Maraahel looked like landing the fourtimer but was nabbed close home by the race fit Championship Point, had he had a run before he would probably have prevailed.
Multidimensional didn't quicken when asked & may now have his own ideas about the game although Ted Durcan had him that far back I suspect he thought he was riding Pegasus.
Doctor Freemantle improved from his handicap debut to land the Chester Vase & time will show how high the level of form is but I don't see any of these winning a big race.
Dee Stakes
10.5f
Group3
Alexandros has 4 stars
Achill Island & Midnight Muse have 2 stars.
Alexandros was with Andre Fabre as a 2yo & improved all the time, winning at Listed & Group3 before rounding off with a 2.5l third in the Group1 Prix Morny beaten by Myboycharlie & the 1000 Guineas winner Natagora.
Achill Island also has some Group form with a second in the Group2 Royal Lodge at Ascot & then the same placing in the Breeders Cup juvenile Turf, both on softish ground. Seemed to flounder in the mud on his return in France & his one win so far was when racing on good ground for the only time but that was just a Tipperary maiden. Interesting to see how he goes today on this much faster surface.
Midnight Muse takes a huge leap up in class here & is hard to fancy.
Of the rest.
Tajaaweed won his maiden FTO last year then was chucked in the deep end in the Racing Post Trophy & was tenth of twelve. Likely to improve this season but others have classier form so far.
North Parade & Unnefer both need to improve on form so far & the latter is quite exposed having had six runs already.
Normally I'd be backing Alexandros here but with my dislike of the track & more importantly the poor showing from the stable so far this is a leave alone.
Ormonde Stakes
13.5f 4yo+
Group3
Raincoat has 3 stars
Raincoat looked progressive early last season with a minor win & a decent second to Authorized in the Dante. Never challenged in the French Derby but then ran well in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood beaten about a length which looked a fair St Leger trial. Ended up last at Doncaster though appearing not to stay but may just have had enough for he season. Won a minor stakes at Ripon on return which is not much cop on bare form but stable is in good nick & he should go well here.
Of the rest.
Macarthur should improve as most of O'Brien's have done for his return run at the Curragh. In front of Raincoat in the St Leger but he's only won once & that was on his one 2yo start & has looked a bit one paced which won't help on this sharp track.
Red Gala is one of those older Stoute horses thats moved up from handicaps to Group level but so far doesn't look quite up to it.
Tempelstern is another upped in class & was a fair third at this level FTO this season at Newbury. Soft ground that day & both wins so far have come with cut in the ground.
I was going to leave this race alone too but the 6/1 at
Paddy Power for Raincoat is a big price in a weak looking race & is worth a small wager.
Bet. Raincoat 20pts @ 6/1 Paddy Power.
Rio.