Princess Of Wales's Close Brothers Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 2m 28.91s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Living Legend¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 110| D

18/1

Thrived in the spring, bagging the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over this trip on the Rowley course in May. Seems to have quickly lost his form, though.

Form: 311167

(2)

Global Storm^p⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 105| C| D

16/1

Progressed into a smart handicapper last season and proved at least as good as ever with a game success at Meydan in February. Good efforts in Group company since but needs a bit more if he's to make the breakthrough at this level.

Form: 060-134

(5)

Mostahdaf^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| BF

11/8

Completed a sixth success when taking the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown on his reappearance and has performed at least respectably since, in cheekpieces when runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Obvious player.

Form: 011-122

(1)

New Mandate²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: R M Beckett| OR: 110

14/1

Smart performer at 2 yrs. Lightly raced since but 1m Ascot listed win on reappearance in April shows he retains his ability. Bit better than the result in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot last time and steps up in trip now.

Form: 10/0-180

(4)

West End Charmer²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 106| C

11/1

Smart performer, lightly raced since 2020 but both of this year's efforts have been deserving of credit, fifth in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Not discounted back up in trip.

Form: 113/3-25

(6)

Yibir^h⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 119| BF| C| D

11/8

High-class performer who returned with an excellent second from too far back in Sheema Classic on Meydan reappearance and hasn't been discredited since, undone by a slow start when third of 5 in the Man o'War Stakes at Belmont last time. Should take the beating.

Form: 111-223

Forecasts

Yibir (11/8), Mostahdaf (11/8), West End Charmer (11/1), New Mandate (14/1), Global Storm (16/1), Living Legend (18/1)

YIBIR is the class act in this field and, if he avoids the slow start that was his undoing last time, he should be too good for his rivals. Mostahdaf wasn't disgraced at Royal Ascot and he's the clear danger on form, while a solid showing can be expected from West End Charmer back up in distance/grade.