Normally these races take place in May, but with the UK horse racing cancelled during the corona virus crisis, both these Listed contests have been moved and are set to hopefully be run on Friday 5th of June 2020.
15/16 – Had won no more than once before 14/16 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting 13/16 – Had no more than 3 career runs 13/16 – Placed in the top 4 last time out 10/16 – Came from stall 5 or higher 10/16 – Went onto run in the Epsom Oaks (no winners, two seconds) 8/16 – Had only won over a mile or shorter in the past 8/16 – Returned 5/2 or shorter in the betting 8/16 – Having first run of the season 8/16 – Won last time out 6/16 – Raced at either Newbury (3) or Newmarket (3) last time out 6/16 – Winning favourites 5/16 – Winning distance exactly 6 lengths 4/16 – Winners from stall 5 4/16 – Had won over 1m2f before 3/16 – Trained by Ralph Beckett 2/16 – Trained by William Haggas 3/16 – Trained by John Gosden 2/16 – Irish-trained winners
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: This is another race the John Gosden team have done well in recently – winning 2 of the last three renewals – and they look to hold another very strong hand. Anastarsia runs for them and can’t be ruled out, but the jockey bookings suggest their other entry – MISS YODA – is their more fancied of the pair with Robert Havlin riding. This 3 year-old filly holds an Epsom Oaks entry and her pedigree (Sea The Stars) indicates we’ll see more on the track now she’s upped in trip. She’s the clear top-rated in the field and wasn’t disgraced last time out at HQ when a fair runner-up in the G3 Zetland Stakes. This longer trip will hopefully see her settle better and can be expected to have improved a lot in the 8 months off since. Of the rest, the Godolphin team run Lake Lucerne, while trainer Ralph Beckett has often targeted this race in the past so his HEART REEF can give the pick most to think about.
17/17 – Had won no more than 3 times 14/17 – Came from the top 3 in the betting 14/17 – Went onto run in the Epsom Derby (1 winner, Anthony Van Dyck, 2019) 13/17 – Returned 5/1 or shorter in the betting 12/17 – Finished 4th or better last time out 12/17 – Favourites placed 11/17 – Had run within the last 4 weeks 8/17 – Drawn in stall 1 or 2 5/17 – Won last time out 5/17 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien 4/17 – Ran at Newbury last time out 4/17 – Winning favourites 3/17 – Ridden by Ryan Moore High Rise (1998) and Anthony Van Dyck (2019) were the last winners to go onto win the Epsom Derby
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: Last season this race produced the Epsom Derby winner – but since 1998 – that’s still only happened twice. It looks a nice renewal, with many chances. The Mark Johnston yard have hit the ground running since the return of racing and they often do well with their raiders south to Lingfield – they run Dark Heart and King’s Caper and both look to be fair each-way options is all 8 runners stand their ground. Berkshire Rocco, Sound Of Cannons and English King have also shown a very good level of form to suggest they will be popular here too, but the call is KING CARNEY, to give trainer Charlie Fellowes one of his biggest wins at a trainer. This 3 year-old improved bundles at the end of last season to win twice at Nottingham and Pontefract. The last of those wins was in a Listed contest so this step up to a G3 looks the obvious progression and the way he kept on over that 1m trip, plus breeding (Australia), suggests this step up to 1m4f is within range. He holds an Epsom Derby entry too.