AWTAAD IS A SOFT TOUCH
OCTOGENARIAN trainer Kevin Prendergast has delighted in rolling back the years this season and AWTAAD (Ascot, 4.20) could provide further joy in today’s mouthwatering St James’s Palace Stakes.
The veteran handler has already overseen Classic success for the son of Cape Cross courtesy of a stunning Irish 2,000 Guineas win and the recent rain may play to the strengths of a horse which travelled beautifully at the Curragh last time prior to quickening clear of Galileo Gold.
Hugo Palmer’s vanquished English Guineas winner had previously destroyed a decent field at Newmarket so the form looks high class and it is only the presence of French Guineas hero The Gurkha which is preventing Awtaad being a red-hot favourite for the Group One event.
The only slight negative is his lack of experience around a right-hand bend. Yet he appears a well-balanced colt so it shouldn’t prove an issue and rider Chris Hayes is likely to have a good pace to aim at with the likes of Cymric and Ehtiraas acting as pacemakers.
The Gurkha also boasts a scintillating turn of foot and he couldn’t have been more impressive at Deauville when spreadeagling a decent field. But Awtaad narrowly gains the nod.
Two American speedsters dominate the morning markets for the Windsor Castle Stakes and it will be fascinating to see how Big City Dreamin and Drafted fare after explosive victories at Keeneland.
Conditions are very different today and the soft ground could play to the strengths of
MISTER TRADER (Ascot, nap, 5.35) who is likely to enjoy the stiff track more than most.