Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 2m 33.49s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Communique²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| CD

12/1

A winner of five of his last 13 starts but signs his progress is slowing down on recent evidence. Sole pace angle in the race and his rivals wouldn't want to give him an easy lead. However, has it all to do at this level.

Form: 81125-7

(1)

Defoe²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 116| CD

7/2

Odds on when winning this race last year and not disgraced in Group 1 company subsequently. Disappointed on his return at Newbury but didn't get an ideal trip that day and expected to come on for that effort.

Form: 13202-4

(7)

Mildenberger¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107| BF| C

13/2

Won four of his first seven starts including a Listed race here. His second to Roaring Lion in the Dante now reads well and a tardy start cost him at Epsom on his belated return. Could well do better this season and not one to put a line through.

Form: 313/12-7

(3)

Red Verdon^b³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 110| D

20/1

Placed multiple times at Group level and got back on track when winning on return at Doncaster in March. Runner-up in this race last year but vulnerable to anything progressive and others make more appeal.

Form: 22500-1

(5)

Young Rascal²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 116| BF| D

5/1

A winner of a trio of Group 3 races and well backed prior to finishing well beaten on his return at Newbury. Will need to improve for that run to have a say here and it's a minor concern that all his best form has come with cut in the ground.

Form: 11711-5

(2)

Coronet¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| C| D

5/4

Performed with great credit on Champions' Day at Ascot in October behind a rival who went on to take Enable close at the Breeders' Cup meeting. Landed a Group 2 on return last season and hard to beat if she returns in the same form here.

Form: 3/12322-

(4)

Maid Up²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 105| D

33/1

Progressive last year, graduating from handicap company to place in a Group 2 and win a Group 3 at Goodwood. Couldn't land a blow up in class in the St Leger and probably in a bit too deep again here.

Form: 111219-

Forecasts

Coronet (5/4), Defoe (7/2), Young Rascal (5/1), Mildenberger (13/2), Communique (12/1), Red Verdon (20/1), Maid Up (33/1)

CORONET will be tough to beat if she reproduces her best form from last season and her trainer John Gosden will often have his better horses ready to go first-time up. Mildenberger is an interesting runner and while he disappointed when favourite on his return, connections clearly think plenty of him, dropping him back in the deep end here. Defoe is another who didn't run as expected last time out but he won this race last year and should come on for his Newbury run.