15:25 Newbury

Sunday 19 July 2020

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:00

bet365 Steventon Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 2m 4.58s

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(6)

Dream Castle³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 106

14/1

Three-time Meydan winner in 2019, not in the same sort of form there this year but consistent enough. Given some stiff tasks in GB (only ever won on debut here), below-par on soft ground at Royal Ascot (10f) last time, headgear now removed.

Form: 0-72340

(7)

Extra Elusive³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 107| C| D

12/1

Still looks a smart performer despite not winning since 3yo campaign, run some sound placed efforts at Listed/Group 3 level. Good fifth at Royal Ascot last time, kept on well in the style of one who may need further than this, should be competitive.

Form: 2352-65

(2)

Faylaq⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 105

5/1

Never stopped improving in handicaps last year winning three at up to 12.1f, looked comfortable in 12f Group 3 to end 3yo campaign. Too free to do himself justice on return at Newmarket (12f) in this grade, better than that, has to be respected.

Form: 11214-6

(3)

Fox Tal³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| D

9/2

Two big efforts defined last season, Group 1 fourth (Champion Stakes, 10f) seeing him excel himself, was seen to maximum advantage. Keen on that occasion that trait defeated him on his return at Royal Ascot over this trip, needs to settle better.

Form: 143/14-6

(1)

Global Giant¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| BF

2/1

Scored impressively on debut for this yard when landing a Wolverhampton (9.5f) conditions event after a six month break. Respectable effort back on turf last time at Sandown (10f, good) in Listed grade, not ideally placed to challenge, has claims.

Form: 21/05-14

(8)

Pablo Escobarr^p,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| BF| D

7/1

Winner on the AW at this level late last year over 2f further, consistent since (never fails to run his race). Went down narrowly at Newmarket last time over 12f (showed tremendous enthusiasm), lost nothing in defeat, may find this on short side.

Form: 521-243

(9)

Prince Eiji³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Egan| T: R Varian

8/1

Done all his racing after 7f Ascot debut maiden win at Listed/Group 3 level generally acquitting himself well. Yet to win again his fine fourth at Royal Ascot (10f) confirmed him as a smart performer, travelled well, may just be better back at 1m.

Form: 35/43-44

(5)

Raakib Alhawa^h1⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| C

33/1

Ran no sort of race on his return at Newmarket (12f, good) pulling his chance away from early on. Has won in this grade at Windsor (11,5f, good/firm) last year but needs to settle better, hood now on for first-time in an effort to help.

Form: 0/7515-9

(4)

Walkinthesand³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 108| D

18/1

Smart handicapper, showed that when winning off 105 at Newmarket (10f, firm) last year, not disgraced when facing some tough tasks subsequently. Didn't inspire on his return at Royal Ascot (behind three of today's rivals), work to at this level.

Form: 51743-8

Forecasts

Global Giant (2/1), Fox Tal (9/2), Faylaq (5/1), Pablo Escobarr (7/1), Prince Eiji (8/1), Extra Elusive (12/1), Dream Castle (14/1), Walkinthesand (18/1), Raakib Alhawa (33/1)

Good quality Listed race with the form of the Listed Wolferton Stakes from Royal Ascot well represented, five of this field having contested that race. Best of the quintet that day was Prince Eiji (gelded since), he looks a horse on the up but his future may lie over 1m. Fox Tal the best of these on ratings needs to settle better and the Wolferton fifth, Extra Elusive can once again finish in front of him. The ever-improving Faylaq can’t be dismissed on the back of a Newmarket effort that was far better than it looks on paper. GLOBAL GIANT will appreciate a solid pace having been rather undone by a positional/pace bias at Sandown last time, still looks a smart performer with more to offer.