Autumn Stakes Group 3

                                                                  Autumn Stakes Group 3

Often an informative contest with last years contest proving particularly strong with the first 6 all receiving a rating of at least 110 in their 3 year old seasons. The winner Trading Leather went on to Irish Derby success following in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas, who finished 2nd in this race when it was ran at Salisbury in 2005, before going to becoming an Arc hero as a four year old.

God Willing - Rare debutant winner from the Ed Dunlop yard before finishing a slightly disappointing fifth behind Miracle of Medinah last time. Would be too soon to right him off, his debut win has worked out, but needs more to contend here

Kingston Hill - Unbeaten having won readily on debut for a trainer who has a cracking record first time out with his juveniles. That was a taking performance although it is likely those in behind aren't up to much. Still unexposed and considered

Mount Logan - 135,000 euros yearling who is out of a full sister to group one winner Observatory who impressed when winning a mile maiden at Yarmouth last time. The form has yet to be tested but his Racing Post trophy entry suggests he is well thought of. Another unexposed contender who has the potential to step up

Nezar - Consistent type who is rated 96 having finished third, ahead of God Willing, in the Somerville last time. That would seem a fair reflection of his ability and likely to have to find more to take this

Oklahoma City - £675,000 colt who is from the family of crack stayer Kayf Tara who made a severe dent in that purchase price when taking the big sales pot at Newmarket last week. Had ran well in group company before that and has to be well respected in this line up

Pupil - Hannon colt who was well behind God Willing on debut. Was favourite that day, so obviously well thought of, and the money came again on second start when he made no mistake. Was a close up, likely he was flattered by the margin, third to the Racing Post bound Pinzolo last time and will need to improve to take a hand in this

Safety Check - Consistent sort from Godolphin who defied top weight in a course and distance nursery last time. Now rated 99 he is deserving of this step up in class. Likely to run a solid race but well enough exposed and it would be disappointing if he proved good enough

Sir Jack Layden - Produced a career best last time when finishing third to Berkshire and has been handed a 23lb rise on the back of that display. The handicapper thinks he has every chance in this, however i am not convinced. Even with Murtagh on board he looks an unlikely winner to me

Truth or Dare - Hat trick seeking colt who beat four time nursery winner comfortably on last start. That was a fair performance but slightly off putting that Hughes chose to ride Pupil. Think he may be underestimated by the market due to Hughes desertion and could go well at a price

Verdict- Open looking Group 3 in which Irish challenger Oklahoma city sets the standard. However he isn't being campaigned like one Ballydoyle have high hopes for and i want to oppose him. Finding a rival who could potentially run up to 108 is proving tricky though. I will take a chance on the supposed second string of the Hannon team Truth or Dare who relished the step up to a mile last time when dismissing a decent yardstick. Of the rest Safety Check can finish in the frame with the unexposed Kingston Hill rating as the dark horse

1 Truth or Dare
2 Oklahoma City
3 Safety Check