Baaeed

Steve Ryder (SR): The William Haggas trained colt is unbeaten in his nine career starts over a mile and this is the first time he will be stepping up in distance to 1m2f. On both running style (settles well in his races) and pedigree (by Sea The Stars and is a brother to 1m6f winner Hukum) that should prove no concern and he is expected to justify his short price in this race (1/2). 

Andy Holding (AH): Having run out of viable opponents over a mile, it looks very much like Baaeed will head to the Knavesmire to seek fresh competition over further. Being by Sea The Stars - who landed the York feature in 2009 - and a half-brother to Coronation Cup winner Hukum, you'd like to think William Haggas' colt will stay the trip well, and if that possibility does prove to be the case, it will open up a whole host of new options further down the line. 

Whether he is a betting proposition at his current best price of 1/2, however, is a moot point, as it all depends on what set of connections are willing to take on officially the world's best horse.

Mishriff

SR: The John & Thady Gosden trained five-year-old was an impressive six length winner of this race last season and in any other year he would be fancied to repeat his victory in this race. 

He has been campaigned in the same races as last year (placed in both the Coral Eclipse at Sandown and King George VI Stakes at Ascot) and his run last time at Ascot over 1m4f proved that this distance of 1m2f is his optimum. It will be interesting to see who rides the colt following David Egan parting ways but he looks sure to be involved in the finish again this year. 

"As it stands, Mishriff is the biggest danger according to the layers"

 

AH: As it stands, Mishriff is the biggest danger according to the layers (best 4/1) and having been at his most impressive when landing this prize 12 months ago it's hard to argue against him being the obvious each-way alternative.

Although he was slightly below par in The King George, 1m2f clearly suits him better (unlucky in the Eclipse) and with John & Thady Gosden's entire being one of only two C&D winners in the list of entries, that vital track knowledge at least gives him some sort of hope of toppling the favourite. 

Native Trail 

SR: Champion juvenile and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Native Trail ran well to finish a close 3rd on his first try over 1m2f at Sandown in the Coral Eclipse and this looks the likely next start for the colt. 

His strongest furlong was always the last over a mile and despite being beaten in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket he got his classic at the Curragh with a 1 ¾ length success. The three-year-old faces two fantastic older horses in this race and the concern is that there have only been four three-year-old winners of this race since Sea The Stars in 2009. 

AH: Of the others from the Classic generation, Native Trail is not without hope as his run in the Eclipse proved that he can mix it against the very best over 1m2f, while Luxembourg would be an intriguing participant should he face the starter on what would be his first outing since finishing third in the 2000 Guineas.

Nashwa

SR: Connections of Nashwa now know that 1m2f is the perfect trip for the filly but according to John & Thady Gosden she will be kept against her own sex for the rest of the season and will instead head to the Prix de l’Opera. That is a shame for the French Oaks and Nassau Stakes winner but it is understandable given the strength of the race this year. 

AH: With the Breeders Cup nominated as her long-term goal, it's highly unlikely she will go down this particular route.

State Of Rest

SR: Another doubtful runner towards the head of the market is the Joseph O’Brien trained State Of Rest who instead heads to the Prix Jacques Le Marois the weekend before this race.

He has won two Group 1s over 1m2f so far this season in the Prix Ganay and the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot but connections appear to be favouring another race outside of the UK and Ireland for the globetrotting four-year-old. 

Sir Busker

AH: Sir Busker makes some appeal at current quotes of 40/1 as it could well be that the field on the day cuts up to less than eight runners. Should that likely scenario come to fruition, William Knight's gelding's excellent track form of 241 might allow him to fill one of the positions on the podium.

SR: With the presence of Baaeed and Mishriff in the field, this race could cut up significantly and I personally think the current value in the race is Sir Busker (best priced at 40/1) with three places still available. Amazingly, it was the first time that William Knight had run the six-year-old over 1m2f in his 37-race career and he should a fantastic attitude to defeat Dubai Honour by a nose. 

That race looked strong with Royal Ascot winners Dubai Future and Claymore finishing over four lengths behind them that day and he has been confirmed as targeting this race. With a rating of 110 I am aware that he has a lot to find with both Baaeed and Mishriff but he could fill the 3rd place that is currently available and I think he is worth backing at this stage.