Salisbury - Wed 12 Aug 2026
EASY ANSWER didn't come up to scratch in the Coventry, but he was by no means disgraced and his debut third at Yarmouth suggested that a race such as this should be within his compass. Gold Reef City has performed below market expectations on both appearances to date so 125,000gns breeze-up purchase Saturn Star looks the pick of the Ralph Beckett duo, although Forbidden Fire and Flick Of An Eye are more interesting newcomers.
Supreme King was beaten less than three lengths when sent off favourite for a hot Glorious Goodwood handicap and his fine run of displays heading into that meeting included a shared second at Chepstow with Dr Strangelove. Both are previous C&D winners, as are Golden Brown and An Outlaw's Grace, but maybe REGIONAL ROCK can take the necessary step forward. Ralph Beckett's three-year-old was just ahead of Dandana when third on his handicap bow at Windsor and is open to plenty of improvement.
Quest For Stars displayed excellent resolution to spring a surprise on his Doncaster debut and then again when defying a penalty at Sandown. The extra furlong will play to his strengths, but it will for SCOMMESSA SICURA too. Andrew Balding's filly deservedly got her head in front in a Newmarket maiden that is working out well and her fillies' allowance could prove crucial. Rafe's da Man is turned out quickly following his Glorious Goodwood triumph, while Dandyman Dan has joined Oliver Cole since his Ascot third at this level, when he had Firehorse behind him.
Remi Mae got her head in front at Nottingham before the stewards had their say and demoted her to second for causing interference in the closing stages. Andrew Balding's filly is likely to be in the mix once again, but she may prove vulnerable to a less-exposed rival in the shape of BOLD SHOUT. Gelded after his second start here over 7f, the drop back in trip is unlikely to pose any issues. Stable companion Annie Sioux is a full-sister to dual-Listed winner Shagraan and has to be respected with Tom Marquand a very notable booking.
Musidora runner-up FELICITAS can get back to winning ways after finishing seventh in the Prix de Diane when last seen. Ed Walker's filly had progressed well prior to her trip to France and a considerable drop in class should allow her to gain a confidence-boosting success. Miss Scott is going in the right direction and remains open to improvement on just her fourth career start, while others to note include Alla Stella and On Message.
LONDONER's last success came off this mark at Lingfield in April and he arrives following a solid effort on turf at the same venue earlier this month. The six-year-old gets the vote at the main expense of Almekarem, who should prove happier dropping back in trip after failing to see out 1m4f on his latest outing at Newmarket. Eupator heads the remainder with the addition of cheekpieces a potential source of improvement.
Easy Answer appeals most of those with experience. His debut placed effort is worth marking up as he was given too much to do and his latest run at Royal Ascot is worth ignoring as he was out of his depth. He should find this much more suitable and can run well but he could be vulnerable to a talented newcomer with a trio looking dangerous. The Simon Crisford yard has been in excellent form with its newcomers so Flick Of An Eye is worth following in the betting. Saturn Star was an expensive purchase and 6f on fast ground looks a good place to start. He is respected for his top stable but FORBIDDEN FIRE gets the verdict. The only filly in the race has an attractive pedigree with her half-sister a multiple Group winner for this yard. Her dam was also a Group 1 winner at York's Ebor meeting so she could have too much class for this line up.
The unexposed REGIONAL ROCK is yet to add to his debut win but he proved he could be competitive off this mark when placing on his handicap debut. That run is worth marking up as he was given too much to do and he's open to further improvement for his top stable. An Outlaw's Grace was also poorly positioned last time having met plenty of trouble but he's been running back into form off a reduced mark recently. He can provide the main challenge ahead of the consistent Golden Brown who will find this much easier than his latest assignment which has been franked emphatically.
Dandyman Dan probably sets the standard on his game placed effort in the Pat Eddery Stakes last time. He has shown a liking for fast ground and has an experience edge but he does need to prove his stamina for this longer trip. That is unlikely to be an issue for Quest For Stars who is bred to get much further than this. His dam was a Listed winner in the France and the unbeaten colt has looked classy for his top yard so is likely to prove popular. However minor preference is for SCOMMESSA SICURA who also has an attractive pedigree with her half-brother running well in the Derby last year. She made good use of her experience in a hot maiden at Newmarket last time and her previous novice form couldn't be working out much better. She can take the step up in class and trip in her stride against the boys.
This looks a match race between BOLD SHOUT and Remi Mae. The latter was a touch unlucky to lose the race last time and has shown a consistent level of form. She boasts an experience edge and is ideally suited by fast ground but it is the former who is marginally preferred. His debut run sets the standard on ratings and his latest effort is worth forgiving as it came over a stretching 7f on unfavourable soft ground. Gris De Chine showed the benefit of a wind op last time and may do best of the remainder.
MISS SCOTT takes a big leap in class but she looks well worth a try at this level for last year's winning stable. She relished the step up to 10f last time when reversing form with her previous conqueror showing a liking for fast ground and she's open to plenty of improvement. Alla Stella has a poor strike rate but sets the standard on her recent Listed placed efforts in France. If she handles the quicker surface she can pose a big challenge along with the lightly raced Felicitas who was outclassed in the French Oaks last time. However her previous runner up effort in the Musidora took a boost at Epsom and she may well have more to offer down in class.
LONDONER holds no secrets from the handicapper but he is admirably consistent and should be able to defy top weight here. He has been beaten by some well treated unexposed rivals on his last couple of outings and his latest runner up effort has been boosted. Racing off the same mark he is expected to defeat Eupator who has been in decent form recently but arrives just 1lb above his last winning mark. Mythical Bird proved her effectiveness on turf last time and that run is worth marking up as she was given too much to do. If ridden more positively she could also play a part in the finish.
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