Global giant can tower over Haydock rivals
Global Giant can continue his progression since joining John Gosden with victory in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.
The five-year-old could easily be unbeaten since moving across Newmarket to Clarehaven Stables from Ed Dunlop.
It is not to say he has improved enormously, either, having won a Listed race in Ireland for his previous connections - but bought privately by his current owners, he looks a smart prospect now.
On his first run for Gosden at Wolverhampton in January, he was an easy winner, and was then an unlucky loser at Sandown in Listed company. He did not enjoy aclear passage and was beaten two lengths, but the form has worked out incredibly well.
The winner, Andre Fabre’s Magny Cours, had beaten top-notch stablemate Persian King previously, while the second, Roger Charlton’s Aspetar, landed the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes next time out in which Fox Chairman, the third, finished second.
Most recently Global Giant won a Listed race at Newbury in comfortable style, suggesting he is well up to scoring at Group Three level. He is a confident selection.
Festive Star gets the nod in the British Stallion Studs EBF Dick Hern Stakes.
A Listed winner in France as a juvenile, the daughter of Golden Horn failed to make much of an impact on her first start of 2020 in a Windsor handicap at the end of June.
However, she raised her game significantly to claim a third victory from just six career starts at Newbury last month - earning a three-figure rating and a return to Listed class.
Group One winner Veracious sets a lofty standard, but she has been off the track since October and this could be a day to take her on.
Mark Johnston’s Dubai Fountain may have lost her unbeaten record last time out but she still sets a very good standard in the Betway Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
A winner from a subsequent scorer on debut at Doncaster, she then returned to Town Moor and fairly bolted up under a penalty by the best part of 10 lengths.
Upped in grade at Sandown, she was just reeled in by Richard Fahey’s Fev Rover, who had previously finished second to Dandalla in a Group Two, and the third home, Santosha, has come out and won a Group race since.
Dubai Fountain may not be the best long-term prospect in the race, but she has the edge in terms of experience and that should come in handy.
The Gosden-trained Al Rufaa has looked a Group horse in a handicap in winning the last twice and can take the Betway Handicap before stepping into Pattern races.
The handicapper has put him up 18lb for his two wins but it still might not be enough.
Gosden’s Harrovian also looks a major player in the Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap, despite top weight.