Racehorse Lotto Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 2m 8.92s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Cash²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 109

10/1

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who was just touched off by subsequent Irish Derby winner Westover on last season's reappearance in the C&D Classic Trial. Again found just one too good on return this time round in listed event at Ascot (1m, good) and remains open to improvement back now moving back up in trip.

Form: 1/23-2

(5)

Chichester⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 109| D

80/1

Ready winner of a conditions event at Newcastle (1m) and solid second in a valuable contest over the same C&D last month. That form is solid (winner has since finished third in the Lockinge) but it still leaves him some way below the level required to beat the likes of Desert Crown and Hukum.

Form: 174-122

(4)

Claymore³⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 111| D

18/1

Quickly made up into a smart colt in 2022, the highlight of which was his success in the Group 3 Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (1¼m, good to firm) last June. Shade disappointing in a York Group 2 the following month, however, and absent since

Form: 1/2014-

(6)

Desert Crown³⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 123| D

2/5

Impressive winner of sole 2-y-o start and looked potentially top class when landing the Dante at York (10.2f, good) and Epsom Derby last season. Sidelined with an injury since the Derby but, with just 3 starts under his belt, he remains open to improvement and will be hard to beat if all is well.

Form: 1/11-

(2)

Hukum^t³⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 122

5/1

Very smart and likeable type who enhanced his fine strike rate when gaining first success at the highest level in the Coronation Cup at Epsom (1½m, good) last June. Absent since (sustained serious leg injury) and whether he possesses the requisite speed to mix it at this trip remains to be seen.

Form: 121/171-

(1)

Solid Stone^p²⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 110| C| D

16/1

Progressive in 2021 and took another step forward when landing the Group 2 Huxley at Chester last spring. However, limitations exposed thereafter and there's little doubt that Desert Crown is the stable first-string.

Form: 1/01455-

Forecasts

Desert Crown (2/5), Hukum (5/1), Cash (10/1), Solid Stone (16/1), Claymore (18/1), Chichester (80/1)

All eyes will be firmly affixed to the unbeaten DESERT CROWN, who makes his eagerly-awaited comeback in a race that his yard has won with several high-class performers in recent years. The Nathaniel colt was most impressive in the Derby on just his third career start last June and, though absent since owing to an injury, it's unlikely that he will be found wanting fitness-wise. Cash could be the one for the forecast, given that Hukum is likely to find this trip too sharp.