track.

Form: 1117-55

(2)

Qirat^t1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109| D

8/1

Smart performer who caused a huge upset in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last summer having slipped the field. However, struggled in trio of starts thereafter and he failed to come on for his reappearance run in the spring when seventh in the Diomed at Epsom (8.5f) 3 weeks ago. Tongue strap added.

Form: 1570-47

(1)

Royal Velvet⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: W J Knight| OR: 102| CD

12/1

Useful mare boasting a good strike rate and she followed up her reappearance Newmarket victory in a fillies Group 3 at Lingfield (7f) in May. Failed to give her running from much-inflated mark in last week's Buckingham Palace at Ascot (7f) and this looks a difficult ask on these terms.

Form: 815-110

(3)

Saber Strike⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| BF| D

13/8

Night of Thunder colt who marked himself down as potentially high class when making it 2-2 in King Charles II (7f, listed) on reappearance at Newmarket in May. Had excuses on account of track position when sixth in the Jersey at Royal Ascot last week and interesting connections turn him out quickly.

Form: 1-16

Forecasts

Never So Brave (6/4), Saber Strike (13/8), Qirat (8/1), Chicago Critic (10/1), Royal Velvet (12/1), Balmacara (28/1)

Having looked potentially high class when making a winning reappearance at Newmarket in the spring, SABER STRIKE is probably best not judged on his latest Jersey Stakes sixth 7 days ago (perhaps not ideally placed down the middle). It looks significant his top yard opts to turn him out quickly and, in receipt of weight all round, could be the answer. C&D Group 1 winner Never So Brave had excuses on account of worsening ground at Epsom last time and is expected to play a lead role also.