Fine Form
Detain HY – 3.00
can reward those that keep the faith with victory in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge won two of his three juvenile outings last year, only coming unstuck when upped to Group One company, and it looked as though he was set for a big season when beating subsequent American Grade Two scorer Luther on his Chelmsford return in the spring.
There was certainly no shame in being beaten just over two lengths when sixth in the French 2000 Guineas subsequently, looking as though the move up to 10 furlongs in the French Derby would suit him perfectly.
He fell just short against Camille Pissarro in that task and was duly well fancied for the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot, but Detain put up no kind of show that day and it may be the ground was just too quick for the son of Wootton Bassett.
There should be a bit more cut at Haydock and while older rivals Haatem and Royal Dubai will be tough nuts to crack, Detain has a significant weight-for-age allowance and is worth one more chance to get his season back on track.
Never Let Go HY – 2.25
can score a first Listed win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Dick Hern Stakes.
Third on her first attempt in that company at Goodwood in May, she dropped back to handicap level to win the Sandringham at Ascot, with third-placed Tabiti underlining the value of the form with a Group Three win last week.
That run represented a career high and while Ed Walker’s runner will need to improve again, she is clearly a filly on the up.
Venetian Lace NM – 3.40
is the pick in the Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
Charlie Johnston set this daughter of Masar some tough tasks after a debut win at Chelmsford, but Venetian Lace turned in a creditable run to be beaten two and a quarter lengths in the Chesham before taking fourth place in the Superlative Stakes.
She proved a bit wayward there, hanging quite badly left with a couple of furlongs to run, which puts a little extra gloss on her two-and-a-quarter-length fourth.
Venetian Lace clearly has ability and if she can chart a straight course, this Group Three test looks ideal.
Fellow Johnston runner
Mdawi AS – 3.55
is fancied to strike in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.
Second and unplaced in two spins at Goodwood last week, Mdawi ran much better when ridden more patiently on the first occasion and if Joanna Mason adopts a similar plan, he can go well in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic.
Australian rider Hugh Bowman can get a win on the board with
Urban Lion AS – 4.30
in the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile.
He did not enjoy too much luck in running when finishing fifth in the Royal Hunt Cup and a 1lb rise could prove generous.
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