A fascinating race over 5f on good ground. Ten contest this Class 1 race worth £22,684 to the winner. Predominantly a field of colts: seven juveniles who have raced at Listed class or higher.
Roger Varian is a credit to his mentor, the late Michael Jarvis, exceptional in his training of juveniles, specific in their targets. Morawij, a chestnut colt by Exceed And Excel, is a superb specimen of a horse: powerful with a fluent, efficient stride. He ran on well to win over 6f on debut at Haydock. However, a drop to the minimum these last two races left no doubt this juvenile is just as strong over 5f. A fourth placed effort when competing in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot sets the standard for others to achieve. This February foal showed his well being when triumphant in at Sandown's Dragon Stakes (Listed). Varian is a calculated trainer. I would respect the chances of this juvenile who is progressing with racing. The horse to beat.
Jadanna must be the apple of James Given's eye. Although defeated on her last two starts, she battles hard and certainly gained respect as one of the best fillies seen this season. This daughter of Mujadil won easily on debut and then took the Hilary Needler Stakes. She is versatile on all going, which will probably see her well in the latter stages of the season. Finishing fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) losing by three length shows ample ability but also, perhaps, points to her Achilles heel. I wonder if she will struggle running over this minimum trip on faster ground. Givens may have thought as much when attempting the Cherry Hinton Stakes (Group 2). A supreme effort. Her chance depends on sitting handy and keeping tabs on the leaders. This filly may sneak a place.However, I would fear this could happen all too fast.
Hototo is another high flyer from Kevin Ryan's stable. This son of Sleeping Indian is a consistent juvenile who enjoys varied going. He showed a game attitude to win the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed). That was a tight finish, with a couple of juveniles re-opposing today. Irish raider, Dylanbaru clawed up the Ascot hill and may well have a fighting chance of deposing Hototo. While fourth placed Bungleinthejungle looked to hold every chance until headed in the final strides. The fortunes of each horse depend on how this race is run and tactics will play their part.
Lyric Ace was brushed aside by Hototo et al at Royal Ascot, albeit strongly fancied to go well. However, connections must have felt that running was all wrong because she was fancied to show her worth in the Weatherby's Super Sprint. She ran a stormer, finishing just half a length behind Hototo. Ryan's juvenile is weighted to beat her once more but this may be far from straightforward.
Dominate is another represntative for Richard Hannon - a lightly-raced colt. This son of Assertive ran well on debut behind King Dragon. He then won in ready fashion at Sandown when dropping to the minimum trip. Assessing a winning juvenile is never easy because they have the potential to go onwards and upwards. However, that was a small race and beyond the runner-up the others were limited. At the odds, I would rather take a watching brief.
Of the others, Bridge Night has shown promise but has a tendency to pull, which put pay to the hat trick when racing at Listed class. This looks tougher.
Lady Ibrox has done her connections proud. Alan Brown's two-year-old is a speedy daughter of Ishiguru who could well have many struggling for pace. On balance, she doesn't have the class to disrupt the leading lights.
Sand And Deliver is a good-looking filly who caught my eye on debut. She ran well at Windsor although Liam Keniry clearly went too fast when attempting to beat the sound barrier. The first and second were in a different league. However, Star Up In The Sky went on to finished second at Wolverhampton. Peter Crate's youngster was fancied to go well next time over course and distance but pulled much too hard. This daughter of Royal Applause is much better than that but, in truth, a difficult horse to assess. On balance, it would be a surprise to see her go close. In addition, she could have temperamental issues.
Conclusion: I rarely bet in top-class races, appreciating the performance rather than monetary gain. However, Morawij looks a talented two-year-old. There is something about the physique of this colt which puts these in the shade. He was literally bristling with energy at Sandown. A talented juvenile. I have slight concerns that Jadanna may struggle to keep tabs on a few of these speedy types and could be better over 6f. She will need to sit handy or have the race run at a frantic pace and claw back the ground. The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) featured a number of talented juvenile but picking between them could be a test in itself. Hototo has just edge on paper but Dylanbaru may run on with purpose and a danger. A watching race for me.