Hi all,
The Group 3 Desmond Stakes (6.30) is the highlight of a seven-race good card at Leopardstown. There is also Group 3 action at Salisbury and the Sovereign Stakes (4.05). For those with an interest, It’s also round three of the Racing League at Lingfield this evening.
I have had a look at both Group 3 races and I also have a selection in the last at Leopardstown.
Salisbury
4:05 – D & N Construction Sovereign Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) – 1m
Magellan runner-up to Hurricane Lane in the Dante before running below par in the French Derby. Drops in class here and will be tough to beat if not inconvenienced by the return to a mile. Fairly lightly raced. The 3-year-old takes on some useful but exposed older horses here and looks a worthy favourite to get back on track.
Solid Stone is a useful performer at Listed level and won at Windsor in May. Placed on his last two starts over 1m 2f he will be suited by the drop back to a stiff mile.
Sir Busker goes very well on Ascot’s straight course and put in a career best on RPR’s when a 2 ½ length 3rd of 11 to Palace Pier in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot two starts back. His style of racing means he’s vulnerable in steadily tun races. However, if they go a decent gallop, he’s got the form to be firmly in the mix.
King Vega is having her first start since a gelding operation. The 3-year-old’s best juvenile form came when runner-up in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown 12 months ago. Well beaten on testing ground in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster. He was well below par on his seasonal reappearance in a novice race at Newcastle. Needs to improve to beat the principals but he’s just had the four career starts and if the gelding operation has worked could be capable of rating higher.
Verdict: Magellan looks a worthy favourite but at the prices it may pay to go with Sir Busker and the unexposed King Vega on his first start since a gelding operation.
1pt win – Sir Busker – 7/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – King Vega – 10/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Leopardstown
6:30 – Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes (Group 3) – 1m
Create Belief put in a Group 1 level performance on the figures when powering clear of 20 rivals in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot last time. She’ll be a short-priced favourite to make a winning first start in Group company. However, this will likely be the quickest ground she’s run on in her career and the tempo of the race will be different to a big field handicap.
Military Style made all to win a Group 3 here last August before finishing 9th of 10 in the Group 1 National Stakes over 7f. Hasn’t been seen since so a slight concern as to why he’s been off the track for so long.
A bigger threat to the favourite looks to be the Jessica Harrington trained Real Appeal. The 4-year-old made a successful transition from handicap company to win a Group 3 here in June. He’s been steadily progressive on his three starts this season and has won two of this three starts at Leopardstown. First run beyond a mile but shapes like he will stay.
Verdict: Hard to go against Create Belief after her Royal Ascot win but if the going has good in the going description Real Appeal won’t be far away.
1pt win – Real Appeal – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
7:30 – Annexation, a useful dual-purpose performer for Henry De Bromhead, won a good ground handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan before finishing down the field in the Galway Hurdle last time. Shaped with promise on his sole start on the flat this year when 6th of 11 at the Curragh in May. Form figures on the flat last season were 122 and he looks nicely treated on his ½ length 2nd of 17 behind Sirjack Thomas at Galway last year. Stays a mile well and 1m 1f could prove the optimum for the 5-year-old on the flat.
1pt win – Annexation – 6/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cheers
John