Racecards
13:50 Newbury
Al Rayyan Stakes (Group 3) (Registered As The Aston Park Stakes) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £100,000 added
- Winner: £56,710
- 2nd: £21,500
- 3rd: £10,760
- 4th: £5,360
- Form 2/13013-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey L Dettori
tracked leaders, keen, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 2222-12
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer R M Beckett
- Jockey Oisin Murphy
held up towards rear, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
- Form 11893-5
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 117
made virtually all, driven clear well over 1f out, ran on well
- Form 1/1527-5
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 51554-3
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 117
held up in rear, hard ridden over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon wandered, stayed on well, never reached winner
- Form 5/11-8
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer H Palmer
- Jockey Josephine Gordon
broke well, prominent, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong
Verdict
To Be Wild has a mountain to climb on official figures but the remainder look closely matched. Across The Stars escapes a penalty for his victory in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot and won first time out last year. Chemical Charge has returned to Ralph Beckett after a spell in Ireland and his close second in the John Porter here last month was his best run to date - he holds Midterm on that run, though the latter didn't enjoy the fast ground. HAWKBILL was in brilliant form last summer on ground with some give culminating in a victory in the Eclipse at Sandown. His only run at this trip came when a close third in a Group 1 in Germany so, with conditions in his favour, he can get back to winning ways. My Dream Boat was beaten five lengths in the Eclipse and has never raced over a trip this far, though he's another who will enjoy the conditions.
Formwatch
Across The Stars (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up, in 4th, driven to chase leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase front pair when hung left inside final furlong, always held, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Idaho (9-0) at York 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Chemical Charge (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in last trio, good headway on outside 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, ridden hung both ways and stayed on inside final furlong, no extra and headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Muntahaa (8-13) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Hawkbill (USA) (9-2) 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Cloth Of Stars (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 1 gs in May.
Midterm 3-1fav (8-13) Held up in last pair, pushed along on outside over 3f out, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Muntahaa (8-13) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
My Dream Boat (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Held up in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd towards finish, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Ulysses (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
To Be Wild (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, 6l behind Wild Hacked (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Apr.