The Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes highlights a Saturday packed full of action from eight different tracks. We’ve analysed the eight runners below, alongside an excellent offer from the Paddy Power, who are offering up to £20 Back as cash.
Catch Twentytwo (Jane Chapple-Hyam, David Egan) 40/1
South African import who was a Group 2 winner when trained by Paul Peter in that country. Moved to new yard in April, but two starts have resulted in two last-place finishes. Has admittedly run in strong races and notable hat he has faded badly at the end of those. Step back to 7f could well help, especially as two of three wins in South Africa came over that trip, but still has the most to prove.
Happy Power (Andrew Balding, David Probert) 7/2
Group 1s have often proved difficult for this King Power six-year-old, as his best trip is surely this one of 7f. Six of his eight career wins have come at this distance, but with most top level races at 6f or 1m, he has often found a few too good. Won readily at Leicester from a decent yardstick last time and is a multiple Group race winner who is not ground dependent. Nagging concern, however, that two runs over course and distance were below his best efforts over 7f elsewhere.
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Kinross (Ralph Beckett, James Doyle) 11/4
Stepped up notably last year, winning a pair of Group races over 7f, including this race 12 months ago. That came after 107 days off the track, and his record after at least eight weeks off is very good, with three wins in such cases. Comes here without a run since October, but that should not prove too much of an issue and he clearly developed significantly between three and four. If he has improved as much again, he will be formidable to beat, for all a little bit of rain would not go amiss.
Laneqash (Roger Varian, Jim Crowley) 15/2
Least experienced in the field after only six runs in his career. Only victory came on debut at Ascot as a two-year-old, but has generally run very well since, with one exception on heavy ground at Newbury to complete his juvenile campaign. Second and third in two Group 2s over this trip in the Hungerford Stakes and Park Stakes ad a three-year-old before looking uncomfortable in the closing stages at 1m most recently. Has to prove he will be fit after a long break and a gelding operation, but lightly raced and could be a sleeper in this field.
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Misty Grey (Tom Dascombe, Richard Kingscote) 12/1
Admirably consistent since joining Tom Dascombe. Yet to be out of the first four in ten starts for the yard, with an even split between handicaps and Listed company. None of the four wins he achieved were in the Listed contests though, for all he has often gone close, so this step up to Group 3 company looks tricky. Similarly, only made turf debut for this trainer over course and distance recently and that form, though solid, leaves him with a lot to find.
Pogo (Charlie Hills, Kieran Shoemark) 10/1
Two-time Listed winner, who has a big run in him at his best. Only narrowly failed in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket over 1m last autumn and enjoyed a break in Saudi Arabia and Dubai over the winter. Did not perform up to his highest standards there, but did win on his return last season, over this trip, at Leicester. This race is harder and difficult to know if he will show up in top order, but he is respected each-way.
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Spycatcher (Karl Burke, Clifford Lee) 6/1
Decent form, mostly over 6f, last term, but has stepped up since returning for an all-weather campaign since October. Won on the turf at Newmarket preceding that, before winning in Listed company at Lingfield in February. Returned to grass by finishing an excellent second in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes behind Highfield Princess. 7f form generally at a class below his truer sprinting exploits, as he was beaten by Misty Grey, in receipt of 2lb, in December. Looks to be improving, but suspicion that others will see out the trip better.
Sunray Major (John & Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori) 11/4
Made a very short-priced favourite for the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day last season, but flopped. Still time for him to come good after only seven career starts, and clearly rated highly given his entries this term. Fifth in Group 2 Sandown Mile on return in April and then ambitious tilt in the Lockinge resulted in him shaping well before fading into sixth late on. Drop back to 7f looks sensible on that evidence, but still needs a little more and price does not appeal.
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Verdict
With 7lb separating the entire field, it is no wonder it has an open feel. The horse to have demonstrated the most at this trip is KINROSS and though he may prefer a touch more rain, he is reliable when fresh and at this track. The latter cannot necessarily be said for Happy Power, though he could prove that evidence to be false based on other efforts, and he would be the second choice. The unexposed Laneqash and unpredictable Pogo come next.
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