2.30 You could not fail to be impressed with the way Make Haste won on debut , she powered away from admittedly modest rivals in taking style and her trainer has made his name with breeze up 2 year olds , so knows his stuff. American raider Ultima Grace won under a hand ride on debut and looked a filly with star quality , trainer knows how to win this contest ( won it 4 times ) and she looks very imposing according to my USA contacts in the parade ring prior to that debut. Advised Bets Ultima Grace 1/2 pt ew @ 11’1 firms offering 5 places & Ultima Grace 1/2 pt ew @ 6’1 firms offering 5 places
3.05 Illinois could be a class apart from these rivals , he was well backed at Lingfield when chasing home the Derby 2nd that day ( became unbalanced on track ) & did well to finish well clear of the rest ( 3rd won a Listed race next time ) & that is by far the best form on offer in this. Advised Bet Illinois 2pt win @ 9’4
3.45 Laurel comes from a yard that has taken this contest that has won two of the last four renewals. She did to fire when last seen in the Group 1 Lockinge last year , off since this is a step down in class from that and she looked very good prior & I could see her bouncing back to form in what looks a weak Group 2 . Advised Bet Laurel 3/4 pt ew @ 9’2 / 4’1 firms offering 4 places
4.25 The two at the head of this market are far from bomb proof and both have disappointed on more that one occasion , so at short odds they look worth taking on . Alflaila was highly progressive in 2022 (bar a modest run at this meeting when poorly drawn ) and added a Group 2 success at York last July; had only one other race as 4yo, when about 3l fifth of eight to Auguste Rodin in Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, in a detached last for most of the way but running on well and that form gives him a very good chance in this. Advised Bet Alfaila 1/2 pt ew @ 8’1
5.05 Real Gain is a lightly raced 4yo who was impressive at Newmarket last September; made late headway from rear in the Spring Cup on sole outing this season; bought by Wathnan Racing since; appears to have been targeted at this prize and looks poised to resume his improvement. Bless Him is a stalwart of this contest ( ran in it 3 times & very well to finish 5th last year ). He needs things to drop right but has the right man on board for that and is lower in the weights this time around. Coeur d’Or should be suited by the return to 1m with Curragh reappearance under his belt; bagged two notable handicaps on home soil last August; came up short off this mark over C&D in October but that was on soft ground but may fare better on this forecast faster surface for a master trainer who does not miss much when taking the journey to these shores. Advised Bets Real Gain 1/2 pt ew @ 10’1 / 9’1 firms offering 6 places, Bless Him 1/2 pt ew @ 22’1 / 20 ‘1 firms offering 6 places & Coeur d’Or 1/2 pt ew @ 12’1 / 10’1 firms offering 6 places
5.40 Elim was an eye catcher on her Redcar reappearance and the form has been boosted, with her strong-travelling style promising to lend itself to a race like this. Aurora Dawn was a lot better than the result when back on grass at Goodwood travelling strongly but repeatedly denied a run towards the rail until it was all too late; stays 1m well and has eve been dropped a pound for that run. Advised Bets Elim 1/2 pt ew @ 7’1 firms offering 6 places & Aurora Dawn 1/2 pt ew @ 12’1 firms offering 6 places
6.15 The jockey booking on American raider Cheval de Guerre catches the eye , Showed blistering speed when beaten just a neck on debut at Keeneland in April; sold for $450,000 a day later (remains in the same yard); Oisin Murphy rides this US challenger and he could prove tough to catch now down to a bare 5. Ain’t Nobody won on debut at Carlisle in good style ; his dam was second in the 2020 Silver Wokingham here (and was effective on fast ground) and Jamie Spencer excels on this straight course. Advised Bets Ain’t Nobody 1/2 pt ew @ 18’1 firms offering 5 places & Cheval de Guerre 1/2 pt ew @ 18’1 firms offering places