AdamCox13579

Simmering ran a nice race on debut and even backed her in the Albany last time out, the form is strong (even if the winner was value for more) as the 3rd & 4th have finished 2nd&3rd in a G2 but I don't see her open to that much improvement and she takes on some interesting unexposed rivals. Trainer Andrew Balding's runner usually improve a chunk for their debut outing so any debut winner has to be treated as above average and his filly here Handcuffed was not only a debut winner but well backed to do so. The form of that race is fine (nothing special) but she did it well (reminded me a little of dam's sire in the way she goes about her business) and she has size and scope to improve further.

Friendly Soul hasn't been seen since flopping the Musidora but that is probably a wise move as she probably shouldn't have even ran in that race just 10 days after a big performance on her seasonal reappearance. The selection showed good speed to make most in the Pretty Polly over the straight 1m2f at Newmarket, pulling well clear with Kalpana who has since advertised that as good form (4l listed winner last week and previously placed in the Ribblesdale). The step back to 1m shouldn't cause any issues and she actually comes out joint best at the weights with Soprano.

About half of this field are on my tracker and most have strong claims: Carrytheone has been unlucky in running the last twice, Orazio has long promised to be better than a handicapper and maybe getting it together now, Fresh has fallen to a winnable mark, Billyjoh is in-form, consistent and unexposed at the trip and I was on Bless Him last time out and he was better than the bare form but the biggest price one will carry my money and that is the old boy Summerghand. The selection is 11lbs lower than his last win and his recent form is decent. He finished 3rd in the Bunbury Cup and his 14th behind English Oak (Billyjoh/Carrytheone 2nd & 3rd) at the Royal Meeting can be upgraded as he finished 1st of the 10 on his side (albeit 12l adrift of the winner). This will be his 100th career start and he is no stranger to big field handicap success

A tough race to weigh up with Auguste Rodin capable of poor showing (and tbh it was a pretty weak Prince of Wales he won last time out with Inspiral running so badly), Rebel's Romance has become a winning machine but he looks flattered by his best win (Sheema Classic) as Buick rather stole it from the front and the rest aren't proven top class G1 perfomers. Bluestocking still has potential though, looking an improved horse this season, a big reappearance win over Free Wind was folled by a G1 against her own sex last time out beating Emily Upjohn and maybe unlucky Irish Oaks runner-up Content. The step back up to 1m4f doesn't look like it would be an issue but she did come up short over the trip last year (0-5)

Silver Sword won 3 times last season and having gone up to a mark of 103 he's found life more difficult this season but he has been set some tough tasks (3x listed/G3 races and arguably over the wrong trip as a trip 1m winner). A drop in the handicap to 98 will be a welcome relief and he can take advantage of the drop in trip and competition here. Recent form is the obvious worry but he's twice recorded RPRs of 101 this season (final 3 starts of last season 103-106-106 by the same measurement) so he's not been massively off it and first time cheekpieces may just spark him up a bit more.