17:35 Ascot
Good To FirmHampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
- First Prize: £99242.5
- 1m 1f 212y
- Class 1
- 10 runners
ITV
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
Form: 9131-7
OR: 104
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 3 yo Gelding
Went very close in the Group 3 Solario at Sandown (7f, soft) last August and won the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at Chantilly (1m, soft) in September; his trainer won this two years ago and this 3yo is much better than he showed in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good) in April on his reappearance, but he's hard to fancy on the back of that heavy defeat (50-1).
Form: 55-160
OR: 112
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won the Group 3 Craven at Newmarket (1m, good) in April in first-time cheekpieces (retained) then kept on for respectable sixth in the 2,000 Guineas there (1m, good to firm); faded when 12th of 16 in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (10.5f, good) but this trip may well be within range if he settles better; not ruled out back down in grade under 4lb penalty.
Form: 28-231
OR: 107
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Cheekpieces fitted in last two races; second to subsequent Derby winner Christmas Day in Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding) in April and again finished close up in Group 3 Derby Trial over same C&D (good) before easy Listed win from the front there (1m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; holds leading form claims.
Form: 212
OR: 102
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Gelding
Went close on debut in March (1m, AW) and won by 3l at Yarmouth (1m, good) in April; beaten 7l when second of five in Listed race at Chester (10.3f, good) last month but it's not just the winner Constitution River who has franked that form, and he still looked a work in progress; interesting.
Form: 143-
OR: 104
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won on debut at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last August before Listed fourth at Haydock (1m, good), and he rallied for close third in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last October when last seen; he's the only one of these who hasn't run this year and it's a tough assignment on his comeback, but his latest form reads well and he has potential at 1m2f.
Form: 2238-4
OR: 111
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
0-5 since winning on debut at Leopardstown (7f, good) last May and he could do with settling better, while Ryan Moore rides stablemate Endorsement; however, he's run some big races in defeat and could build on April's reappearance fourth in the Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding; Endorsement second); might have a part to play.
Form: 1-14 DBF
OR: 104
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won on debut at Kempton (1m3f, AW) last December and followed up in Newmarket novice (1m2f, good) in April, again with something to spare; unplaced favourite in the Lingfield Derby Trial (11.6f, good to firm) but his top yard was going through a quiet spell and he's not written off.
Form: 21-15
OR: 110
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won at York (1m, good) last October on second start and reappeared with Listed win at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in April; only fifth in the Group 2 Dante at York (10.2f, good) last month and he needs to raise his game, but he may be capable of better than he showed on that latest start; not discounted.
OUR TIP
Form: 11
OR: 90
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Made debut last month and he's 2-2, with comfortable novice wins at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) and Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW); takes a steep rise in grade but subsequent winners have emerged from both of his races and this Teofilo colt could be suited by the step up in trip; on the shortlist.
Form: 1-22
OR: 96
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won last November on sole 2yo start (7f, AW) and runner-up on both this term (1m2f, good/good to firm), most recently a Listed race at Newmarket; unexposed and his pedigree provides optimism that he will continue to progress for his top stable; not ruled out in first-time cheekpieces.
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Betting Forecast
50/1 Oceans Four, 6/1 Oxagon, 2/1 Endorsement, 9/1 Generic, 25/1 Glacius, 5/1 Italy, 9/1 Maho Bay, 7/1 Morshdi, 11/1 Mountain Cat, 8/1 My Love Is King
Verdict
Aidan O’Brien has won three of the last eight runnings and Ryan Moore’s mount Endorsement holds leading form claims following his dominant Listed win at Leopardstown a fortnight ago. However, this could go to the unexposed MOUNTAIN CAT who showed serious promise last month when winning his first two starts and looks to have a very bright future. Endorsement is second choice ahead of Generic, whose inexperience was still evident when 7l runner-up to Constitution River in the Dee Stakes at Chester.[Ben Hutton]