A Shin Hikari
Japanese raider is a prolific winner, including in £1.1m Hong Kong Cup in December. Produced an astonishing performance on European debut last month to win Group One at Chantilly by an official margin of 10 lengths (looked more like seven) from a horse that had won a Group One three weeks earlier. That was on heavy going, suggesting he is versatile as to ground, since his home wins were on a very fast surface. Deservedly the hot favourite in this small field, though a second such performance cannot be taken for granted after travelling around the world.
My Dream Boat
Progressive since joining Clive Cox at the beginning of last year, turning in a new career best by landing Sandown’s Brigadier Gerard on his reappearance in April, stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time. Well held by A Shin Hikari at Chantilly last time, beaten 14 lengths into fifth, but got no run that day, being held in at the rear by a rival as the race developed after the turn for home. Stayed on quite strongly when it was too late. A better showing is perfectly possible in this smaller field.
The Grey Gatsby
Shockingly unlucky in this race last year when repeatedly denied a clear run in the straight, finally bursting forward when granted some space to be beaten a short-head. But that was on a fast surface, like the one he had when beating a Derby winner in the Irish Champion almost two years ago. Has usually run well below his best on a softer surface and ground may be his undoing here. Making his seasonal reappearance, having needed a few runs to reach his peak in the past two seasons.
Tryster
An all-weather star at the beginning of last year and back in the big time this spring when landing a Group One on turf in Dubai. Left it a bit late when third on most recent outing there in March, dropped back to nine furlongs. This distance more like it but the ground is probably against him. Has never been tried on wet turf and his action suggests he needs a fast surface to be effective. Very disappointing last of five at Sandown in May last year on the last occasion he tried a turf race in Britain.
Western Hymn
Fair third in this race last year, almost three lengths behind The Grey Gatsby. Beaten a length and a quarter by My Dream Boat on his reappearance after a nine-month break. Probably put up a better effort last time when beaten just a neck by Time Test. Won a French Group Two on soft ground two years ago, suggesting he may cope with this surface. Winless from four attempts in Group Ones and would need everything to fall right.
Found
Beaten just a neck in the Coronation Stakes here last year. Covered herself in glory when beating the Derby winner at the Breeders’ Cup in October. Both those efforts on a much faster surface than she will get here and suspicion this going will count against her. Has only a Group Three win to show from four starts this year, largely because she has been racing on a softish surface each time.
