BEAT THE BANK can fill our coffers by winning the Lockinge.
Andrew Balding’s star looks set for another big season after scooping a big prize at Sandown on comeback last time out.
He may have been a little rusty there but battled it out to take the Group 2. That should set him up nicely and his best efforts have come on this trip with ground on the fast side.
Silvestre De Sousa’s mount got those conditions when winning the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August like a high-class performer. He can take the next step here.
Laurens is as gutsy as they come and will push him all the way. She has already won no fewer than five Group 1 races including four last season. She may just need this comeback run but will be right there.
Lord Glitters put in several good efforts at this level last term and went close in a hot race out in Dubai in late March. Trainer David O’Meara has his horses going well and could land another big win.
ACCIDENTAL AGENT 1/5
Accident won’t happen. Was a shock winner of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot over this trip but hasn’t fired since. Will like the ground and has a fair draw but needs to find best form to make an impact.
BEAT THE BANK 5/5
Bank can pay. Has a couple of good Group 2 wins to his name over this distance and saves his best for ground on the quick side. Andrew Balding's horses have made a good start to the season and he should be right in the firing line.
LE BRIVIDO 4/5
Briv’s brave. Won the 2017 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot but has run just twice since. Showed lots of promise when third on his debut for Aidan O’Brien at Naas last time when staying on well over 7f.
Should be fitter for that and this extra furlong should help.
LORD GLITTERS 4/5
Glitters could be gold. Saves his best for this trip and wasn’t beaten far in red-hot race at Meydan last time out in March. Fast ground suits and was a close-up third in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last term. Needs to raise game — but not by very much.
MUSTASHRY 3/5
Tash is a grower. Won a pair of Group 2 races last season, including over this distance at Newmarket. Came up short since in this class but has the benefit of a good comeback last time and no forlorn hope for each-way backers.
MYTHICAL MAGIC 3/5
Magic ain't tragic. Improving type who had three lengths in hand when winning a good race over this distance in Dubai last time out. There should be plenty more to come as a four-year-old and he could easily outrun his odds.
OSTILIO 2/5
Ost will be bossed. Ended last season on a high when winning at Longchamp over this distance with something in hand. His poor comeback at St Cloud last time is a concern as he was beaten a long way from home.
Clearly has talent but has a little to prove after that.
ROMANISED 2/5
Roman candle’s out. Shock winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas last season but couldn’t really match that form in three runs after that, all in similar company to today’s.
Good comeback run over an inadequate 7f when third at Naas last time and should do better here but has a bit to find.
SHARJA BRIDGE 3/5
Bridge the gap. Won big Balmoral Handicap over this trip at Ascot in October before coming back to score in a Listed race at Doncaster in March. He then stepped up in class again to hold his own in the Sandown Mile last time.
This is tougher again but he could have more to offer.
SIR DANCEALOT 1/5
No Sir. Won a Group 2 here over 7f last summer with cut in the ground and those would appear to be his ideal conditions. He was held in this class a few times last term when dropped to sprint trips and he’s far from certain to last home over this far.
WITHOUT PAROLE 2/5
Parole denied. Started last season with a bang, winning the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in great style. His form rather fell apart after that with poor runs at Goodwood, York and Longchamp.
He didn’t show a lot coming back from a break in Dubai last time and needs the first-time blinkers to work.
BILLESDON BROOK 2/5
Brook’s sunk. Won the 1,000 Guineas last year at shock odds of 66-1. It was downhill from there when well held in three other attempts in Group 1 company.
She didn’t get a lot of luck in running coming back in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket last time but there still seems a big gap to bridge in this company.
I CAN FLY 2/5
Needs to Fly. Has developed an unfortunate act of starting slowly, which makes life hard at this level. Looked a Group 1 filly when beaten a neck in the QEII Stakes in October but has gone badly a couple of times since then. Best watched for now.
LAURENS 4/5
Laur could rule. Big-hearted filly who landed her fifth Group 1 success in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in October. She had too many miles on the clock when then beaten at Ascot and will be much happier after this break.
This trip suits well despite her staying further and all ground comes the same. She has needed her first run for the past two seasons but won’t be far off the pace.
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