IT APPEARS CLEAR
APPEARED can continue Roger Varian’s terrific run of form in the John Guest Handicap at Ascot.
The five-year-old loves this venue and followed up May’s easy course and distance win with a fine second in the Duke Of Edinburgh at the Royal Meeting.
He remains open to plenty of improvement at this stage and should handle the likely soft conditions under Silvestre se Sousa in the 3.55.
Team Varian can double up in the Brown Jack with UAE KING (2.45).
Rapidly progressive, the colt relished stepping up to 1m6f when making a winning handicap debut at Sandown and can improve again over two miles.
NATHRA (3.20) can get her career back on track in the Valiant Stakes. John Gosden’s filly was second in last year’s French 1000 Guineas and can shrug off a long absence back in Listed company.
David O’Meara’s COOLFITCH (4.25) is the call in a red hot sprint. The filly has been in fine form his season and remains on an attractive mark after her unlucky second at York.
JUSTICE LADY (4.55) can lay down the law for David Elsworth in the lucky last.
The four-year-old returned to form with a cosy victory at Doncaster last time and is still well-handicapped after a 3lb hike.
AJMAN PRINCESS (7.30) can give Varian another big winner in the Listed Lyric Stakes at York.
The four-year-old was a fine second in a Haydock Group 2 last time and can give weight and a beating to some useful rivals down in grade.
■ THE PENTAGON showcased his Classic credentials for next season by winning the JRA Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt was already ante-post favourite with some firms for the Epsom Derby before he was sent on his way the 4-11 favourite for this Group Three over seven furlongs.
And The Pentagon did not disappoint as he followed up an eight-and-a-half-length Curragh maiden success with a solid victory under Ryan Moore.
The Pentagon is now available at around 8-1 about winning the Derby next summer.
O’Brien said: “Ryan felt that he was very raw and it was only when he went past the line that he really got to straighten himself up. He said he went past the line and he took off.
“He’s a very good mover and wouldn’t mind fast ground. He could go for the Futurity (Curragh, August 20).”