15.40

1st

4

(4)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Hukum

9st 9lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

High-class performer who has claimed notable scalps in last two appearances, readily beating Pyledriver in the 2022 Coronation Cup (1m4f) then collaring last year's Derby winner Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over 1m2f at Sandown two months ago (both on good ground); subsequently withdrawn from the Hardwicke because of good to firm going; has form figures of 131 over this C&D and a record of 3-4 on softer than good; strong contender.

4/1

5

(4)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Hukum

9st 3lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Raced mainly on good/softer; multiple winner at 1m4f-1m6f; displayed surprising versatility by turning over Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over 1m2f at Sandown last month, when having first run since readily beating Pyledriver in the 2022 Coronation Cup; solid record over C&D includes a handicap success at this meeting in 2020 and good third in this race the following year; better horse now and holds leading claims back up in trip.

7/4

1st

5

(2)

25th May 2023

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

19:42 Sandown

Hukum

9st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Four-time Group 3 winner in Britain who was having only his third crack at a Group 1 when hammering the rock-solid yardstick Pyledriver in last season's Coronation Cup (1m4f, good); sustained a serious injury at Epsom that has kept him off the track since; current wellbeing is a grey area and stepping up to 1m4f+ was the making him, so there are reservations.

7/2

2nd

8

(10)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Westover

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Ruined his chance in this race last year by getting worked up beforehand and failing to settle once under way; otherwise a very good performer and strong stayer at 1m4f, most recently winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (good to soft); yet to win a Group 1 on home soil, however, and seems held by Emily Upjohn on Coronation Cup running.

12/1

2nd

4

(3)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Epsom

Westover

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Frankel colt; luckless third in last year's Derby here then won the Irish version in great style; respectable sixth in the Arc; finished well for second behind impressive Japanese colt Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan (1m4f, good) when last seen ten weeks ago, suggesting he's set for a productive 4yo campaign in top middle-distance races; leading contender.

2/1

1st

8

(1)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

King Of Steel

9st 3lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Roger Varian

raced in last, pushed along over 4f out, headway on outer from 2f out, prominent when ridden and hung right 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led towards finish

4/1

4th

8

(5)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

King Of Steel

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

held up in midfield, headway 3f out, ridden and went fourth inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, not reach leaders

9/4

3rd

11

(3)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

King Of Steel

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

Strapping colt who nearly won the Derby on stable/seasonal debut, leading from over 2f out until collared by Auguste Rodin near the finish (pair clear); went one better in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot where he comfortably justified favouritism while confirming he's very smart and suited by this C&D; both starts this season on good to firm but 2yo debut success came on soft; still has very low mileage, having raced just four times, and commands the utmost respect with further progress on the cards.

4/1

5th

7

(6)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Pyledriver

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Yet to race on heavy, appears to act on any other ground; often hangs but he's a cracking horse and won this contest 12 months ago, albeit having been somewhat helped by the market leaders failing to show their form; subsequently absent until following up in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot five weeks ago when taking record over C&D to 3-3; bids to defend his crown in a red-hot renewal but looks sure to give it his best shot.

7/1

1st

6

(5)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Pyledriver

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Won the 2021 Coronation Cup but proved no match for Hukum in same contest last year; finished in front of that rival at Meydan the time before, however; landed the 2022 King George over C&D (on fast ground) when last seen but the race fell apart with most rivals failing to show their form; had a couple of setbacks since and may need this outing to put him spot-on for another crack at the July showpiece.

7/1

6th

1

(2)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Bolshoi Ballet

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

One of four runners for Ballydoyle; losing spell goes back to his Belmont Derby success two years ago; retains plenty of ability and finished second in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good) most recently; still very useful but he's bottom of this elite pack on ratings.

100/1

2nd

5

(1)

20th Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Bolshoi Ballet

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

1m2f Grade 1 winner in the US in 2021; lightly raced in the last 18 months but showed he retains his ability when close third in 1m4f Newbury Group 3 (good) one month ago and it's possible he could take another step forward now; in the mix.

7/1

3rd

1

(7)

20th May 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Bolshoi Ballet

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Well-beaten favourite in the 2021 Derby; all subsequent runs that year were in USA (won first of them) and Hong Kong; well below form when blinkered on Lingfield AW in November on sole start last season and he was again well held in Listed race at Navan (1m6f, heavy) this April; today's trip/ground looks more suitable but confidence in him has been seriously dented.

9/1

3rd

1

(2)

22nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:35 York

Emily Upjohn

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won at York in 2022; registered one Group 1 win that year and one (1m4f, good to firm) in 2023, with two close calls and she had another of those in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh (1m2f) this June, collared near the finish having kicked for home over 2f out; again raced wide in the Nassau at Goodwood last time but did not settle so well and found little from over 1f out; the clear form pick, judged on 2024 even, but she's been at that level only once this season.

7/2

6th

2

(10)

1st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Emily Upjohn

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Two Group 1 wins; acts on good to firm; inconsistent in her last four races but went close in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh (1m2f, yielding to soft) latest, collared near the finish having kicked for home a bit too soon in hindsight; leading player provided she remains in similar form.

2/1

2nd

2

(4)

29th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:30 Curragh

Emily Upjohn

9st 12lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

took keen hold, midfield early, went second from 6f out, joined leader over 4f out, led going okay over 2f out, ridden and 3 lengths ahead over 1f out, reduced lead and idled inside final furlong, headed towards finish

15/8

3rd

3

(6)

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Point Lonsdale

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ran respectably sole start on good to firm; 0-8 in Group 1 races but has won five lesser Group contests and he's a leading contender on form; impressive over the extended 1m5f at Chester in May, galloping on relentlessly; first venture beyond that when disappointing favourite at York (2m) three weeks ago but he's nevertheless back for more in the Cup races and over an even longer trip this time; interesting to see whether his backers return.

9/2

5th

4

(5)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Point Lonsdale

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ran respectably sole start on good to firm; 0-8 in Group 1 races but has won five lesser Group contests and he's a leading contender on form; brother to the very smart Broome, who won at up to 2m, but he's not himself been beyond the extended 1m5f of his impressive Chester win in May; galloped on relentlessly that day, so has to be of major interest.

2/1

1st

6

(4)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:40 Chester

Point Lonsdale

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

prominent, went second over 2f out

2/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:25 Leopardstown

Auguste Rodin

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

towards rear, headway under 3f out, challenging 1f out, briefly disputed lead inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish

9/4

5th

1

(2)

27th Jul 2024

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Auguste Rodin

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Has flopped badly on three occasions in his career, including in this race 12 months ago; otherwise a high-class performer who has won several top middle-distance prizes, all on good/firmer, including the 2023 Derby and most recently the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot; leading player provided he avoids one of his bad days.

5/4

1st

2

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:25 Ascot

Auguste Rodin

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

The Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf all fell to him last season but he ran absolute shockers in the 2,000 Guineas and King George (here) and flopped again in the Dubai Sheema Classic this March; Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (good to yielding) late last month was much more like it again, albeit leading only briefly in the closing stages before White Birch asserted by 3l; peak efforts have been on good or firmer (also Group 1 winner on heavy as 2yo) but he's uncomfortably enigmatic.

7/4