Molecomb Stakes Group Three

                                               Molecomb Stakes Group Three

Beacon- Highclere owned colt who arrives here bidding for a four timer. Was very impressive when slamming todays rival Mukhmal by four lengths in a listed event last time and team Hannon have been responsible for three of the past five winners of this race. Looks the one to beat, but is priced up accordingly

Burning The Clocks- Three race maiden who is rated 79. Needs to improve a couple of stone if he is to take this

Cotai Glory- Finished last at 50/1 in a moderate Nottingham maiden on debut but now finds himself rated 104 after four starts. Got within 1.25 lengths of the mighty Limato last time and although that likely flattered him, it was still a highly commendable display. The main threat to Beacon on ratings and appears the value play at the current odds

Dougal- Son of Zebedee, winner of this race in these colours in 2010, who has won two of his four starts to date. However he was outclassed in the July Stakes last time and even with the assistance of Ryan Moore he looks to have it all to do in this company

Fast Act- Earned some decent prize money in the Super Sprint when third to runaway winner Tiggy Wiggy. Although only officially rated 88, this race lacks depth and he may well be good enough to reach the podium

Mukhmal- Impressive winner on debut at Mussleburgh, before defying the widest draw in the Lily Agnes on his second start. That marked him down as a colt to follow, but the wheels have fallen off somewhat on his two most recent starts. Four lengths behind Beacon last time and no reason why that form will be reversed here

Union Rose- Second in the Windsor Castle at Ascot on her penultimate start but firmly put in her place by Beacon last time. Unlikely to be good enough

Spirit Of Xian- Expensive daughter of Kodiac, who won on debut and ran with credit on her next two starts. Could only manage sixth in a French Group Three last time and looks up against it

Verdict- This looks a weak renewal and in Beacon has a short priced favourite. He is well worth his place at the head of the market, having rattled off a hat trick and readily dismissed todays rival Mukhmal in a listed contest last time. However he has been well found in the market and makes minimal appeal at odds on. Cotai glory is also rapidly improving and ran into a very useful tool last time over six furlongs. He rates the value play to upstage the short priced favourite. Of the rest in a field lacking depth Fast Act could replicate his finishing position from the Super Sprint

Verdict
1 Cotai Glory
2 Beacon
3 Fast Act