13:50, bet365 Handicap
Kurakka 11/2, 1.5pts each-way (3 places)
There may only be 8 runners for this 3 year old heritage handicap but it is a quality renewal with improvers aplenty. King's Charter heads the weights after winning a decent novice race at Doncaster in good style. That looks fair form but he hasn't been missed by the handicapper and has been well found in the market. Urban Glimpse brings in decent from for the in form Andrew Balding stable but may lack some of the potential of his rivals. Marhaba Ghaiyyath is improving fast and has a likeable attitude. He's respected but slight preference is for Alan King's colt, Kurakka. This son of American stallion Megalia D'oro stepped up from his 2 runs at the back end of 2024 to win convincingly over this trip in a maiden at Chelmsford in the spring. The 3rd that day has gone close since in a decent novice. Kurakka stepped up on that effect again to win well on handicap debut over 12 furlongs at Haydock last time in a race that has thrown up plenty of winners since. He had plenty to spare that day and left the impression he can improve further on his mark. This step back in trip will hold no fears and given his pedigree you'd expect him to enjoy this faster surface. He looks the value in the race.
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14:25, Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes
Venetian Sun 8/13, 1.3pts win
Karl Burke's star juvenile filly looked like top class when winning the Albany at Royal Ascot and she should have too much for her opposition again here.
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15:00, bet365 Trophy
Real Dream 8/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)
Liari 18/1, 0.5pts each-way (4 places)
Liari 18/1, 0.5pts each-way (4 places)
This is an intriguing and open renewal of the day's main handicap. Oneforthegutter was 2nd in this 12 months ago and arrives in decent nick. He must have a chance but is higher in the weights this year and will need to find improvement. Endless Victory top the weights for Charlie Appleby and William Buick and heads the market after his eye-catching run at Royal Ascot. Defying top weight will be hard here though and he doesn't strike as a consistent sort. Align The Stars is back on his last winning mark but has been on a bad run of form. Insanity arrives off the back of a win at Ayr and is unexposed at the trip. Story Horse is another improving type who arrives here fresher than some after missing Royal Ascot. He's won at the other course here and the form of his Goodwood 2nd reads very well. He's respected, as is Northumberland Place runner-up Dancing In Paris for all that it did seem Newcastle was the big aim and now has to back up from that big effort 13 days later. Real Dream is another who is backing up quickly after finishing 3rd in the Coral Marathon just 7 days ago. That effort means he's well in here and looks to hold every chance with Tom Marquand taking the ride for the first time. He's now a pound lower than when 2nd in a Rowley Mile handicap last spring and 2 pounds lower than when he finished an unlucky 3rd in the Roseberry at Kempton this April. His run at the Royal Meeting was better than the placing suggested and if Marquand came time his run right here, he should have a big chance. At the prices, Michael Bell's Liari is worth chancing too. He bolted up on stable debut in May and you can put a line through his run in the Ascot Stakes. He's still pretty unexposed and a big price.
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15:35, Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes
January 15/8, 3pts win
This year's Group 1 Falmouth Stakes, the highlight of day 2, is lacking a superstar and is perhaps ripe for the picking by an improver. Elmalka caused an upset in last year's 1000 Guineas and although she has run well since without winning, she's looking exposed and vulnerable for win purposes. Crimson Advocate downed Cinderella's Dream at Royal Ascot and must have a big shout. The ground will suit but she has done all her winning on round tracks and this stiff straight mile may not suit. The Godolphin filly must have a chance of reversing Ascot form, especially as she is 3 pounds better off at the weights but she too is beginning to look exposed and may lack potential. Elwateen is a nice looking and well bred daughter of Dubawi but needs to step up on her form in 2 classics so far this year. Running Lion would go close on the best of her form but isn't reliable these days and although German 1000 Guineas winner Lady Ilze shouldn't be dismissed out of hand, she looks to have it all to do on bare form. Atsila downed the Coronation Stakes winner on just her second start earlier this year and is of interest but it is worrying how she didn't put up much of a show in the Irish 1000 Guineas and has been given time off since. All of these fillies have questions to answer and may find it hard to fend off the Ballydoyle contender January. This daughter of Kingman brigs in classy juvenile form having been runner up to 1000 Guineas winner Desert Flower in the Fillies' Mile in October. That was on easy ground but she won at Listed level last year on good to firm. She was disappointing on seasonal debut when finishing a mere 8th in the Irish Guineas but that was probably needed that and was only a 2nd string on the day. She showed improvement for that outing when finishing 3rd in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot where she shaped as though there was more to come still. This stiff, straight mile looks sure to suit and given natural improvement she should take all the beating here.
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16:10, Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes
Distant Storm 2/1, 0.5pts win
This maiden was on by Field Of Gold last year. Godolphin shelled out 1,900,000 guineas for Distant Flower. He is very well bred and the stable like to bring their good ones to maidens here.
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16:45, Dubai Racing Club Handicap
Sterling Knight 9/1, 0.75pts each-way (3 places)
Ed Dunlop's likeable 6 year old Sterling Knight has won at the track before and is proven on the ground. Ryan Moore takes over and this son of Camelot is well handicapped on his best form. Looks to hold a fair chance.
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17:20, debenhams.com Handicap
Grandlad 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)
4 year old Acclamation gelding Grandlad was touched off by reopposing Nogo's Dream at Windsor last time out but now goes in search of revenge with a 4 pound pull at the weights. He's well handicapped on last year's form and after 2 poor efforts earlier this year he's now back on track. If he can step up on that effort he should be going close here. Trainer James Horton's last runner was an 18/1 winner at Brighton 2 days ago.
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