With the Derby only two weeks away, this trial gives trainers another opportunity to test the water with their horses, even though it must be said that it would be a major upset if any of today's entries were to go close at Epsom. Free Agent is by far the most interesting horse in the race and is unexposed in terms of the distance but he does have to overcome a fitness battle. Chock A Block is likely to go well for Goldolphin and Sight Unseen looks to build on his pleasing run in the Chester Vase.
Free Agent is the likely favourite for Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes but his price is based more on reputation, even though he has been very impressive in his two starts to date. After winning his maiden in good style, where he beat subsequent Breeder's Cup Juvenile winner Donativum by five lengths, he went on to win the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was well fancied that day and was expected to improve for the step up to 7f and he won in the manner of a smart prospect. After being settled in rear early, he moved over to the stands' rail and came through with a powerful late run to win by two lengths, even though he wasn't stopping at the finish. The Queen-owned colt was due to run in the Dee Stakes at Chester but a bruised foot halted his preparation and he was ruled out of the race by connections. He is currently 33/1 for the Derby and if he wins today his odds will shorten considerably as he will state that he can stay this extended trip. He is going into unknown territory as he is up in distance by 4f and he does not have the benefit of a race this season. He will appreciate the quick ground and looks the type to improve with experience. He looks a good horse and should go close, providing he overcomes his immaturity.
Sight Unseen has a fitness edge over Free Agent having ran a nice race in the Chester Vase two weeks ago. After winning on debut at Newbury in the style of a smart performer, his trainer Henry Cecil chucked him straight into the Group 3 contest. He stayed on into fourth that day to finish five lengths behind the winner but he looked to find the course against him and inexperience may have taken its toll. Even though this track is tighter than most, he should find it more to his liking and the good ground will not hinder his chances. Being a son of Sadler's Wells, this trip holds no fears and he should see it out well under Tom Queally. He looks interesting on his third start and his trainer is no mug when training horses for big races, so he should be monitored closely in the betting before the race. If Free Agent fails to live up to his high expectations, Sight Unseen may be the one to capitalise.
Chock A Block is an intriguing runner for the back-in-form stable of Saeed Bin Suroor, and having only had one career start, he could be anything. He won on his debut in France over 1m 1f and looks as if he will improve for the step up in distance. He won easily that day and even though the form is hard to pin down, it can be guaranteed that Frankie Dettori will take no prisoners and may make the running to try and expose any flaws in Free Agent's stamina. Even though his debut win came on softer ground, it is unlikely that this quicker surface will pose any problems for him and it would be ignorant to rule him out.
Alwaary represents trainer John Gosden and owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and he comes here off the back of a decent run in Lingfield's Derby trial, won by Aidan O'Brien's Age Of Aquarius. He has had three starts to date, his first at Kempton where he finished third behind Dante flop Crowded House. He improved on his debut run to win next time out, where he won a modest Yarmouth maiden easily despite being easy to back. He was up in class massively for his seasonal debut at Lingfield and he looked out of his depth as he was outpaced in the straight. He stayed on at one pace but with that run under his belt, he could improve under Richard Hills. He is a big price for the Derby and is unlikely to play a part there but he may feature here, seeing as he will handle the ground and will stay this distance.
Selections: 1st - Free Agent, 2nd - Chock A Block, 3rd - Sight Unseen.
Result: 1st - Alwaary, 5/1, 2nd - Beauchamp Xerxes, 9/1, 3rd - Sight Unseen, 7/4 fav.
Only fine runners went to post for this weak-looking Listed race but it produced a very taking winner in Alwaary. Despite being keen early on due to the slow pace set by the front-running Chock A Block, he won pretty easily by three lengths. He travelled strongly for the whole journey behind the front three of Chock A Block, Free Agent and Sight Unseen and Richard Hills was forced to wait for a gap to appear, but when he found the split, Alwaary shot through and sprinted clear for a ready success. He is not entered for the Derby and trainer John Gosden indicated that he will go to Royal Ascot next. The form of this race may not look much to go on but after this victory, Alwaary must be taken seriously over or around this distance wherever he goes next. Beauchamp Xerxes was the outsider but ran a good race despite never threatening to spring a surprise. He was settled in rear under Ryan Moore but could only plug on up the straight, he should get further. Sight Unseen was well supported before the race and was aiming to build on an encouraging performance in the Chester Vase two weeks ago. He was always prominent for Tom Queally but he could never land a telling blow and was beaten about four lengths. He is another who will get further and he should not be ignored next time out. Free Agent ran well on his seasonal debut but he was a major market drifter before the off, suggesting that he would benefit from the run. He opened up at 2/1 but his starting price was around 5/1, however; he was not given a hard race when the winner had flown. Richard Hughes had the Queen's runner settled in second for most of the journey and he came to take over travelling well, only for race-fitness to catch him out. He stayed on well and was only pushed out with hands and heels, not even being shown the whip. He is expected to improve massively for this and connections believe he will stay further than this. Godolphin newcomer Chock A Block ran a poor race under Frankie Dettori. After setting a slow pace, he attempted to wind things up round the bend but found little for pressure and was left toiling at the back of the field. He has it all to prove next time out.
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