BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 2m 4.99s

(6)

Arabian Light³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: K Shoemark| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| D

11/2

Smart effort to win handicap at Meydan (1¼m) in January and probably should have followed up in Group 3 there later that month. Resumed after 4 months off with a respectable fourth in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1¼m, good) but well held in Wolferton at Royal Ascot since. Buick on Al Zanati.

Form: 05-1240

(4)

Midak⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 102| D

12/1

Useful winner for Francis-Henri Graffard in France. Back to that level at the third time of asking for this yard when fourth of 6 in listed race at Goodwood (1½m, soft) 41 days ago but this demands more.

Form: 104-694

(1)

Persica¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 114| D

1/1

Won the 2025 Diomed Stakes at Epsom and back to best when narrowly in this year's renewal of that race. Creditable 1¾ lengths second of 6 to Sallaal in listed race at Sandown (1¼m, good) 15 days ago. Should go well.

Form: 08-4252

(5)

Al Zanati⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 106

11/4

Group 3 winner in France as a juvenile. Returned with a good second in Sandown Classic Trial and the yard was going through a quiet spell when only sixth in the Dante at York 3 weeks later. Freshened up since and taken to bounce back.

Form: 121-26

(3)

Oceans Four^p1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: B J Meehan| OR: 110

10/1

Won a 1m Group 3 in France last September. Bounced back from a disappointing reappearance when length fourth of 10 to Generic in Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (1¼m, good to firm, 80/1) 30 days ago. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 9131-74

Non-Runners

(2)

Silawi¹⁵⁴

Weight: 9-8| Age: 6

T: H Al Jehani J: F Bughanaim

Forecasts

Persica (1/1), Al Zanati (11/4), Arabian Light (11/2), Silawi (6/1), Oceans Four (10/1), Midak (12/1)

PERSICA arrives at the top of his game and is the one to beat, although it would be no surprise to see Al Zanati resume his progression and pose a big threat with the Charlie Appleby stable firing on all cylinders again. Silawi has plenty of class for this level and is next on the list.