Racecards
15:10 Newbury
Sportsman Newspaper Geoffrey Freer Stakes (group 3) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 1m 5f 61y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 2-61413
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey R L Moore
held up in last, steady headway on outside from 4f out, led just inside final 2f, hung badly right to stands side rail final furlong, hard driven and held on, all out
Munsef
76- Form 113-227
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey R Hills
tracked leaders in 4th, headway to chase leading pair 2f out, stayed on under pressure to press for 2nd near finish as the winner hung badly right final furlong
- Form 272-456
- Age 9
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey A Munro
tracked leader to 12f out, chased leading pair, pushed along 4f out, not quicken and lost 3rd 2f out, soon one pace
- Form 1123-61
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey L Dettori
raced keenly, led to 12f out, tracked leader, led just inside final 3f to just inside final 2f, rallied under pressure as the winner hung badly right final furlong
- Form 7-112
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
reared start, soon recovered to lead 12f out, raced centre of course down straight, ridden and headed just inside final 3f, weakened 2f out
Verdict
Godolphin have their string in fine form at present and recent Newmarket winner Guadalajara has to be respected but this looks tougher for the mare so it may pay to look elsewhere with preference for Munsef, who gets the vote ahead of Admiral's Cruise. The selection was outclassed in a Group 2 in France last time but this is more his level and, with the yard of John Dunlop continuing in good form, he looks to have been found a decent opportunity to resume winning ways. The Michael Jarvis-trained Galient is less exposed than most and cannot be ruled out, while Jadalee looks to be going the right way but probably needs to improve to trouble the judge. Admiral's Cruise has not done much wrong of late and is closely matched with Guadalajara on a line through Ouninpohja. Munsef is well treated judged by BHB ratings though and has the form to take this.
Formwatch
Admiral's Cruise (USA) 2-1fav (9-4) Held up in touch, took closer order 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Crosspeace (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf.
Munsef 9-2 (8-11) Held up, never able to challenge, 7th of 10, 8l behind Policy Maker (8-11) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Self Defense 50-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, last and driven along straight, never a factor, 6th of 8, 5l behind Maraahel (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Guadalajara (GER) Evensfav (8-10) Made all, eased near finish, unchallenged, won at Newmarket 1m 4f stk (3) gs in Jul beating Ouninpohja (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Galient (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Led, strongly pressed from 3f out, headed over 2f out, looked held when slightly hampered approaching final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Soapy Danger (9-1) at Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Tiger Tiger (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, stayed on again final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Blue Monday (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stk (1) sft in May.
Jadalee (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, headway over 2f out, drifted right from over 1f out, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Sixties Icon (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd.