Communique can step it up
GEORGIA COX is the best pilot riding in the Smarkets Haydock Park Ladies’ Handicap and her mount RASHDAN (1.55) gets a healthy 10lb from his opponents.
The same jockey was in the plate when Hugo Palmer’s progressive sort snared a 10-furlong handicap at Newcastle in July off a rating of 81, so even a hike to 86 won’t be enough to stop the pair following up.
The step up in trip will suit, too, as Rashdan’s dam won over a mile and half for John Oxx.
The last time we sighted
AGROTERA (2.30) she was romping home from 22 rivals at Royal Ascot.
That form suggests she is going to take all the beating in the Smarkets Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes.
Jamie Spencer gave Ed Walker’s daughter of Mastercraftsman a patient ride, so don’t expect to see the pair until inside the final furlong.
The three-year-old has been entered in a Group One contest later in the season and she will have to land this if she is to take up that lofty engagement.
Mark Johnston’s
COMMUNIQUE (3.05) takes a big step up in class when he rocks up in the Group Three Rose Of Lancaster Stakes but he has won his last two races in the style of a fastimproving colt.
At Glorious Goodwood last Thursday he showed a smart burst of speed to win over today’s trip off a mark of 97, for which the assessor raised him to a revised perch of 103. That still leaves a bit to find with several rivals on official figures but I’m sticking with this in-form three-year-old.
With seven runners in the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket, I’m going to back CALIFORNIA
LOVE (3.45) at win only at around the 12-1 bracket.