10.19 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (Grade 1)

BRITISH stables have had a good run of success in the top US graded races on turf through the summer and they have three representatives in tonight’s Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes where James Doyle and Kieran Shoemark join Flavien Prat on board the raiders in the mile, a furlong and a half contest on the Tapeta.

Charlie Appleby won the race last season with Rebel’s Romance and runs the five-year-old gelding El Cordobes.

The son of Frankel finished third in this last year and put up a better effort when third again in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf.

He hasn’t run since Doha in February when third in the Group 2 Amir Trophy.

Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras put up a good effort winning the Group 3 September Stakes on the 5th of the month beating Gethin, Warrant Holder and Constitution Hill horse and had previously chased home subsequent Juddmonte International winner Item over 10 furlongs at York

Ed Walker’s Fort George has performed creditably on his two US runs this summer. Two narrow losses in third in the Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes and a third in Saratoga’s Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes.

Far Bridge and Program Trading are both Grade 1-winning six-year-olds, Far Bridge winning this two years ago. But neither have run to their very best form this season.

Minaret Station was second to Survie in the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf Stakes last time, Program Trading third.

Chad Brown’s Asbury Park is another son of Frankel and won last year’s Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct but has been below that form on two runs this season.

SELECTION: PRIDE OF ARRAS

Next best: El Cordobes

In the Grade 2 Flower Bowl Stakes (10.45pm), Sunlit Uplands and James Doyle represent Stuart Williams with Jamie Spencer on Esna for Brian Meehan. It’s a good quality field with Kathynmarissa winning the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga last time and Gezora, now with Bill Mott, winning last year’s Breeders’; Cup Filly and Mare Turf for Francis Graffard though she has yet to match that form in two outings this year.

Brad Cox’s Fionn had high class graded form last season but yet to come close to it in two runs this season.

Brian Meehan’s three-year-old Esna has been second twice on her latest starts at Group 3 level, the last to an Appleby runner at Deauville. She could outrun her odds.

Stuart Williams’ Starman filly Sunlit Uplands was beaten a neck in a Saratoga Grade 2 last time, following a German Group 3 success.

SELECTION: KATHYNMARISSA

Next best: Esna

At Santa Anita, the nine-furlong Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes (12.30pm) is the headline race and Bob Baffert supplies the favourite Nevada Beach but he has been off the track since the Saudi Cup last February.

Saffie Joseph is having a good Grade 1 winning season, supplies the dangers in Forged Steel and Caldera.

Forged Steel took the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes earlier in the season but was well behind Knightsbridge last time while Caldera is on a four-timer but a lesser level.