Horris Hill Stakes Group Three [Colts and Geldings]

                                                       Horris Hill Stakes Group Three

Group Three which has struggled to produce a top class Colt since Tirol took the race in 1989 before going on to do the English-Irish Guineas double the following year. Other notable winners include Kris and Efisio. This years renewal looks a decent affair with five runners coming here having won on their last outing and one potential star arriving from across the channel

Anticipated- Winner of his first two races, but has been unable to win in his last six. His best run was a close up 2nd in the Molecomb and looks unlikely to improve for this step up to seven furlongs. Although rated 106 not difficult to pass over

Cordite- A wide margin winner of a soft ground Leicester maiden on his third start. That was his first start at 7 furlongs and so still can still rate unexposed. Interesting that his shrewd trainer is willing to sacrifice a mark of 85 to come here, but still looks to have it all to do

Day of Conquest- Two time winner who potentially ran into a good one when second to Scotland over 9 furlongs at Epsom last time. Readily beat 99 rated Safety Check the time before on the all weather and can be given a squeak in this

Extra Noble- Sir Percy Colt who has won twice and finished second from his 4 runs to date. Showed a smart turn of foot when taking a Kempton nursery off of 85 last time and deserves this step up in class. Still going to need a career best by some margin to become a group winner here

Galiway- Well bred Galileo Colt from the Andre Fabre stable. Only got up by a short neck on debut at Saint Cloud but was well in command under a cheeky ride. Master trainer always to be feared on his UK raids, and his first two year old runner here in years, Miss France was an impressive winner at Newmarket last month. Olivier Peslier comes over for the ride and everything points to a massive run. Surely must rate the one to beat

Invincible Strike- Expensive Colt from the James Tate stable who is arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten, having hung his chance away last time. Looked a useful sort on debut when comfortably beating the 85 rated Quickaswecan and could run well here at a price

Kickboxer- Suitably busy Mick Channon inmate who is making his 11th start of the campaign. His 3rd in the Cornwallis is easily his best piece of form and he comes here having been well beaten in a nursery off 79 last time. Really has no chance

Lyn Valley- Looked to be an improving sort before coming unstuck when stone cold last in the £100,000 sales race at Newmarket. Has to bounce back from that performance and his trainer continues to be in desperate form. On all known factors, looks up against it

Morning Post- Kevin Ryan Colt who arrives here having won nearly £200,000 after taking the Doncaster sales race and coming third in the valuable Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar on his last start. The former was his only run over todays distance but that looks a rare positive for his chances. Lacks the class to contend in this field

Piping Rock- Unbeaten Dubawi Colt who is two for two having taken a valuable newcomers maiden at Ascot on good ground before sploshing through the mud when taking a novices event at Salisbury by 4 lengths last time. Hard to weigh up both pieces of form but there is every chance he is a useful sort. Looks the pick of the Hannon trio and possibly the main threat to the French challenger

Trading Rock- Wide margin winner of a match at Leicester on his last start. Had ran with credit in stakes races the two times before that which has earned him a three figure rating. Possibly flattered by that mark and probably not good enough to be considered for win or place purposes

Verdict- Useful looking field but a prize that is likely for export over the channel. The well bred Galiway is the Colt in question and although he has only won an unraced maiden he still looks the horse to beat. The home challenge has a few useful sorts with the unbeaten Piping Rock probably rating the best. Day of Conquest and Invincible Strike also warrant a mention

1st Galiway
2nd Piping Rock
3rd Day of Conquest