Racecards
14:30 Ascot
Jersey Stakes (Class A)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Firm
Rimrod (USA)
12- Form 110-431
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
held up towards rear, headway wide over 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
- Form 31-10
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
started slowly, held up towards rear, headway wide over 2f out, soon hard ridden and weakened final furlong
Arakan (USA)
36- Form 23-121
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
close up, led inside final 2f, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
- Form 65-31
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
chased leaders, effort 3f out, weakened under pressure 1f out
- Form 01-1
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey Richard Hughes
held up behind, headway wide and short lived effort over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
- Form 010-150
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
dwelt, towards rear, headway on the rails to chase leaders 2f out, hung right, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong, switched right, kept on
Ketan
47- Form 113-00
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer P A Blockley
- Jockey J F Egan
with leader to 3f out, soon weakened and tailed off over 1f out
- Form 123062
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey Gary Stevens
held up mid-division, headway well over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, comfortable
Naahy
12- Form 52-0112
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey J P Spencer
narrow leader, ridden and headed 2f out, gradually weakened under pressure
Presto Vento
11- Form 30-0015
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Pat Eddery
started slowly, always behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
- Form 21-0
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Mick Kinane
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no response and soon beaten
Saturn (IRE)
25- Form 115-454
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey D Holland
chased leaders, led briefly 2f out, soon headed and weakened final furlong
Somnus
49- Form 51111-5
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey Ted Durcan
in touch, effort 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened 1f out
Wizard of Noz
236- Form 133-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer J Noseda
- Jockey C Soumillon
held up mid-division, headway and every chance 1f out, not quickened inside final furlong
Verdict
Salt Lake City is the selected O'Brien runner from four entries and he, along with the likes of Guineas also-rans Saturn, Desert Destiny and Tante Rose make this an intriguing contest, but a chance is taken with the unexposed Arakan, who is fast improving. Sir Michael Stoute's Nureyev colt, so impressive when landing a handicap at the Dante meeting, has plenty to do on the face of it, but he is clearly on the upgrade and will have conditions to suit. Desert Destiny didn't cut much ice in either the French or Irish 2000 Guineas, but they were both run on ground with plenty of cut in it and he will appreciate the faster conditions here. He will be a tough nut to crack. Tante Rose, who failed to stay in the 1000 Guineas, will be better suited by this trip, but she face a stiff task against the colts with her Group 3 penalty. Useful juvenile Somnus, who claimed the scalp of subsequent Dewhurst hero Tout Seul, would have a chance second to none if reproducing that effort, but he didn't shape with much promise on his comeback and has plenty to prove at present. Saturn is interesting over this trip, as he hasn't quite got home in either our Guineas or the Irish equivilent. There is little between Rimrod and Naahy on their running at Epsom, but neither should be good enough in this, a comment which also applies to Membership and Presto Vento. A Very Good Year is open to improvement, but will need to, while Blazing Thunder is also unexposed. Salt Lake City has yet to tackle a fast surface, but is worthy of respect as is Wizard Of Noz, who represents last years winner stable.