Racecards
14:36 Lingfield Park
BetUK Churchill Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- £50,000 added
- Winner: £28,355
- 2nd: £10,750
- 3rd: £5,380
- 4th: £2,680
- Form 5-41332
- Age 8
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R Kingscote
raced in third, went second 1m out, pushed along 3f out, lost position when outpaced 2f out, soon struggling, weakened to fourth final furlong
- Form 49-3160
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey Oisin Murphy
held up, pushed along towards rear 2f out, went widest and dropped to last home turn, soon struggling, kept on again to make modest gain near finish
- Form 820-515
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer C Appleby
- Jockey James Doyle
went left from stalls and soon led, headed after 1st furlong but remained in touch on inner rail, switched to centre when chased leaders from 2f out, ran on strongly when challenging inside final 50 yards, led final strides, game
- Form 0/45-164
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey R Havlin
towards rear, soon pushed along, rapid headway to lead before 2f out, ridden before 1f out, quickly dropped to third when headed inside final furlong, kept on
- Form 3-29079
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer W J Knight
- Jockey Jim Crowley
midfield, dropped towards rear before 2f out, headway before slightly short of room before 1f out, weakened quickly thereafter
- Form 350-270
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer R Varian
- Jockey David Egan
held up last, switched to inner rail to make rapid headway from 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on but headed final strides, no extra post
- Form 484433
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Rossa Ryan
prominent, led after 1f, pushed along when headed before 2f out, soon weakened
Verdict
Stable stalwart REGAL REALITY (NAP) was still good enough to win the Diomed Stakes at Epsom during the summer and was narrowly beaten in a Group 2 at Newmarket last time. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge is expected to make a bold bid in this. Listed winner Foxes Tales and Forest Of Dean finished behind runner-up Tyrrhenian Sea in the Winter Derby here back in February thought he latter has struggled since while Blue Trail returns from an absence having shot up the weights after winning a tough handicap at Meydan early in the year. Sir Busker has failed to win so far this year while Rousay has plenty to find on these terms.
Formwatch
Regal Reality 16-1 (9-6) Chased winner throughout, strong challenge throughout final furlong, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Mutasaabeq (9-9) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Sep.
Foxes Tales (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 16, 10 1/4l behind Royal Champion (9-8) at Ascot 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Jun.
Blue Trail (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Led 1f, tracked leaders, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 9l behind Ottoman Fleet (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Forest Of Dean 9-4jfav (9-7) Held up in 5th, switched left and effort over 2f out, driven and unable to quicken over 1f out, no impression, went 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Notre Belle Bete (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Sir Busker (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Held up last in centre side group, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off and eased, last of 9, dist behind Highland Avenue (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Tyrrhenian Sea (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Raced near side, held up off the pace towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never, 27th of 34, 11 1/4l behind Astro King (9-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Rousay (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Visibility reduced by bad light, front rank, shaken up over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went third final strides, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Novus (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 3 fll stks (1) sft in Oct.