Superstar Calyx can bounce back in style

Big Brothers Pride

Francois Rohaut-trained filly carries the hopes of France and impressed when bolting up in the Group 3 Prix Sigy last time. Previously quite disappointing at the same track when eighth of 12 in a Listed event, but she put that performance well behind with an impressive victory on good to soft ground at Chantilly. Rates a smart prospect and has any amount of untapped potential, but French form is tougher to gauge in this context.

Calyx

One of the most impressive Coventry Stakes winners in recent years when the field broke into two groups and Khalid Abdullah’s colt pulled well clear of his rivals on the stands’ side. The five horses who followed home the son of Kingman were on the far side and tht Group 2 victory came just ten days after an emphatic maiden win at Newmarket. Missed the rest of the season following a setback but proved the talent is still there with a blistering return at Ascot in the Group 3 Pavilion Stakes in May. Blotted his copybook for the first time when finishing second in the Sandy Lane Stakes to Hello Youmzain, showing greenness before and during the race, but superb course form still makes him of interest.

Fairyland

Tough-as-teak juvenile who claimed a well-earned first Group 1 success when fending off The Mackem Bullet in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Her sole defeat as a two-year-old came at Royal Ascot when beaten less than a length behind Main Edition in the Albany Stakes and she made an encouraging return when fifth in the 1,000 Guineas. The daughter of Kodiac shaped as if she didn’t quite see out the mile at Newmarket, but still ran in the Irish 1,000 Guineas where she was never in contention and a return to sprinting looks sure to suit. She can make her presence felt in receipt of weight from the colts and further strengthen the powerful hand of trainer Aidan O’brien.

Hello Youmzain

Posted a career-best RPR of 114 when upsetting Calyx in the Sandy Lane Stakes after finishing fourth to Mohaather in the 7f Greenham Stakes at Newbury. Looks an out-and-out 6f horse but likely caught Calyx on an off day and may find it tough reopposing that rival. Struck at Group 2 level as a juvenile after losing out to San Donato on his second start and he certainly looks a sprinter on the up. Cannot be readily dismissed, although falls short of top class.

Jash

Smart juvenile last year who proved he had trained on when defeating useful pair Azano and Watan on his seasonal reappearance over 7f in a Listed Newmarket event. Top-class effort when beaten half a length by Ten Sovereigns in the Middle Park at Newmarket after winning his first two starts as a juvenile. Connections will be set a conundrum in whether to step down to the Commonwealth Cup trip or stretch him over further, but he looks one of the best Simon Crisford has trained. Merits respect, although this looks an aboveaverage Commonwealth Cup.

Khaadem

Charlie Hills-trained sprinter who is riding the crest of a wave and made a stylish return when winning a Listed event at Newbury in May. Deserving of a step up to Group 1 level after winning three on the bounce but is held by Calyx after finishing 11 lengths behind the John Gosden-trained colt on his debut. Will need to improve on an official rating of 107 but has time on his side and this lightly raced son of Dark Angel adds more intrigue to a fascinating puzzle.

Lady Kaya

Highly tried as a two-year-old and among the best Irishtrained fillies last season, not beaten far behind Skitter Skatter in the Moyglare and Debutante Stakes at the Curragh. Won the 1,000 Guineas Trial over 7f on her return and travelled like the winner in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket before not quite staying the mile, but she boosted her burgeoning profile by being beaten only a length by dual Guineas heroine Hermosa. Beat Pink Dogwood by ten lengths in her maiden last season and has been brilliant for trainer Sheila Lavery. The daughter of Dandy Man looks tailor-made for all the top 6f races this season and could prove the each-way value.

San Donato

Son of Lope De Vega who posted a big career-best on heavy ground over a mile in the Poule d’essai des Poulains on his last run. That was his seasonal return and the Roger Varian-trained colt appears versatile regarding trip. Form when defeating Hello Youmzain at Haydock last season has been rubberstamped this year but his massive run in France may suggest sprinting is a thing of the past. Jersey or St James’s Palace could be likelier targets but should not be fully ignored if pitching up here.

Shine So Bright

Fifth in last season’s Coventry Stakes behind Calyx when with Karl Burke after making a winning debut, but has progressed this season in the care of Andrew Balding. Classy winner of the European Free Handicap at Newmarket before running a creditable sixth behind Magna Grecia in the 2,000 Guineas. Improved form has coincided with a step up in trip, so the Jersey Stakes or St James’s Palace may be more viable targets.

So Perfect

Ultra-consistent two-year-old who finished within a whisker of achieving a first Group 1 twice last season when second to Advertise in the Phoenix Stakes and a close third to stablemate Fairyland in the Cheveley Park. The daughter of the late Scat Daddy has proved her versatility by winning over 5f and not being beaten far when third to Dandhu on her seasonal comeback in the 7f Fred Darling Stakes. Aidan O’brien has since elected to keep her sprinting, which was vindicated with a fine victory in the Lacken Stakes at Naas and her sire’s progeny have a fine record at Ascot so she is firmly in the mix off her 110 rating.

Ten Sovereigns

In any normal year Ten Sovereigns may have been champion two-year-old colt but the juvenile crop were wellabove average. The son of No Nay Never made a winning debut for Aidan O’brien before landing the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes just five weeks later, defying greenness to do so. Attempted to stay a mile in the 2,000 Guineas and ran a fine race in fifth despite losing his unbeaten record. Sprinting looks his game and his sire won the 2013 Norfolk Stakes on just his second racecourse outing, so a bold bid is expected.

Verdict

It was bitterly disappointing to see Calyx beaten at Haydock last time out but that was surely not his true running. There are no concerns about the track after two stunning victories here and last season’s Coventry Stakes hero can bounce back, restoring his massive reputation. The plan to return Ten Sovereigns to sprinting trips looks wise and he rates another top-class colt who should run a massive race. Lady Kaya, another who is of interest dropping in trip after finishing second in the 1,000 Guineas, could also go well in a fascinating race.

1 Calyx

2 Ten Sovereigns

3 Lady Kaya