Baaeed looks banker material as William Haggas’ star miler makes his return in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
There is a strong argument that this is the best Flat horse in training and the unbeaten four-year-old looks to pick up his third successive Group One prize in this one-mile contest, before a likely assignment in the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.
Unraced at two, the Sea The Stars colt made an immediate impact on track last season and steadily progressed through the ranks, finishing the campaign at the top table and lowering the colours of Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
Mother Earth and Alcohol Free were both among Baaeed's beaten rivals in that British Champions Day contest and have a stiff task on their hands to turn the tables here, while it is hard to see any of the other runners engaged taking the scalp of Baaeed's unbeaten record.
Haggas also has a strong hand in the BetVictor Carnarvon Stakes with Newcastle runner-up Tiber Flow, while course-and-distance scorer Ilaraab could build on his recent return in the John Porter to give the Somerville Lodge master back-to-back victories in the Group Three Al Rayyan Stakes.
The penny finally dropped for Marsoul when downing the well-regarded New Dimension to shed his maiden tag at Nottingham and he is an interesting runner stepping up in trip in the BetVictor London Gold Cup Handicap.
He cruised into contention in the manner of a good horse at Colwick Park and showed a willing attitude to keep finding more when challenged at the finish. The Shalaa colt was not stopping at the line there and could prove well treated on his handicap bow off a mark of 84.
Brocklesby winner Persian Force could give Richard Hannon further success on the card when he runs in the BetVictor Conditions Stakes. He has a smartly-bred newcomer from Aidan O'Brien's powerhouse Ballydoyle base and a course winner to take on, but the form of his Doncaster win has been franked in style by both the second and third since.
Elsewhere at Newbury do not be surprised to see Nashwa throw her hat into the Oaks picture when she steps up to 10 furlongs in the Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes. The Frankel filly was a taking winner at Haydock last time and John Gosden's grasp on the Epsom Classic could be tightened if Nashwa obliges in this Listed contest.
At Newmarket, Andrew Balding's Groundbreaker can get the day off to a winning start by following up his four-length Doncaster victory in the Denbury Homes Fairway Stakes. The Oasis Dream colt holds an entry in the King Edwards VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and this Listed event looks the perfect stepping stone to that Group Two contest with opposition thin on the ground.
Also at HQ, a strongly-run race, combined with a step up in trip, can help Pawapuri build on her fourth in a muddling 10 furlong event at this venue last time. The right horses appeared to be involved at the finish then and she was only beaten two and a half lengths.
The form of Mandobi's Ripon victory was franked by the second at Beverley next time and that provides enough encouragement to think that the Iffraaj colt could follow up stepping up to a mile and a half in Thirsk's Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Novice Stakes.
Also at the Yorkshire track Rathbone could put match-fitness to good use to follow up his Doncaster victory in the Sky Bet UK's No.1 Betting App Handicap. Kevin Ryan's six-year-old was a comfortable winner of this race 12 months ago and although 5lb higher this time, arrives in great order.
SELECTIONS:
BANGOR-ON-DEE: 1.05 Copper Fox, 1.40 Go On Chez, 2.15 Parisencore, 2.50 Costly Diamond, 3.25 Pennyforapound, 4.00 Do You Think, 4.35 Houston Calling, 5.07 Kilbarry Leader.
CHELMSFORD: 2.35 Foshan, 3.10 Neverbeen To Paris, 3.45 Crimson Sand, 4.20 Headingley, 4.55 Rogue Missile, 5.30 Bronze River, 6.00 Dors Toyboy.
DONCASTER: 5.33 Bookmark, 6.05 Lady Reset, 6.35 Mistrix, 7.10 Monty Man, 7.40 Deodar, 8.10 Come On John, 8.40 Prince Of Bel Lir.
NAVAN: 2.05 Beauty Crescent, 2.40 Instrumental, 3.15 Blind Beggar, 3.50 Celtic Manor, 4.25 Arbutus, 5.00 Fattan, 5.35 Newfoundland.
NEWBURY: 1.35 Tiber Flow, 2.10 Ilaraab, 2.45 MARSOUL (NAP), 3.20 Baaeed, 3.55 Persian Force, 4.30 Nashwa, 5.04 Oh This Is Us.
NEWMARKET: 1.50 Groundbreaker, 2.25 River Pride, 3.00 Shine So Bright, 3.35 Fairy Cross, 4.10 Pawapuri, 4.45 Lucia Joy, 5.20 Get It.
THIRSK: 2.20 Sideways Shift, 2.55 Leodis Dream, 3.30 Mandobi, 4.05 Rathbone, 4.40 Another Batt, 5.11 Eeh Bah Gum, 5.45 Magical Mile.
UTTOXETER: 5.15 Hidden Heroics, 5.50 Mozzaro, 6.20 Eglantine Du Seuil, 6.50 Found On, 7.20 Cheer's Delboy, 7.50 Stumps Or Slips, 8.20 Soul Icon.
WEXFORD: 1.55 Good As Hell, 2.30 January Jets, 3.05 Junior Bee, 3.40 Good World, 4.15 Ganapathi, 4.50 Sir Bob, 5.25 Walk In The Brise.
DOUBLE: Marsoul and Nashwa.
