Features / Timeform / 24 June 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Timeform take a look at a race with a rich history of producing Group 1 winners...

"He's (Strong Suit) already as short as 7/1 favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas."

Traditionally the race that gathers the cream of the early 2-y-os and a renewal to fit the bill perfectly, Strong Suit looking a Group 1 winner in the making ( the last three winners of this all went on to win at the highest level), his effort just as exceptional as the same stable's winner from last year, Canford Cliffs, when factoring in the trouble he met, by far worst affected by crowding just after halfway and value for at least a two-length win having done really well as it was to reel in Elzaam, who had gone well clear and himself looks a very useful colt.

Strong Suit came with a big recommendation having won the same maiden as Canford Cliffs had for this yard in 2009 and, more importantly, the form of that success had been given significant boosts since (second and third both won impressively since), and he justified the hype with marked improvement of his own, the narrow margin in no way a fair reflection of the amount he had in hand, doing remarkably well to even get there having been continually hampered in the second half of the race, shuffled back to almost last over two furlongs out and then bumped again as he was quickening through, making up some three lengths in the last furlong alone; he's well formed but has enough size to think he'll train on into 2011 and, with his pedigree suggesting seven furlongs and further will be in his favour, he's already as short as 7/1 favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas; nearer to hand, he'll obviously be the one to beat in the July Stakes at Newmarket and/or the Richmond at Goodwood, still having plenty of improvement in him judged on this.

Elzaam backed up the impression made at York on this much bigger stage, unsuprisingly so given the way that form has worked out, caught only late by one that is potentially out of the top drawer, after quickening clear impressively in the penultimate furlong, maintaining the margin to the third; his superiority over the rest puts him on a par with most winners of this race, but there's more to come from him in all likelihood, bearing in mind he's bred to stay at least seven furlongs.

Roayh took another big step forward, impressing with his speed as he had when winning at Goodwood, leading this stronger field to past halfway and game once headed, the way he kept on suggesting seven furlongs will be within reach, though he's in no way in need of it; he'll be a big force in lesser pattern races than this over the coming months.

Samuel Morse failed to progress further but added substance to his previous efforts (listed winner), deserving extra credit as one of those to come from rear, gradually closing upped in trip, promising to stay further still.

Klammer has maintained his progress through three starts so far and is likely to keep that up, particularly at seven furlongs, bred to be suited by further and very much shaping accordingly in face of his stiffest task yet, off the bridle as soon as any and finishing best of all, if hanging right.

Zoffany faced a totally different task to when winning a four-runner minor event at Naas last month and still showed signs of inexperience, not settling fully and seeming put off when briefly short of room; the impression he'd made before shouldn't be forgotten yet, and he has plenty of physical scope.

Tags: Canford Cliffs, Richard Hannon, Royal Ascot, Strong Suit