Racing Post

Trends analysis

JAMES HILL

It’s no positive if a contender has already won over the distance

The Derby apart, it’s still quite early in a colt’s career to be running over a mile and a half, and the quality horses tend to have plied their trade over shorter up to this point, which helps explain why eight of the last ten winners had yet to strike at 1m4f.

Pay special attention to those who have recorded a top-two finish at Newmarket this season. For some reason

Rowley Mile form seems to provide the winner of this race more than any other at the royal meeting – as many as seven in the last ten runnings – which could be something to do with the trials run there. Races like the Newmarket and Feilden Stakes aren’t quite up to the Derby standard, but are perfect trials for a Group 2 such as this.

Also look for any horse who has won a handicap that term as they do surprisingly well, last year’s winner Old Persian being one such example having taken a Newmarket race off 94.

Verdict

Aidan O’brien might field one of his Derby also-rans here, but Gallinule winner Constantinople is the most interesting of his entrants, and Ascot is a possibility. He’s preferred to Pablo Escobarr for the home team. Both went close to winning handicaps in the spring.

FRIDAY 3.05 KING EDWARD VII STAKES

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2019-06-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2019-06-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

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