There is no shortage of potential on show with 3yos at this stage of the season and weighing it up is tricky, but the four to focus on may be GUNSHIP, Sing Us A Song, Hot Cash and Circus Of Rome, who are preferred in that order. The step up from 1m looks a big plus for AW winner Gunship and so does his pedigree, with the dam having produced five winners with a peak RPR of at least 104.[Richard Austen]
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Irish Derby entry; close third at Newbury (1m, good) on second start and scraped home when 1-3 in a maiden at Goodwood (1m2f, heavy) in September; will stay further than this; should still be capable of improvement and his market strength should be an interesting pointer.
Won comfortably in a maiden at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in December and creditable second to Circus Of Rome in a novice there (9.4f; a head in front of Hot Cash) four weeks ago; can still improve but this looks a tough mark for handicap/turf debut.
Derby entry (huge price); won a maiden at Epsom last July on debut and similar form in defeat in a French Group 3 (also 7f on good) in August and novice at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) four weeks ago; a head behind Perfect Life in the latter (and a little more behind Circus Of Rome, who hampered him but didn't need to be at his best), but can still do better.
All four starts have been on AW, second twice in December and winning a novice at 11-10 from Perfect Life and Hot Cash at Wolverhampton (9.4f) four weeks ago; the win was workmanlike and seemingly not his best form but he saw it out well and still looks interesting at this trip.
Won the second of his Kempton novice races (1m, AW) before tailed-off favourite in Italian Group 2 (1m, heavy) later in October; dam 1m2f winner and he's shaped as if the trip will suit; needs to resume progress but worth a market check for in-form yard.
Derby entry who's a half-brother to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain; tongue tied both starts; led final 1f and clung on by a short head when 22-1 at Newcastle in December on debut; again 1m on Tapeta when creditable second at Southwell in another novice five weeks ago, never nearer from off the pace; has potential and this extra 2f will help.
Has had six races and won his last two in 1m2f handicaps at Newmarket (soft) in October and Doncaster (good) late last month; up another 6lb and into a stronger race but he's going the right way.
Has had 13 races already, winning three of his seven AW handicaps (all Tapeta) and bang there in all the others; has proved himself at 1m4f on last three starts, dead-heating for first on latest, but he needs to be even better on this return to turf off 5lb higher in strong race.
All four starts were over 7f last May-July; 11th in the Chesham at Royal Ascot in between his seconds in a maiden at Sandown and nursery at Chester; bred to stay 1m2f; tongue tied first time; off 287 days but stable won the Spring Cup at Newbury recently with a reappearing 4yo at 25-1.
All three starts on good ground; second at Deauville (7f) before lesser shows over 1m at Goodwood in September and Newbury 13 days ago; early days on handicap debut but he has more to prove than some of these.
Similar form in novices at Salisbury (1m, heavy), Kempton (7f, AW) and Yarmouth (1m2f, good); raced freely up front in the latter on reappearance and a more settled display this time would help on handicap debut.
Did not progress in maidens but put that behind him when winning well in a four-runner nursery at Yarmouth (1m2f, soft) in October; up 6lb and this race is far more daunting.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )