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| Staff Writer |
Trainer Ed Walker’s bid to win his first Gr.1 race with stable star Starman is clearly in danger with the ground being declared soft while the prospects of leading rival Dream Of Dreams have improved.
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Walker has been extremely confident of his lightly-raced filly's ability to land the big prize but concerned at the impact of soft ground.
“Good, honest fast summer ground would be in our favour,” he said. “Starman’s able to show his turn of foot on a fast surface. When he was disappointing in last year’s Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot the ground was shocking and we put a line through that.”
The ground was faster for Starman’s seasonal debut in a Gr.2 event at York.
Sir Michael Stoute has no such fears for his 7YO Dream Of Dreams. The conditioner hopes that after two previous attempts where the son of Dream Ahead has been beaten a head in this race in both 2019 and 2020, he is third-time lucky, especially with the softer ground.
Stoute said: “Twice the winning post has come just too soon. We’re hoping for a change of luck. He looks in good shape physically and mentally and I’m sure he’ll be competitive again. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t run as well as he has done before.”
Nahaarr's performance in the Duke Of York Stakes (1200m) gives William Haggas confidence. His belief in Nahaarr’s improvement and toughness – the 5YO was having his first run at Group level at York – is indicated by having considered running him twice at the meeting.
Archie Watson's 7YO Glen Shiel will go for Gold under Hollie Doyle, with softer conditions that give the gelding every chance. The son of Pivotal who was formerly trained by Andre Fabre, took his form to a new level last season, winning the Phoenix Sprint Stakes before taking the Gr.1 Champions Sprint over the same C&D.
Criteria: Distance: 6f (1,207 metres),Surface: Turf, Track: Straight, Qualification: 4YO+ (Southern Hemisphere 3YOs allowed), Weight: 9 stone 3 lb, Allowances: 3 lb for fillies and mares, Purse: £250,000 (2020),1st: £148,000
Runner list: Art Power, T. Easterby, S. Sousa, Dream Of Dreams, S. Stoute, R. Moore, Emaraaty Ana, K. Ryan, A. Atzeni, Garrus, C. Hills, J. Doyle, Glen Shiel, A. Watson, H. Doyle, Happy Power, A. Balding, J. Crowley, Nahaarr, W. Haggas, T. Marquand, Namos, D. Moser, W. Buick, Royal Commando, C. Hills, K. Shoemark, Starman, E. Walker, O. Murphy, Summerghand, D. O'Meara, D. Tudhope, Ventura Rebel, R. Fahey, P. Hanagan, Final Song, S. Suroor, F. Dettori, Sonaiyla, P. Twomey, W. Lee
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