Diomed Stakes
8.5f Group3
3yo+
Alexandros has 3stars
More often than not this is weak race for a Group3 & it has that sort of look about it here.
Majestic Roi Took the Fred Darling FTO last year & the Group1 Sun Chariot on her last run last season. She has a Group1 pen for that which makes life hard & her two runs this year at Nad al Sheba & in the Lockinge have seen her well beaten. Seems to need fast ground & it could be just on the easy side of good today.
Blythe Knight won this last year but that really was a weak race & at 8yo is unlikely to be improving.
Don't Panic won the Spring Mile but was well handicapped there, two seconds in Listed class after & he could be hard to place for a win now.
Dunelight is another who seems to need fast ground to show his best.
Metropolitan Man doesn't win very often & both wins were on g/f.
Mia's Boy is improving & mugged the odds on Lang Shining in a Listed handicap at York LTO, Blythe Knight was 3.5l third there & is a stone better off today & the form looks a bit iffy for me.
Young Pretender won his first two last season including a Longchamp Group3. Then was 5l fifth in the Group1 Grand Criterium at the same course & has since switched to Bin Suroor.
Didn't seem to stay in the Dante on his return & should be suited by the drop in trip, interesting that Dettori is on this one.
Alexandros also had some smart 2yo form when with Andre Farbe last season. Won a Group3 at Deauville & was third in the Group1 Prix Morny at the same course after. Another who didn't seem to stay in the Dee Stakes on his return & will be better at this trip & the ground should be spot on.
3yo's have not won this in the last ten years but three have placed from only seven runners & the two 3yo's look the ones that could be progressive.
Frankie doesn't always get on the right one when they run more than one & of the pair Alexandros looks to have just the better form on what they've shown so far, he's worth a bet.
Bet. Alexandros 30pts @ 11/2 Hills.
Coronation Cup
12f Group1
4yo+
Soldier of Fortune has 4stars
Getaway has 3stars
Soldier of Fortune won the Irish Derby by 9l last season but that was a bit flattering. Won the Prix Niel after & returned to Longchamp for a just over 2l fifth in the Arc, form which ties in with Getaway & Youmzain. A lot of O'Brien's have needed their first run.
Getaway was one place in front of S of F in the Arc & was most impressive in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on his return, powering away from out of the dip. Stays further than this & the ground is right for him, looks the one to beat.
Of the rest.
Red Rocks would need to return to the form which had him winning at the 06 Breeders Cup, not really hit that level of form since & a bit to prove.
Youmzain was in front of the two shortlist horses in the Arc when an unlucky head second to Dylan Thomas & he could be the big danger here.
Fifth at Nad al Sheba was an ok run & Channon's are in better form now.
Getaway looks the one but is too short for me to bet.
The Oaks
12f Group1
3yo Fillies
Chinese White has 4stars
Adored, Clowance, Lush Lashes & Saphira's Fire all have 2stars
Lush Lashes has the best form in the book with a never nearer 2l sixth in the 1000 Guineas followed up by a 5l romp in the Musidora. Should stay the trip but might like it really fast.
Chinese White has 4stars despite only having had two starts the second of which was a Listed race at Gowran Park. Won on fast & soft ground & looks bred to like this trip. Trainer is not one to tilt at windmills & she must go well here.
Murtagh has picked Adored from O'Brien's six. Again they don't always land on the right one of his & he must have been tempted by the Cheshire Oaks winner Sail. The whole bunch are of course very well bred & could all improve for the step up in trip but all have a bit to find on form so far.
Clowance needs to step up on form shown too & all three starts came at Newbury, different kettle of fish here.
Saphira's Fire is two from two & won a 10f Listed race at Newmarket but this looks a big ask here.
Of the rest.
Michita is going the right way & should get the trip.
The one not shortlisted that I would be afraid of is Katiyra who is bred for this & was doing all her best work late on FTO at Leopardstown over 8f.
Oxx is another who doesn't send them over for the day out & Kinane has always been one of my favourite jockeys.
The main bet is Chinese White but I'm having a bit on Katiyra as well.
Bets. Chinese White 40pts @ 5/1 Skybet. Katiyra 20pts @ 13/2 VCbet.
Rio.