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Having gone close in two top-class Group 1s this summer, it is hard to look beyond King Of Comedy in the Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket.
John Gosden’s colt has taken a giant step forward with each outing this season, culminating with a great effort to be fourth against some of the best horses in the world in the Juddmonte International at York.
He faces nothing of the class of Japan and Crystal Ocean in this Group 2 and it should not be inconvenienced by the drop back down to a mile – in fact it should suit him.
Gosden stepped him up in trip after he rattled home late in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, splitting Circus Maximus and Too Darn Hot.
That form now looks exceptional in the context of this race, with Circus Maximus winning the Moulin in France and now-retired stablemate Too Darn Hot claiming the Sussex Stakes before heading into retirement.
Straight after his York effort, where he ran too keen and looked a blatant non-stayer, Gosden mentioned the QEII on Champions Day but, a bit like Stradivarius, he must be in such good heart his handler feels he will be better off having a run.
Gosden can also be on the mark with Promissory in the Princess Royal Muhaarar Stakes.
She will be having just her fourth career start in this Group 3, but she has shown plenty of ability winning one of those three outings.
However, it is her second at Goodwood last time out that reads best of all as the winner, Sir Ron Priestly, has since gone on to fill the same position in the St Leger.
She was beaten just a length and a quarter that day and a repeat of that form would likely be good enough.
Mark Johnston’s Festival Day looks worth chancing in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes.
Beaten on her debut at Goodwood by just a short head, she had clearly taken a big leap forwards by the time she got to Ffos Las for her next outing.
While what she beat is debatable, the way she powered clear in the final furlong for a six-length win was very impressive.
That will only have been 10 days ago come this race, but horses from this yard thrive on busy schedules.
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