Francesco is in the frame

RACING: Stamina won’t be an issue for Yarmouth runner

FRANCESCO GUARDI can defy a penalty in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Yarmouth today.

A de but winner for James Ferguson, he was then stepped markedly up in class for the Listed Denford Stakes at Newbury, where he was far from disgraced in third.

Both of his races to date have been over seven furlongs – but one thing that is becoming increasingly evident about Frankel’s offspring – of which Francesco Guardi is one – is that stamina is very rarely an issue.

He is the first foal out of a dam, Trophee, who raced in America but she just happened to be a half-sister to dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Treve.

With black type already in the bag, Ferguson will be looking for a confidenceboosting win on this first try at a mile.

Sir Mark Prescott’s BODYLINE did not trouble the principals in the Melrose at York, but down in grade for the Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap he should open his account for the season.

The three-year-old caught the eye of a few pundits when finishing sixth in the King George V Stakes to Hukum at Royal Ascot, and was expected to win next time out at Newmarket. However, he was only second looking like he needed further than a mile and a half.

Slowly away on the Knavesmire, he was never on terms, but he can be given onemore chance to build on the promise of his Ascot run.

It took Sir Michael S to ute’ s CRYSTAL PEGASUS seven attempts to get off the mark and now he has the penny may finally have dropped.

He fairly bolted up over 10 furlongs at Bath last timeout, having been out stayed over a mile and a half the time before.

Given he is from the same family as Crystal Ocean, Stoute will be hoping the Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap is a stepping stone to greater things.