Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 2m 45.11s

(2)

Alderman³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 107

13/2

Progressive form but no match for the highly promising Water To Wine in 11f Newbury maiden on reappearance. Took a significant step forward when 7¼ lengths fifth of 13 in Derby at Epsom (1½m, soft) last month and while that makes him the one to beat, less testing conditions are a concern.

Form: 73-25

(5)

Del Maro²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 104

9/4

Has a 1-8 record that doesn't nearly do justice to his level of ability, beaten by the narrowest margin for the second start in succession in 11-runner Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1¾m, good to firm) recently, relishing the step up in trip. Every chance he will go one better.

Form: 23-1422

(4)

Galiyan²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| BF

3/1

Built on his debut promise when staying on well to land a well-run 1½m maiden at Chester in May. Improved again but even better might have been expected given his market strength when 3 lengths sixth of 11 in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1¾m) recently. Further progress required.

Form: 416

(1)

Nil Bua Gan Dua¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 98

8/1

Got off the mark at the fifth time of asking when seeing off 4 rivals in a conditions event at Roscommon (10.4f, good) in May. Exceeded expectations in a race chock full of depth when fourth of 16 on handicap debut at Royal Ascot (1¼m, good to firm) recently and now upped markedly in trip.

Form: 435-314

(3)

Point Of Law²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 101

5/2

Well-bred Frankel colt who confirmed debut promise to land the odds at Newbury (1¼m) in May, despite not looking entirely straightforward under pressure. Much improved when 1½ lengths fourth of 11 in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1¾m, good to firm) since and may well progress again.

Form: 214

Forecasts

Del Maro (9/4), Point Of Law (5/2), Galiyan (3/1), Alderman (13/2), Nil Bua Gan Dua (8/1)

Hard to rule out any of the quintet in this extremely valuable Group 3 but a 1-8 record grossly undersells DEL MARO's level of ability so Charlie Appleby's colt gets the nod having been beaten by the narrowest of margins the last twice. Point of Law finished a couple of places behind the selection at Royal Ascot and he may emerge as the chief threat, with Alderman rounding off the shortlist following his fast-finishing fifth in the Derby.