Are you for or against Point Lonsdale in the Chesham?

I get the feeling that Point Lonsdale is Aidan O’Brien’s best juvenile and I expect he’ll be strong in the market after his impressive debut in an excellent time, but he’s a short enough price given the depth of opposition. It’s interesting that Reach For The Moon reopposes New Science, so the Gosdens may well think they can reverse the Yarmouth form.

I was impressed with Great Max when he made a winning debut at Newbury, so I think he could put it up to the favourite. He’s by Wootton Bassett so you wouldn’t think he’d mind ground with a bit of ease in it.

Despite obvious credentials gained via a well-hyped, wide-margin success at Gowran Park, plus a fancy pedigree, he’s likely to be too short for me. I like the look of Masekela. It was pretty soft ground when he won the race at Goodwood that subsequent third in this – and later Derby hero – Masar won back in 2017, and the extra furlong should suit.

Against, in a word, although you could not fail to be impressed by his winning debut. I really liked how Great Max devoured the ground late on when he won over 6½f at Newbury on his first run. The clock largely backs up that success and plenty of his sire’s progeny go well on softer ground.

Aidan O’Brien has a good record in this and you can’t knock the impression Point Lonsdale made when winning his maiden, but Godolphin beat one of his hotpots two years ago when Pinatubo saw off Lope Y Fernandez and I can see that happening again. New Science won what looked a good Yarmouth novice three weeks ago and is a more appealing option.