15:00 Royal Ascot

Thursday 18 June 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Chesham Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 1m 30.62s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Battleground¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien

11/4

Colt by War Front out of a Galileo mare; dam won an Arc. In need of the experience on debut at Naas (6f, good to firm; 7-1) this month but shaped nicely and should be wiser; top trainer/jockey have won this three times since 2011.

Form: 5

(1)

Bright Devil¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

7/1

Dark Angel colt made all at Newmarket on debut in a 6f maiden this month; should progress again but this is much tougher and facing some likely sorts; respected with champion rider on board.

Form: 1

(7)

Clarendon Cross⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon

14/1

Son of New Approach, unable to really get into the race from the rear on debut at Haydock (7f, good; 28-1) recently; but showed some promise. Likely to give his running here and improve.

Form: 3

(9)

First Prophet⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: C Fellowes| D

7/2

Bit of an awkward head carriage on debut at Newbury (7f, good; 18-5) but didn't prevent a winning start and he quickened very nicely to put the race away; that was only six days ago but capable of plenty more on that evidence.

Form: 1

(5)

Golden Flame⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston

5/1

Golden Horn colt finished second at Haydock (Clarendon Cross third) having raced prominently on debut nine days ago; from a top yard and likely to improve for that outing. Respected with this test to suit him and Dettori up.

Form: 2

(8)

March Law⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston

18/1

Fifth on debut at Haydock (7f, good; 11-2) with stablemate Golden Flame second and Clarendon Cross third; should be wiser for that experience and gives Mark Johnston a strong hand in a race he was won three times.

Form: 4

(2)

Modern News¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby

4/1

Strong late run to get up and score on debut in decent Newmarket maiden (6f, good; 4-1) 11 days ago, beating an expensive stablemate. Yard in superb form and should appreciate the extra furlong; contender.

Form: 1

(3)

Seattle Rock⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: David Egan| T: S Kirk

80/1

Daughter of Fastnet Rock should come on for the debut run when third of three behind Concession in Chelmsford fillies' event (12-1 SP); though it will be a surprise if she's good enough to land this prize.

Form: 3

Non-Runners

(4)

Concessions⁹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 2

T: R Hannon J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Battleground (11/4), First Prophet (7/2), Modern News (4/1), Golden Flame (5/1), Bright Devil (7/1), Concessions (8/1), Clarendon Cross (14/1), March Law (18/1), Seattle Rock (80/1)

This looks a strong renewal of the Chesham on paper, with four once-raced winners joined by some equally promising sorts that seem destined to improve markedly. Modern News beat an expensive stablemate on debut at Newmarket and has scope for better for his in-form trainer while the filly Concessions can also build on her Chelmsford win. Battleground didn't win on debut but Aidan O'Brien sends him here and that's notable given his recent Chesham record. Similarly, GOLDEN FLAME was second on debut at Haydock recently but that should prove a great learning aid for him and the Mark Johnston inmate can thrive over this stiff course and with his battling skills already sharpened.