TimeformBlog

European challengers Cape Blanco and Wigmore Hall feature among the ten declarations for the Grade 1 Arlington Million (due off 23:15 BST) in Chicago on Saturday night.


Aidan O'Brien's Cape Blanco (Timeform rated 124), returns to America in a bid to follow up his Man o'War win at Belmont Park last month. The Ballydoyle colt defeated top American horse Gio Ponti (123) by 2¼ lengths that day but will have to be at his very best to confirm that form, bearing in mind that Gio Ponti, who won the Arlington Million in 2009 and was beaten into second last year by John Gosden's Debussy, wasn't seen to best effect at Belmont having been held up off a steady pace.

Jamie Spencer is again likely to take the ride on Cape Blanco for O'Brien, while Hayley Turner will be making the trip to America to partner Wigmore Hall (125) for her boss Michael Bell.

Wigmore Hall has also run in the USA before, finishing runner-up to Paddy O'Prado in the Secretariat at the corresponding meeting last year. Wigmore Hall has improved again this year, winning the Jebel Hatta and third in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March, but has still to win at the highest level and wasn't at his best in the Singapore International Airlines Cup at Kranji last time.

Gio Ponti will be attempting to become only the second ever horse to win the Arlington Million twice, along with John Henry (1981 & 1984), and is joined by other North American-based entries in the shape of Dean's Kitten, General Perfect, Mission Approved, Proceed Bee, Rahystrada and the ex-Sir Michael Stoute-trained Tajaaweed.

The entries are completed by French raider Zack Hall (119?), who finished fourth in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time.

Also on the Arlington card on Saturday night is the Beverley D. Stakes (due off 22:33), in which Mike de Kock's River Jetez (120) faces defending champion Éclair de Lune (119). The South African mare has added the Group 2 Balanchine in Dubai to her CV this year, and also finished a highly creditable second in the aforementioned Singapore Cup.

Jean-Claude Rouget's former inmate Stacelita (121) will be making her debut for US-based trainer Chad Brown, while Gerard Butler, who has a satellite yard in Chicago, will be represented by Pachattack (117), a Grade 3 winner at Arlington in May.

Willcox Inn, who beat subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in a maiden last year, goes in the Secretariat (due off 21:52) as he bids to become the fourth ever horse to complete Arlington's mid-America Triple, having already landed the Arlington Classic and the American Derby.

He could face competition from the Aidan O'Brien pair Roderic O'Connor (119) and Treasure Beach (123), winners of this year's Irish Guineas and Derby respectively, though the latter is reportedly the more likely of the duo to stand his ground.

The post-position draw for all three Arlington races will be made on Tuesday


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This listed race for fillies has attracted a good quality field. Timeform go through the runners....


Seta got back on the up when winning a listed race over a mile at Goodwood on her reappearance. She struggled in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot last time, but this is easier and the step up in trip will suit.

Anna Salai won a Group 3 for Andre Fabre and was just touched off on her debut for Godolphin in the Irish 1000 Guineas. She was no match for Seta on her reappearance and subsequently flopped at Royal Ascot.

Bea Remembered was much improved on her first try at this trip for Brian Meehan in June, easily winning a handicap at Doncaster. She hasn't seemed to get home over this sort of trip on easy ground the last twice, though.

Fanditha thrived on the all-weather earlier in the year, winning two handicaps around this trip. Her progress has continued in the face of some stiff tasks since, but she liable to find a few too strong here.

Opera Gal made up into a useful performer in 2010 and has carried on the good work this time round, making the frame in three handicaps prior to picking up some black type at Newmarket last time.

Piano made more progress when bolting up in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Yarmouth in May and has run to a similar level in this grade on her last two starts. If there is more improvement to come, it might be over further.

Silver Grey was often highly tried last year, and didn't disgrace herself in pattern company on a few occasions. She got back on track this term when comfortably winning a handicap at Sandown last week, but much more is needed back up in grade.

Charleston Lady showed a good turn of foot when getting off the mark at the second time of asking in a maiden at Kempton in October. She progressed again when runner-up at Newmarket on her reappearance in May and her latest flop is excusable on account of both trip and ground.

Clinical made a promising start when winning a maiden at Doncaster last summer. She showed she can make an impact at a higher level when third in a Group 3 at Epsom on her reappearance and soft ground is an excuse for a tame effort at Royal Ascot last time. She should stay a mile and a quarter.

Humdrum did well as a two-year-old and has continued on the upgrade this year, readily accounting for a subsequent winner on her reappearance at Kempton in June. She was a beaten favourite at Royal Ascot next time and needs to get back on the up to take this.

Imperial Pippin showed a likeable attitude when making a winning debut in April and has shown better form when in the frame in this grade on her next three starts. She looks a stayer, so this drop back in trip isn't sure to suit.

Primevere made an impressive start when winning at Kempton in October and has quickly developed into a useful fully, finishing second in this grade the last twice. She does need to pull out more here, though.


Timeform 1-2-3:

1. Seta
2. Clinical
3. Humdrum


Timeform View: Seta has often failed to deliver on the big occasion but she has a flawless record in listed company and this trip should suit her well. Clinical and Humdrum may provide the stiffest opposition.


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Three more selections from the Timeform Free Form Website, with the bet of the day at Nottingham this evening...

Spock ran-out and was beaten favourite on his latest start, but he can put that misdemeanor behind him at Newton Abbot this afternoon (14:45) and land the handicap chase. He was fortunate to open his account at Stratford on his penultimate start, with the leader crashing out at the last fence, but Spock is still open to improvement and possibly a little better than his current mark gives him credit for. Paul Nicholls has been in very good from so far this season, with a 35% strike rate, and this gelding is capable of adding to his list of winners. Of the others, Horseshoe Reef is likely to provide the greatest challenge, given his return to form of late, but he doesn't have the same scope for progress as the selection.

Jivry is our second selection of the afternoon, and she can improve for her seasonal reappearance to land the staying handicap at Nottingham (17:45), despite having gone up 3lb in the weights for that display. This is only the fourth start of her career, and the Henry Candy filly looks open to progression having seemed a little fresh last time out. Her pedigree suggests the step up in trip to 14 furlongs will also suit, as did the way she shaped last time, demonstrated battling qualities late on in a race where she was narrowly beaten by Samson's Son. If all goes to plan then Jivry is capable of making her mark today before going on to better things.

Gold City is admittedly a short price, but he looks to be a colt of some promise and, given the late withdrawal of Lord of The Shadows, should have little trouble following up his maiden win with another victor in the novice event at Nottingham. Gold City looks likely to improve from his only start to date, having travelled well and responded to a hands and heels ride, and he is open to more improvement than the two he is up against.


Recommendations:

Back Spock @ 4.2 in the 14:45 at Newton Abbot
Back Jivry @ 5.3 in the 17:45 at Nottingham
Back Gold City @ 1.66 in the 18:15 at Nottingham


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Timeform look back over an interesting weekend with team Ireland winning the Shergar Cup, a big shock in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh and a very promising filly emerging from the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket...


The Shergar Cup attracted 30,765 people this year and very few would have been disappointed with the exciting finish that concluded the afternoon. Going into the last race, Ireland were last in the team competition and were someway adrift of Britain and Rest of the World but a points tally of 28 in the final race helped them leapfrog the field and land the team prize for a third consecutive year.

The Silver Saddle was won on the afternoon by Paul Hanagan of Great Britain, who began the afternoon with a victory, taking the opening race aboard Sarrsar for Saeed Bin Suroor before finishing second in the next on Woolfall Treasure. Mirco Demuro finished joint-second in the silver saddle with Hugh Bowman and Colm O'Donoghue but managed one of the most impressive wins of the afternoon as Averroes won the Shergar Cup Challenge by two and a half lengths.

Besides the Shergar Cup there were also two Group 3 races on Saturday afternoon. Kieren Fallon took the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock with Class Is Class, the pair running out impressive three and a half lengths winners over Elusive Pimpernel. This was the gelding's first Group win but given the ease in which he won, a return to better Company may not be too unrealistic. This was also Fallon's first winner of the season for Sir Michael Stoute but the chances are he may be called upon in future by the Newmarket trainer with Ryan Moore sidelined until late September at the earliest.

The Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket completed the Pattern action on Saturday afternoon and Godolphin took the race for the third consecutive year with Discourse, who produced the best performance by a juvenile filly this year. Discourse had beaten subsequent Cherry Hinton winner Gamilati in her maiden and followed up here with a four and a half lengths win over Lily's Angel, who herself brought a useful level of form into the race. The Fillies' Mile may be next on the agenda for Discourse and given her victory here this impressive filly looks to be a Group 1 contender in the making, currently trading at 8.6 for next season's 1000 Guineas.

The best racing of the weekend came on Sunday afternoon over in Ireland with no fewer than four Group contests at the Curragh. The ultra-tough Royal Ascot winner Banimpire took the first pattern race of the afternoon, landing the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes by three parts of a length ahead of Dunboyne Express with Mutahadee back in third.

The second Group 2 race of the day, taking place just over an hour later, was won by Maybe, representing Ballydoyle and Aiden O'Brien. This filly was always prominent under Joseph O'Brien in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes and she quickened clear impressively going on to score by two and a half lengths from Yellow Rosebud in second. This victory saw her price contract for next season's 1000 Guineas for which she is now priced 6.4.

The Phoenix Stakes followed on from this contest and was the feature race of the afternoon. Ballydoyle once again possessed a strong hand with the unbeaten Royal Ascot winner, Power, starting favourite for this Group 1. Power ran well and looked the likely winner before being caught in the final stages by outsider La Collina, who quickened well to catch the leader and runner-up in the final stages. She's up there with Maybe in terms of form and will reportedly clash with that rival in the Moyglare Stud Stakes back at the Curragh.

A final pattern contest on the afternoon came in the penultimate race and Deacon Blues ran out a very impressive seven-length winner of the Phoenix Sprint Stakes, running to a big rating in the process. This was his second consecutive win in Group 3 company and given the style and substance of the success, he looks ready to make an impact in an even higher grade.

Over in France Dream Ahead was disappointing in the Prix Maurice De Gheest finishing only seventh in a race dominated by Freddie Head's four-length winner Moonlight Cloud. Society Rock ridden by Pat Cosgrave finished second for Britain with Genki back in fourth.

The German Oaks at Dusseldorf completed the weekend's racing and there was another success for Kieren Fallon as he landed the race aboard Dancing Rain, who didn't need to match the form she had showed when winning the Epsom Oaks to made all in ready fashion.


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This year's Ebor Festival at York runs from Wednesday August 17 to Saturday August 20. Timeform take you through the highlights of the four days on the Knavesmire...


The traditional Ebor Meeting gets under way on Wednesday rather than Tuesday this year, but the day one feature remains the same, namely the Juddmonte International Stakes, which is part of the British Champion Series. Aidan O'Brien has trained two of the last three International winners with Rip Van Winkle successful last year and Duke of Marmalade victorious in 2008, and the master of Ballydoyle has a leading chance this year with Await The Dawn currently heading the ante-post market at 2.1

Await The Dawn heads to York on the back of a career best having won impressively last time in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot where he posted a rating of 128, beating the subsequent one-two in the Glorious Stakes, Harris Tweed and Drunken Sailor. Await The Dawn is still fairly lightly-raced for a 4-y-o, having had just six career starts, and will arrive at York on a steep upward curve.

Winner of the Group 2 York Stakes last time out, Twice Over will return to York bidding to atone for what was arguably an unlucky second up in last year's renewal of the International when he was caught in the final strides by Rip Van Winkle having just got the better of a battle with Byword. Twice Over has been a little bit below his best this year, struggling in both the Lockinge Stakes and the Prince of Wales' Stakes prior to his York Stakes win, but if back to his very best he is very much a player at Group 1 level, as his wins in the last two Champion Stakes testify.

The feature race on Thursday afternoon is the Yorkshire Oaks which seems to revolve around a Nassau Stakes rematch between Midday, Snow Fairy and Crystal Capella with three-year-old Blue Bunting being the main contender from the classic generation.

Midday was the ready winner over 10f at Goodwood but the step up to 12f will be to the advantage of her main opponents with Crystal Capella being particularly inconvenienced last time by the shorter trip over the sharp Goodwood course. That said, Midday was an impressive winner of this race 12 months ago when beating Snow Fairy by three lengths and comes here rated 126, 1 lb higher than her nearest rival Crystal Capella, with Snow Fairy a further 2 lb adrift. As a result Midday is currently trading as favourite, available at 2.86 with Crystal Capella 5.7 and Snow Fairy 7.4

Blue Bunting is a dual-classic winner having won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket before bouncing back from a poor run in the Epsom Oaks to win the Irish equivalent at the Curragh and will probably be the main three-year-old contender ahead of the likes of Wonder of Wonders, Banimpire and Misty For Me.

Blue Bunting is currently rated 118 for performances in those two classics, putting her 8 lb behind Midday but this younger filly could easily be expected to improve by that kind of margin and goes to York with every chance, especially when allowing for the favourable weight-for-age allowance given to 3-y-os at this time of year, and is currently second favourite behind Midday at 4.8.

The Nunthorpe is one of the highlights of the summer racing calendar and this year's renewal looks to be a particularly interesting contest with the Stewards' Cup winner and supplementary entry Hoof It currently heading the ante-post market at 4.5. Hoof It has made rapid progress in the handicap division this season, marking himself as a Group 1 sprinter in the making last time out at Goodwood and is currently rated 128 by Timeform, which will make him top-rated for the Nunthorpe.

Also prominent in the ante-post market and rated 125 is last year's surprise winner Sole Power, who is much more fancied for this season's renewal and is currently trading at 7.4. Sole Power is as good as ever this year, matching his Nunthorpe-winning form when landing the Temple Stakes at Haydock. Sole Power disappointed last time out but the stiff track and the easier ground at Royal Ascot were two factors he would have found compromising and given the sharper York track and his preferred sounder surface Sole Power holds excellent claims in this renewal.

Two-year-olds have been relatively successful in the Nunthorpe in recent years, largely owing to the fact they receive upwards of 20 lb from the older horses and the impressive Norfolk Stakes winner Bapak Chinta is set to be the main representative from this generation. This progressive Kevin Ryan-trained two-year-old, currently trading at 7.4, has an abundance of speed and should go close if he improves by the smallest of margins given that he isn't far off the top-rated runners in the race when weight-adjusted ratings are considered.

Another leading player on form is Bated Breath who posted a career-best effort when runner-up to Dream Ahead last time out in the July Cup. While Bated Breath is no doubt a high-class colt, the question with him is whether the raw speed test over 5f at York will be too sharp given that he has done all his racing to date over 6f, producing his best effort on a stiff track at Newmarket.

The Ebor is the most valuable handicap in Europe and is the feature on the final day of the York meeting with this year's renewal as competitive as ever. Currently heading the ante-post market at 8.0 and 1 lb clear top on adjusted Timeform ratings is Lost In The Moment, who is clearly ahead of his mark judged on the improved form he showed when arguably an unlukcy second to Opinion Poll in last week's Goodwood Cup. Also prominent is another Goodwood runner-up in Modun, who has finished second in his last two starts over 10f and should relish the step up in trip. He has progressed throughout the season, posting a career best of his own last time, and can currently be backed at 7.0.

Another that is prominent in the betting is Saptapadi, who was fifth behind Twice Over in the York Stakes over a 10f on his latest start. That trip is almost certainly on the sharp side for Saptapadi and he could well relish the extra four furlongs of the Ebor having already put in a solid performance over 2m when runner-up in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown last season.



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Three selections from the Timeform Free Form Website to kick off another week.


Highlife Dancer (14.30) can get back to winning ways in a weak handicap at Lingfield. Mick Channon's charge caught a tartar in Watered Silk when bidding for a hat-trick at Bath last week, and had previously taken well to the unconventional track at Lingfield, winning a pair of a mile and a quarter handicaps in the space of ten days in July and finding plenty both occasions. There's been rain in Surrey, so the forecast good to soft conditions should mean the drop back in trip won't inconvenience Highlife Dancer too much.

Pride and Joy (16.15), high up on this year's list of Glorious Goodwood 'hard luck stories', can take the nursery at Wolverhampton. The Brighton winner is ahead of his mark judged on that Goodwood effort, where he cruised into contention from the rear only to run into a group of weakening horses at a crucial stage. He was flying once he got clear and has to go close today.

One of the best punting angles in the last few seasons has been to back Brian Meehan's juveniles second time out, and there was enough promise from Symphony Time (19.00) on her debut to suggest she could uphold that record at Thirsk this evening. Well-bred, being a close relation to the Falmouth winner Timepiece, Symphony Time shaped a lot better than the beaten margin might suggest at Doncaster, keeping on strongly amidst greenness. She'll leave that run behind.


Recommendations

Back Highlife Dancer @ 4.0 Lingfield 14.30
Back Pride and Joy @ 4.4 Wolverhampton 16.15
Back Symphony Time @ 6.0 Thirsk 19.00

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Aidan O'Brien has won this race on 11 separate occasions and has leading hopes again. There are strong challengers coming over from Britain, however, for a race that may provide punters with some early clues for next season's 2000 Guineas...


O'Brien's leading Phoenix hope seems to be Power, currently heading the market and also featuring prominently in next season's 2000 Guineas betting 13.0.

Power has given a good account of himself so far this season winning a five-furlong listed race at the Curragh before narrowly holding off Roman Soldier to land the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He comes into the race with a progressive profile and, given his breeding, should have every chance of developing into an even more impressive three-year-old, but there's a feeling his price on Sunday reflects his reputation and connections as much as what he's achieved.

Frederick Engels is Timeform top-rated for Sunday's contest and joint-second favourite behind Power in the betting. Frederik Engels has won each of his last three starts, including the Windsor Castle over five furlongs at Royal Ascot and the July Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket. He beat Roman Soldier by a length on that occasion, a margin of victory greater than Power was able to achieve when beating the same rival in the Coventry, and at the prices he looks a value alternative to the Ballydoyle favourite.

Also representing Britain is the Richard Hannon-trained Lilbourne Lad, who was victorious in the Group 2 Railway Stakes over course and distance last time. He quickened well a furlong out and was possibly value for a little bit more than the ¾ length margin over the reopposing Tough As Nails suggested, but arguably doesn't have as much improvement left in him as some.

Gatepost and Reply are likely to prove the best of the rest in this contest, and both bring a useful level of form with them. Gatepost was the winner of his opening two starts before finishing fifth in the Coventry last time, and while it is difficult to see him reversing the form with Power, he could still run a big race. Reply looks to be the Ballydoyle second string in this contest, but he won a maiden very impressively on his second start and comes into this race open to plenty of improvement.


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Midsummer Fair made an impressive debut in the Wood Ditton, but has not gone on at all, admittedly facing stiff task in French Guineas next time, but then beaten long way at Doncaster. Plenty to prove now handicapping.

Roman Eagle was a dual winner at 2 yrs and made an encouraging return when sixth in strong 1m handicap at the Newmarket July meeting. Will probably stay further, but looks capable of better whatever the trip.

Maraheb got off the mark on his return with taking success in 1m maiden at Newmarket. Beaten only a length by thriving Emilio Largo at Salisbury next time, but this looks a fair bit tougher. Tongue tie tried.

Seattle Drive was a debut winner at Newmarket but needs to learn to settle, albeit shaping a bit better in valuable Ascot 1m handicap last time. Could have more to offer.

Baptist was a Newbury maiden winner on debut and was back on the up when in front of Roman Eagle and Seattle Drive in Newmarket handicap last time. Not hard to see him taking a hand again here.

No Poppy is a tough filly who has bounced right back to best of late, winning Leicester claimer in May and runner-up in handicaps last 3 starts. Looks vulnerable up in trip in this grade, however.

Early Applause dead-heated for first place in 1m maiden at Ripon in May. Another good effort in Nottingham handicap last time, but 2 lb rise in tougher race likely to do for him.

Ingleby Exceed has been much improved sincejoining David O'Meara, landing competitive 1m apprentice handicap at York last month. This tougher, while she tends to race lazily, but can't be ruled out.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Baptist
2. Roman Eagle
3. Seattle Drive

Timeform View: A 3-y-o handicap that's likely to prove solid. The Newmarket race won by Albaasil could prove the key piece of form with Baptist (third), Roman Eagle (sixth) and Seattle Drive (eighth) all fancied to make their mark. It could be that they'll finish in that order again. The thriving Ingleby Exceed is another to consider.

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There was enough to like about the performance of Bikini Babe (18.00) at Goodwood last week to think she could get back to winning ways dropped in grade at Kempton this evening. Bikini Babe has just a 2009 Sandown maiden win to her name, but was twice placed in Group 3s last season, and has been given a real chance by the handicapper ahead of what looks her easiest assignment for some time. Effective on polytrack, she has the services of apprentice Daryl Byrne in the saddle taking 3 lb off tonight, and the Young Irishman has quickly made a name for himself since joining Mark Johnston's yard at the start of the year.

There's a bit of 'will he, won't he?' surrounding Planetoid (20.00) who has been a non-runner several times in the last few weeks. He is due to run at Kempton this evening, and if he finally does make his handicap debut then he should be backed. Planetoid caught the eye in maidens in the spring and some of the form he brings to the table is impressive, having chased home Colombian at Chester in May, and then Gordon Stakes third Hunter's Light at Newmarket. The step up in trip is sure to suit Planetoid who could make light work of an opening mark of 74.

Connections of Tim Easterby's popular sprinter Hamish Mcgonagall look to have another smart one in their care with the Malton handler in the shape of Little Jimmy Odsox (15.20), and the three-year-old is fancied to maintain his unbeaten record at Newcastle this afternoon. He had a subsequent winner behind on his debut at Doncaster and finished strongly to land a five-furlong Redcar handicap last month. With more improvement to come, Little Jimmy Odsox should make light of a 5 lb rise.

Recommendations
Back Little Jimmy Odsox @ 2.12 Newcastle 15.20
Back Bikini Babe @ 4.5 Kempton 18.00
Back Planetoid @ 3.2 Kempton 20.00

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Conciliatory won a Kempton maiden and a York handicap last season. Her improvement has stalled since and she is now tried in cheekpieces after running poorly when last seen in June.

Rondeau is a free-going hold-up handicapper who nabbed his second success of the year in a seven-furlong handicap at Epsom last time. His previous attempts at this sort of trip haven't borne fruit, however.

Mujood is a Goodwood specialist who registered his sixth success at that track last September. He has made no impact this year though, and virtually refused to race last time.

Night Lily bagged her second win of 2011 at Nottingham last month prior to an even better effort in defeat when two lengths second of 16 to Albaqaa in an apprentice event at Glorious Goodwood. She tops the shortlist on the back of that.

Hail Promenader has been resurgent this year, winning at Pontefract in April and showing even better form when beating just at nose at Doncaster in June. He was unsuited by the drop back to seven furlongs last time and has since left Barry Hills for 12,000 gns.

First Cat has had a few near misses in handicaps since his sole win back in 2009 and was staying on when sixth of 20 in a seven-furlong ladies event at Ascot last time. He has an awkward way of going about things (reportedly blind in one eye) but is weighted to be thereabouts.

Dazeen is a hold-up performer who has turned over a new leaf this year, winning a maiden at Catterick and following up in handicaps at Haydock and Ripon. He needs to improve again to defy this career-high mark.

King's Colour won a handicap over a mile at Epsom last summer off a 3 lb higher mark, but hasn't been seen since January and it's asking plenty to win a race as competitive as this off the back of such an absence.

Bold Marc ended a losing run at Hamilton in May and was able to dominate when winning an apprentice event at Haydock on his penultimate start. He went up 7 lb for that and others look better treated as a result.

Rock Anthem is a hold-up sort who won a handicap over a mile at Sandown in 2010. He has only been seen twice this year and his failure to make any impact puts him out of the reckoning for now.

Catalyze won a seven-furlong maiden at Salisbury last summer and has been back to form when third in handicaps over the same trip at Epsom of late, his most recent defeat behind Kingscroft boosted by that one's success at Chester on Sunday.

Captain Macarry won five times around seven furlongs in 2009 for Bryan Smart, but drew a blank for John Quinn last year and has offered precious little encouragement on either start for his new yard this term.

Eastern Gift has won twice on the all-weather this season and has also finished in the frame on numerous occasions. His tendency to hang is always off-putting, though he went with a bit of spark at Newmarket last time and is by no means handicapped out of this.

Green Earth won a claimer over a mile for Amanda Perrett in 2010. He bounced back to form in cheekpieces when winning a course-and-distance handicap last month prior to finding his stamina stretched under more testing conditions last time.

Signora Frasi is a free-going hold-up performer who won here off 7 lb higher in 2010, but hasn't been shaping like a winner in waiting of late, despite some in-frame efforts.

Diddums managed to put his head in front over course-and-distance in My, but has not been in the same form since and others are preferred despite his dropping back to the same mark.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Night Lily
2.    Eastern Gift
3.    First Cat

Timeform View: Night Lily did nothing wrong when second at Goodwood on Saturday and this return to shorter can help her get back to winning ways. Eastern Gift has hit the post a couple of times in previous visits here and together with First Cat are put forward as each-way alternatives.

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