Back Caradoc for Cup honours

Caradoc can feel the benefit of his recent return as he contests the John Smith’s Cup at York tomorrow.

The five-year-old was a model of consistency for Ed Walker last term, finishing no worse than fifth in seven starts, which also encompassed two wins, including in a similarly competitive heat to this. A shot at Listed company failed to pay off at the end of his campaign, but Caradoc was still well fancied to make a glorious return at Epsom earlier this month.

Walker had warned his charge might not be at his peak, and so it proved as Caradoc could not quite find the necessary speed after being given plenty to do on Derby day. He made up an eyecatching amount of ground in the final furlong to be beaten just over four lengths in sixth and it may be that returning to a more conventional track should also be in his favour.

Communique makes a swift reappearance in the John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes after finishing second at Newmarket last week.

Mark Johnston’s charge had disappointed in his first couple of starts this term, but took a leap forward as he found only Dame Malliot too good in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes. The five-yearold loves to do it the hard way from the front and once Dame Malliot passed him at Newmarket, it looked as though he might drop away.

However, Communique has determination in spades and poked his head in front again in the final furlong, only for Dame Malliot to pull put a bit more and go on to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Communique was conceding 3lb to the winner that day, but the conditions of this Group Three affair give him a handy advantage on the official ratings.

The Johnston team can also be on the mark at Haydock with Streak Lightning. The three-year-old is two from two this year and will try to extend his winning run in the Newton-Le-Willows Handicap.

He did not run as a juvenile but has made up for lost time already this term, taking top honours at Wolverhampton on his debut before following up in a novice heat at Ripon nearly a month ago.

Newbury has some classy performers on show, with Mighty Gurkha expected to take high order in the bet365

Rose Bowl Stakes.

Archie Watson’s charge blew his rivals away on his debut, cantering home by seven and a half lengths at Lingfield in the manner of a really good performer over six furlongs.

Connections then decided to switch back to the minimum distance for a shot at the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, but five furlongs did not look an ideal trip for this Sepoy colt as he did not quite have the toe of some of his rivals.