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17:35 Ascot

Good To Firm

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

First Prize: £141775
1m 3f 211y
Class 1
6 runners

ITV

View Course

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1 (2)

1 tip

Ancient Egypt 13 days

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Johnston

Form: 117-18

OR: 100

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Colt

Form

First four starts were on good to firm and he registered an ultimately authoritative win in a five-runner Listed race at Newmarket (1m2f) in May, helping to make the running and with 1m4f looking a strong option; managing just eighth of 14 in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, soft; 28-1) 13 days ago was therefore disappointing, but the earlier impression cannot yet be discarded.

2 (6)

2 tips

Causeway 27 days

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Form: 41-111

OR: 108

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Colt

Form

Fourth on heavy on debut but marched through the ranks with wins in all his four starts since; the last two were on good going (unraced on firmer) at the Curragh where he asserted by 2l late on in a 1m Listed race and led well over 1f out when prevailing by a head in 1m2f Group 3; the cheekpieces worn on penultimate start are now restored; likely to stay 1m4f and has the best form; needs great respect coming from top stable and a top family.

3 (5)

Echo Of Stars 21 days

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Oliver Cole

Form: 42-41

OR: 90

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Colt

Form

Tongue tied first time and improved when off the mark in eight-runner novice at Chepstow (1m2f, good to firm) three weeks ago, leading over 2f out and comfortably seeing off yesterday's King George V runner Blue Hercules; this son of Sea The Stars shaped as if 1m4f would be within reach, but he has a mountain to climb in this much higher class.

4 (1)

Golden Story 27 days

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Form: 1-31

OR: 102

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Colt

Form

Brother to 1m4f Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force; rather pulled himself up in front when winning his only start as 2yo (1m, soft); still green on reappearance at Chester (1m2f, good) behind the subsequent French Derby winner Constitution River, but he stuck to his task well and that was even more the hallmark of his extremely narrow, front-running win in four-runner Listed race at Goodwood (1m3f, good) four weeks ago; the runner-up last time was again beaten a nose in the 1m6f Group 2 here on Wednesday; this one is getting the hang of it and a much bigger performance could be on its way.

5 (4)

Venetian Prince 17 days

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Form: -22401

OR: 107

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Colt

Form

Won on good to firm as 2yo; 80-1 when among the backmarkers in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) in May in first-time cheekpieces; all change with blinkers, 1m3f and heavy going for the Derby Italiano at Milan 17 days ago and it worked a treat as he came home strongly from midfield to win in the final strides; that was a doughty performance and this is another Group 2, but he faces stronger opposition.

OUR TIP

6 (3)

1 tip

Water To Wine 23 days

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Form: 11

OR: 104

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Colt

Form

By Kingman out of French 1m4f Group 2 winner; evens for debut in a maiden at Newbury (1m3f, good) in April and looked a superb prospect, striding just over 4l clear from Alderman who was fifth in the Derby on his next outing; this one's next race was meant to be the Chester Vase but he had a temperature, so connections had to settle for 11l romp from the front at 1-12 in a Kempton novice (1m3f, AW); he's not looked the finished article but it would seemingly be tough to find a 3yo who brings greater promise.

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Betting Forecast

8/1 Ancient Egypt, 2/1 Causeway, 50/1 Echo Of Stars, 8/1 Golden Story, 12/1 Venetian Prince, 6/5 Water To Wine

Verdict

Causeway has much more experience and the best form but WATER TO WINE looks a tremendous prospect. The Gosden-trained selection faces far more of a test this time but is still preferred, such is the impression he made in his 1m3f maiden and novice wins. None of these runners have proved themselves at 1m4f but Water To Wine shapes as if he will relish it, while Aidan O’Brien seems confident that Causeway will stay and it’s not hard to see why this reportedly lazy sort has the cheekpieces reinstated. Golden Story, Ancient Egypt and Venetian Prince all bring positives and are preferred in that order.[Richard Austen]

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