Friday 14 May 2021 09:58, UK
It seems futile opposing Palace Pier in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, so he can be made banker material on a Newbury card packed with quality.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old has barely put a foot wrong in his career date, with the only blot coming when he found himself stuck in the mud at Ascot on Champions Day.
Prior to that he had won the St James's Palace Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois, having remarkably started off his three-year-old season in a handicap at Newcastle after connections opted to miss the 2000 Guineas - what a price he was that day at odds against.
If there were any question marks after Ascot he found all the right answers on his reappearance at Sandown last month, blitzing his rivals by eight lengths and more, looking in tremendous order.
A fascinating clash awaits in the Al Rayyan Stakes, where 2019 St Leger winner Logician represents the Gosdens against Al Aasy.
Life has been anything but straightforward for Logician since Doncaster - and while he could still be a horse of untapped potential, the William Haggas-trained Al Aasy has to be the pick.
Held in the very highest regard by Haggas, he really looked the part in the John Porter over this course and distance last month.
His trainer was minded to go straight to the Coronation Cup with him after that, but such is his well-being he has opted to take this in en route to Epsom.
Sea Empress is a potentially exciting one for Haggas in the Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes.
She has just had the one race, at Newcastle in October, running out a smooth winner from Teona - who absolutely bolted up at the same track the following month and ran with credit in the Musidora at York this week after pulling way too hard for her own good.
The BetVictor Carnarvon Stakes is the next stop for Tactical, who gave the Queen a winner at Royal Ascot last year in the Windsor Castle.
Andrew Balding's charge followed up in the July Stakes at Newmarket, but could not get in a serious blow in the Prix Morny after that - while two other Group One tries proved unsuccessful.
He looked good on his comeback in the Free Handicap, though, picking up the front-running Naval Crown on the line after not having the smoothest of passages two furlongs out.
That form got a nice boost when runner-up Naval Crown ran an excellent race to be fourth in the Guineas.
At Newmarket, John Leeper has to be supported in the Betway Fairway Stakes.
Bred in the purple by Frankel out of Snow Fairy, he caught the eye on his sole juvenile start at Doncaster - and he confirmed that impression on his return at Newcastle, strolling clear when asked for an effort by Hollie Doyle.
Named after trainer Ed Dunlop's late, great father, John Leeper's price for the Derby has tumbled since that victory and will shorten again if he runs as expected.
Devilwala can benefit from a drop in class to return to winning ways in the Betway King Charles II Stakes.
The Ralph Beckett-trained colt has been highly-tried in his last six races after making a successful debut last summer.
Probably his best performance to date came in the Dewhurst Stakes in October when he was fourth to Sir Mark's Basilica after making most of the running at odds of 100-1.
He will be nowhere near as big as that, but he is certainly worth a bet dropped down to Listed company.
SELECTIONS
BANGOR: 1.10 Chuvelo, 1.40 Furius de Ciergues, 2.15 The Some Dance Kid, 2.50 Corri Lindo, 3.25 Juge Et Parti, 4.00 Global Agreement, 4.35 Balranald, 5.05 Malaita.
DONCASTER: 5.35 Impeller, 6.05 Koda Legend, 6.35 Hello Zabeel, 7.05 Invite, 7.35 Beau Jardine, 8.05 Roundhay Park, 8.35 Dance King.
NAVAN: 1.55 Don Julio, 2.30 Notoriously Risky, 3.05 Mrs Bouquet, 3.40 Misterio, 4.15 Wordsworth, 4.50 Oh So Chic, 5.25 Aunty Audrey, 5.55 Safari Quest.
NEWBURY: 1.15 Dairerin, 1.50 Tactical, 2.25 Al Aasy, 3.00 Dubawi Sands, 3.35 Palace Pier, 4.10 Sea Empress, 4.45 Path Of Thunder.
NEWMARKET: 1.30 Cachet, 2.05 John Leeper, 2.40 Devilwala, 3.15 Just Frank, 3.50 Ametist, 4.25 Mellow Magic, 5.00 Saaheq.
THIRSK: 12.30 Riviere, 1.00 Cardiff, 1.35 Lezardieux, 2.10 Ventura Rascal, 2.45 Another Batt, 3.20 Forever William, 3.55 Commanche Falls, 4.30 Leo Davinci.
UTTOXETER: 5.15 Cascova, 5.45 Daranova, 6.20 Skandiburg, 6.50 Dolly Dancer, 7.20 Hidden Depths, 7.50 Be Thankful, 8.20 Olympic Honour.
DOUBLE: Palace Pier and John Leeper.
