Pieros

With Charlie Appleby's horses returning to a decent level of form, Del Maro seems a bit of a forgotten horse and is worth an each-way play at 16/1. An 850,000 gns yearling, he needed time and experience before showing plenty of improvement once stepped up in trip. He produced a strong effort to win a good novice at Yarmouth that has already yielded two subsequent winners. He then ran with credit at Chester against classy opposition when the yard was going through a quieter spell. He went very close at Goodwood last time out in a small-field race that developed into a sprint off a steady pace, going down by only a nose. The extra two furlongs here could bring out further improvement, and I am interested to see how he fares in what looks a competitive contest. At the prices, he makes some each-way appeal.

Not surprised to see Minnie Hauk heavily backed in the last few hours, despite the ground being on the quick side for her. She ran a bit of a strange race last time out at the Curragh, racing prominently before being held up and then struggling to close the gap in a race that developed into a sprint. She won very easily on her seasonal reappearance, showing she retains all her ability, and she has obviously been targeted at the Arc again this term, having finished a close second in last year's renewal. She completed a remarkable four-timer in the Oaks at Chester, Epsom, the Curragh and York last season, and I'm not particularly worried about the drop in trip as the pacemaker should ensure this becomes a proper test of stamina. At around 11/2 she has obvious each-way claims, with the yard going really well on day one.