Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:27 | Winning time: 2m 47.81s

(3)

Dubai Honour^t¹²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 118

2/1

Four-time Group 1 winner. Showed he's still capable of very smart form when going close to another in Australia in March. Respectable fourth of 7 in another Group 1 there in April. The one to beat.

Form: 2212-24

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Gamrai⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: George Scott| OR: 103

11/2

Has developed into a smart handicapper this year, winning at Kempton before second to Daiquiri Bay in strong contests at Newmarket (1½m) and Royal Ascot (1¾m; beaten a head). First run for new stable after being sold from John & Thady Gosden.

Form: 124-122

(4)

Tabletalk^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Tom Clover| OR: 112| BF

5/2

Two near misses in listed/Group 3 events over 1¾m at York (good to firm) this summer, going down by a head to Mount Atlas latterly (finished narrowly ahead of him first occasion). Receives 3 lb from his old rival this time so he's weighted to get the better of him. Cheekpieces are refitted.

Form: 32-2522

(2)

Wine Dark Sea³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: H Crouch| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 100| BF

7/2

Has taken his form up to a useful level since handicapping, winning 1½m handicaps at Ascot and Carlisle (by 13 lengths) at the start of the summer. Bit below form when fifth of 10 in valuable handicap at Newmarket (1¾m, good to firm, 5/6) 36 days ago. Has something to find at this level.

Form: 162-115

(5)

Rebel Rocker⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 103

10/1

Won on 1m Kempton debut last November. Left that bare form behind when 2½ lengths second in Epsom listed race (1¼m, good) on return in April. Good 9¾ lengths sixth of 13 to Christmas Day in Derby back there (1½m, soft) in June. Could be more to come from this low-mileage sort.

Form: 1-26

Non-Runners

(6)

Mount Atlas³⁵

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: A M Balding J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Dubai Honour (2/1), Tabletalk (5/2), Mount Atlas (10/3), Wine Dark Sea (7/2), Gamrai (11/2), Rebel Rocker (10/1)

DUBAI HONOUR's Australian efforts in the spring show he's still capable of very smart form as an 8-y-o and he's a potential class act on his return to Britain. On 3 lb better terms, Tabletalk can turn around recent York placings with Mount Atlas and fill the forecast spot.