Astrology
Galileo colt out of a Group One winner who ran out an easy victor on debut despite being overlooked in the market. Third in both subsequent starts but had the Dewhurst winner and smart National Stakes second in front of him on the first occasion (Chester Vase fourth David Livingston in fourth) although the form of his Autumn Stakes run hasn't worked out so well. Should relish being stepped up in trip and holds leading form claims if handling the track/ground (unraced on worse than good).
Kingsdesire
Not as stoutly bred as some of his rivals but had no trouble in seeing out 10 furlongs at Doncaster when beating Epsom Derby Trial winner Goldoni. This looks more competitive than the race Andrew Balding's gelding won on the Downs and he has something to find on the bare form but done everything asked of him so far and deserves a crack at this level. Not currently entered in the Derby.
Oxford Charley
Interesting that his shrewd trainer has opted to eschew a workable handicap mark by running this colt in a Group Three and a Listed race since his winning debut at Salisbury. His final juvenile start can be ignored as little went right and there was more to like about his reappearance albeit not enough to suggest that he can trouble the best of this opposition. Entry in the St James's Palace Stakes suggests connections may have stamina reservations.
Prince Alzain
Progressed well on the all-weather this winter and took his form to a new level when chasing home Talwar (last in the Guineas) in a Lingfield Listed heat last month. The rise in class, trip and different ground are all questions that this colt needs to answer although stamina isn't expected to be an issue. Not a huge amount to find on the figures but others appeal as likelier candidates.
Uriah Heep
Built on a promising run in a backend Newmarket maiden behind a well-regarded winner (ninth in the Craven next time) when unlucky not to shed his maiden tag in the stewards room at Newbury over 11 furlongs although Minimise Risk didn't do too much for that form in the Vase. Trainer hasn't had a runner in this race for the last three seasons but has won it twice in the past decade, including with subsequent Epsom hero Kris Kin so it's interesting that he's been allowed to take his chance.
Summary
The underfoot conditions are clearly not ideal and trying to work out from the limited evidence available which of the runners will be able to act on the ground is problematical enough.
They have also led to the absence of the race's star attraction Bonfire while, although it's perhaps unwise to read too much into market prices, the betting on each occasion that he's made the track hasn't suggested that Astrology is among the stars in his powerful stable.
He is, however, the runner most likely to benefit from Bonfire's decision to bypass the race with Kingsdesire's participation also in doubt while Uriah Heep, respected though his connections are, has done nothing on the track to earn his ridiculously short morning price.
