Sires Kingman and Too Darn Hot were victorious in the Gr3 Virgin Bet Solario Stakes (16h38) as juveniles and today’s contest could provide another top-class sort.
Six colts contest the 7-furlong feature on ground likely to remain good to soft with two, Starlore and Aablan unbeaten.
Sir Michael Stoute has sent out only one juvenile winner so far this term, but Starlore can double up for both and provide relief for a stable struggling for form.
The Kingman colt won his debut over course and distance back in July, hanging in the closing stages and idling in front to eventually hold on by a nose from Maximum Dividend.
Although a narrow winner, he looked very green that day and the form of that race looks strong with two subsequent winners including a Listed race. Ryan Moore retains the ride.
Charlie Appleby saddles Aablyn
Aablan, a Godolphin owned Dubawi colt, narrowly won a maiden at Newmarket on good ground and could be anything. James Doyle is aboard once more.
The selection however is Mortlake, a Churchill colt, from the red-hot Ralph Beckett yard. An easy 5-length winner at Leicester last month, leading throughout, he could be hard to pass at the Esher course. Rossa Ryan keeps the ride.
Earlier on the card, Coppice could be the one to side with in the Gr3 Virgin Bet Atalanta Stakes (15h25), for fillies and mares over a mile.
The Gosdens saddle her and fellow 3-year-old Queen For You who also holds a winning chance, but the selection is the Kieran Shoemark ridden and Juddmonte owned Coppice.
The daughter of Kingman won two of her last three starts over a mile in good fashion, including the Sandringham Stakes at the royal meeting. She then ran a commendable 5th behind her high-class stablemate Nashwa in the Gr1 Falmouth last month.
This big drop in grade will make things a lot easier and she will benefit from what looks to be a strongly run race.
