Big Race Perspective / Timeform / 31 May 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Timeform share their Perspective entries on this Group 3 over seven furlongs, otherwise known as the John of Gaunt Stakes...

"MAIN AIM has a few quirks...but is essentially consistent... and he was almost back to his very best following a promising reappearance"

One of just a handful of opportunities for Group horses at this trip and it attracted a fitting field, the winning effort very smart, and the placed pair are both solid yardsticks for the grade. The pace was modest early and those held up were disadvantaged, none of them making any impression in fact.

MAIN AIM has a few quirks (typically edgy/sweating beforehand) but is essentially consistent, his two flops in 2009 easily explained (treated for ulcers after the second occasion), and he was almost back to his very best following a promising reappearance, made to dig deep encountering soft ground for the first time since his first season, having taken over smoothly around two furlongs out. His second in last year's July Cup (hampered) is evidence that he can cut it in Group 1s and he'll be up in grade again next time.

DONCASTER ROVER has improved a chunk since last year, verging on very smart now, only narrowly behind Main Aim in the Duke of York earlier in the month and backing that up with another excellent effort, the extra furlong seeming in his favour given how he rallied, albeit with the rail to help.

DREAM EATER is the sort that needs things to fall right if he's to win, though a good test at this trip has served him well on a few occasions (stays a mile, but can pull hard), and he was right at his best after eight months off, beginning his effort later than the first two. He's raced mostly on good or firmer ground (acts on firm).

LORD SHANAKILL wasn't discredited in form terms but did seem rather laboured, at least in the finish, having gone smoothly from the front to two furlongs out, and this is the first time he's encountered soft ground since his debut, whilst he was wide in the straight, too.

GEORGEBERNARDSHAW has a more consistent record on going softer than good and, though slightly out of his depth, he ran well by his own standards, if displaying a typically awkward head carriage.

LOVELACE remains at the top of his game in all likelihood, poorly placed as this went held up) and not unduly knocked about once it was clear he was making no impact.

DREAM LODGE is best at further nowadays (stays 10.4f) and races mostly on firmer ground, so it's best to forgive this.

AUTUMN BLADES has progressed into a useful handicapper but this was a step too far (made no impression).

MIA'S BOY's overall profile suggests he'll bounce back and something clearly wasn't right this day (eased).

Tags: Doncaster Rover, Haydock, Lord Shanakill, Main Aim, Timeform Jury Stakes