Fine Form
Dancing Gemini SN – 3.00
recently ended a lengthy wait for a victory and he can double up in the bet365 Mile at Sandown.
Roger Teal’s charge was a Listed-winning juvenile and was highly tried at three, coming within half a length of Classic glory when just beaten in the French 2000 Guineas before being upped markedly in distance for a Derby bid.
His Epsom sixth was creditable but perhaps left its mark as the Camelot colt failed to sparkle in two starts before a short break, which seemed to have the desired effect as he claimed fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on his final start of the year.
Dropped to Listed level on his seasonal bow at Doncaster, Dancing Gemini roared back to form with a near-four length victory, seemingly with a bit in hand, and while this is a move back up to Group Two company, he is favoured by the conditions of the race and has the benefit of a run under his belt.
Another who has already kicked off his campaign is bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes contender
Arabian Crown SN – 2.25
An impressive winner of the Classic Trial on this card last year, Arabian Crown then suffered an injury in training which eventually put paid to his entire three-year-old campaign.
Returned to action at Meydan at the start of March, he was a bit keen after a 309-day absence in a race that was not run to suit, coming home fourth of seven behind a fellow Charlie Appleby runner in Silver Knott.
He drops back a couple of furlongs to a mile and a quarter here which should suit and he gets the vote over stablemate and apparent first string Ancient Wisdom, who disappointed at Newbury last time out.
The bet365 Classic Trial looks a tricky puzzle but it may pay to stick with the relatively proven
Windlord SN – 3.35
for Andrew Balding.
Winner of one of his four juvenile outings, he rounded off his campaign in a Group Two at the Curragh, beaten just over a length in third by Hotazhell.
That one subsequently boosted the form with a Group One win and Windlord looks likely to improve for a longer trip.
Fifth Column SN – 1.50
can make light of a starting mark of 86 in the bet365 Esher Cup Handicap.
Winner of a Kempton maiden at the fifth attempt, the handicapper’s initial assessment could yet prove lenient for the Gosden-trained runner.
Roaring Twenties DO – 2.33
found Classic hope Cosmic Year too good on his racecourse bow and it will be disappointing if he does not run well in the Weekend Winners On Sky Sports Racing Novice Stakes at Doncaster.
Heard That PE – 2.40
can make amends for a lacklustre effort last time in the Alastair Down Novices’ Handicap Chase at Perth.
He had been in consistent form on better ground before heading to Ludlow in February, when his jumping let him down and he then ran out after being hampered by a loose horse.
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