EMPIRE STRIKES FEAR And take Bridge to Kempton

MICHAEL Stoute has decided to run BAY BRIDGE in the Group Three Unibet September Stakes (1.35) run over a mile and a half at Kempton Park, rather than the Group One Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown this afternoon. The strong steer should be taken.

In the Group Three Betfair Superior Mile Stakes due to start around 150 at Haydock Park, LIGHT INFANTRY can oblige for David Simcock and Jamie Spencer. This four-yearold was third in the Group One Jacques Le Marois run over today’s trip at Deauville in August, so this represents a big drop in class.

FIRST VIEW captured the Unibet London Mile Handicap (2.10) run at Kempton Park last season off a mark of 90 last year, so Saeed Bin Suroor has done an excellent job of getting him down to a perch of 88 this time.

5lb claimer, Christian Howarth, was in the irons last year, so having him taking off valuable weight again is a bonus. when second of 25 at Ascot over this afternoon’s journey in July, so he will carry my each-way wonga when he returns to the Berkshire track to contest the Bet365 Handicap (2.35) run over seven furlongs off a higher ledge of 89.

The stable captured this event with Fresh last season.

Having landed the Irish One Thousand Guineas in May and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, TAHIYRA is going to take all the beating in the Group One Coolmore Matron Stakes (2.45) run over a mile at Leopardstown.

Racing off a rating of 90 AZTEC EMPIRE was runner-up at York’s Ebor meeting last month, and although he has been raised to a new mark of 93, Andrew Balding’s progressive young stayer can snare the Betfair Old Borough Cup

Handicap (3.00) run over a mile and six furlongs at Haydock Park.

Charlie Appleby’s horses have hit form after a long spell in the doldrums, which leads me to believe VICTORY DANCE can pay for the vanilla lattes by landing the Lavazza Handicap (3.10) run over a mile and a half at Ascot.

Winner

This listed winner runs in this company for the first time off a perch of 102, and Will Buick is riding like a man possessed now. Second in a Group Two affair last campaign, the top weight can outclass his rivals.

I’m banking on the fact that the great Aidan O’Brien would not be running Derby hero, AUGUSTE RODIN, in the Group One Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.20) over a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown if he didn’t believe the son of Deep Impact would win.

He has won this race for the last four years, so he knows what it takes to land this prestigious prize.