KINROSS is a worthy favourite to repeat his victory of 2021 in the Group 3 Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (3.30) at Haydock Park.
Ralph Beckett’s son of Kingman made his European return in this race 12 months ago and marked his first start as a gelding with a length-and-a-half-beating of Njord. Kinross then stepped up to Group 2 company for the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and went in again with a neck margin over Godolphin’s Creative Force.
My selection then tackled the highest level on his final three attempts of last season, suffering defeats on each occasion. That makes coming back down the class ladder the right move, and Kinross escapes a penalty for his victories of last summer.
James Doyle’s mount has proved himself a seven-furlong specialist – all three career successes have been at the trip – and rain-softened terrain is also ideal for Kinross, who can live up to his status as the best horse in the race in British Horseracing Authority ratings with another win.
FORZA ORTA is taken to make the most of the weight he receives from his 12 rivals in the Betfred Double Delight Handicap (2.20).
After a promising return-to-action third at Thirsk last month, the Kevin Ryan-saddled son of Fastnet Rock went two places better with a three-quarter-length margin from Tribal Art in Hamilton Park’s Buttonhook Handicap next time. Forza Orta then reappeared at York’s Dante fixture 10 days later, finishing a one-length second to Gaassee.
That ranks a fair effort – the William Haggas-trained winner, who was completing a four-timer, looks destined for Group company – and a 3lb rise in the weights should not stop David Egan’s mount from giving another good account.
Irish raider CLIMATE is worth a try at a mile and a half in the Group 3 Betfred Pinnacle Stakes (2.55). Jessica Harrington’s daughter of Australia made her reappearance in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes over nine furlongs on Newmarket’s 1,000 Guineas undercard.
A 22-1 chance, Climate began to feel the pinch entering the final furlong but kept on stoically in the closing stages to cross the line a length and a half in fourth behind winner Dreamloper. Both her style of running and her pedigree suggest she can step up again over an additional three furlongs, so going up in distance is the right move.
Dragon Symbol is set to go off favourite for the Listed Betfred Nifty Fifty Achilles Stakes (1.45), but preference is for CLARENDON HOUSE. Although beaten a head by Raasel at Goodwood at the end of April, Kevin Stott’s partner is 5lb better off here, and his fourth in ParisLongchamp’s Group 3 Prix de Saint-Georges – Clarendon House did best of those coming from the back – is better than it looks.
At Beverley, PARR FIRE gets the vote to build on a winning start at Doncaster a fortnight ago in the Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (2.05). The debut triumph wasn’t expected – the Nigel Tinkler juvenile went off the outsider of the sextet at 20-1 but the way she overcame inexperience to beat Double O by three parts of a length promised much for the future.
The bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (3.15) is a good opportunity for WHISTLE AND FLUTE to get back to winning ways for Eve Johnson Houghton. Sent off the 13-8 market leader at Ascot on the back of a two-and-a-half-length first-time-out score at Bath 13 days earlier, the Dandy Man juvenile went under by a length and a quarter to Bakeel. The winning horse will return to Royal Ascot next month, and Whistle And Flute has more to give.
In between the two-year-old races, top weight PERCY’S LAD may well benefit from an uncontested lead as he bids to seal a hat-trick – two outings in 2022 have yielded successes at Yarmouth and Nottingham – in the bet365 Handicap (2.40).
He captured the corresponding race 12 months ago and BOARDMAN looks ripe for a repeat in the ICM Stellar Sports Handicap (3.45).
