Seven go to post for this 3yo contest over 1m4f, three French, two English and an Irish pair. Good to Firm is the ground description.

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The French

The Francis Henri Graffard-trained Varandir is the mount of Mickael Barzalona. He’s unbeaten in three runs, improving in each. All have been on ground with some give. Last time out, he came from last to first to take the G3 Prix Hocquart over 1m3f.

Alam, trained by Mikel Delzangles, will be ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot. He has one win to his credit from five attempts. That was a G3 Prix Greffulh, a trial for the Prix du Jockey Club. In the Jockey Club, on good ground, after missing the break, he ran with great credit to finish fifth, 3L behind Constitution River.

Space Waltz, Andre Fabre’s representative, will have Stephane Pasquier in the plate. He is twice a winner from five outings. He won a Maiden, then tried at Listed and G3 level, he made the breakthrough last time out over 1m4f in the Prix du Lys Longines, winning comfortably.

The English

Willie Haggas’s Maltese Cross is partnered by Tom Marquand. He brings the Epsom form with him. He ran second to Christmas Day, having won the Lingfield Derby Trial beforehand.

Ancient Egypt, trained by Charlie Johnston, has David Egan on top. He also ran at Epsom, finishing eighth, but improved on that by finishing second at Royal Ascot.

The Irish

Aidan O’Brien sends Causeway under Ryan Moore. He beat Ancient Egypt at Royal Ascot when he took the King Edward VII over the 1m4f. That was his fifth win in six runs. He was beaten first time out in a Maiden but hasn’t put a foot wrong since. He won the Madrid Handicap, followed by a Listed win, a G3 success, and then the G2 at Ascot. That’s a path Aidan used for Paddington in the past.

Limestone, trained by Joseph O’Brien, is piloted by Dylan Browne McMonagle. This fella’s CV isn’t far off that of Causeway. Six starts, he’s won the last four, last time out he won the G2 Queens Vase over 1m6f at Royal Ascot. He’d previously won at Listed level over 1m5f.

Conclusion

This is the last Group 1 confined to 3-year-olds in the calendar.

It’s an open contest.

Only Mattese Cross and Alam have been tested at Group 1 level to date. Mattese Cross did very well to run second in the Derby on ground he probably didn’t like; this faster surface will be more to his liking. Alam did very well to come from last to fifth at Chantilly and looks as if the step up in trip will suit.

Of the other French pair, Varandir has the edge on Space Waltz; however, the ground is more of a concern for the former rather than the latter.

There’s not a lot between Causeway and Ancient Egypt, just a neck separated them at Ascot, Causeway was dogged in getting there. Limestone looked to need every yard of the trip at Ascot; however, he was very tough at the line.

Maltese Cross had a hard race at Epsom, and the fear is that it may leave its mark. Causway will battle, but it’s turn of foot that may decide this. Alam had to come wide at Chantilly from last place. He showed very good acceleration, provided he stays, and with a clearer passage, he can outdo the others.

Recommendation

Alam 11/2 win

Alam and Causeway Reverse Forecast

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