Sports ID - Strength In Sport Conditions Stakes

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 2m 14.22s

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(3)

Mount Logan^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 110| BF| CD

2/1

A ready 6L winner of this race in 2016 (good to soft), this six-time career winner has surprisingly proved difficult to win with since. However, his Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes second to Frankuus at Haydock last month makes him a major player.

Form: 13-3322

(5)

Red Verdon⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 107

5/1

Progressive in 1m4f handicaps during May 2016, and finished sixth to Harzand in the Epsom Derby in June 2016. Back from a ten month break for a fruitless (highly tried) campaign in 2017, and held by Mount Logan on Fred Archer form from July.

Form: 42-6574

(2)

Sumbal³²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 106| D

9/1

A three time winner in France (on testing ground) in 2015, including in a Group 2 contest at Saint-Cloud. Joined this trainer part way through 2016, but worryingly has been absent from action since the St Simon Stakes at Newbury in October 2016.

Form: 226564-

(1)

Mirage Dancer²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111| C

11/10

7f course maiden winner in October 2016 who produced a career best when an eye-catching third to Benbatl in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Outclassed by Cracksman at York (Group 2) latest, but a key player today.

Form: 1-433

Non-Runners

(4)

Best Of Days¹⁸

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: H Palmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mirage Dancer (11/10), Mount Logan (2/1), Red Verdon (5/1), Best Of Days (7/1), Sumbal (9/1)

A fascinating contest despite the small field. MIRAGE DANCER was no match whatsoever for Cracksman in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, but this 7f course maiden winner shouldn't be judged too harshly on that effort; his first start since an eye-catching third to Benbatl in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes (1m2f) at Royal Ascot in June. With just four career starts under his belt, he is open to more improvement, and barring a complete deluge, he looks more convincing than the 2016 winner of this contest Mount Logan. The Roger Varian trained six-year-old probably hasn't quite lived up to expectations this year (Rose Of Lancaster Stakes aside), but looks the chief threat nevertheless.