Racecards
16:15 Salisbury
Totesport Sovereign Stakes (Class A) (Group 3) (colts and geldings) (Class A)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 315030
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
held up, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong but not reached leaders
- Form 2160-10
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 501121
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer P Harris
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
chased leader, ridden and challenged 2f out, not quicken final furlong
- Form 441-221
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey L Dettori
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
- Form 40-1100
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer G Wragg
- Jockey S J Drowne
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
- Form 0-43044
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey J F Egan
held up towards rear, switched right and ridden to challenge 3f out, headway and joined leader over 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, led final stride
- Form 601401
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey L P Keniry
held up, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 4-10403
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey J Fortune
always towards rear, no impression
- Form 05-1006
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer R Johnson Houghton
- Jockey S Carson
held up rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
- Form 111104
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer P W Chapple-Hyam
- Jockey J Quinn
in touch and hung left early, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 41111-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey D Holland
prominent, ridden and challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, headed last stride
In depth
Verdict
The Totesport Sovereign Stakes, now elevated to Group 3 status, can go to Lucky Story over Ancient World, Norse Dancer and Hurricane Alan to name but three. This is a quality race, but as Lucky Story escapes a penalty for his Group 2 victories, Mark Johnston's three-year-old is taken to return where he left off by reeling off a fifth straight win. Winner of both the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood and the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last season, the son of Dr Fong suffered a setback when being prepared for his return in the spring and was given plenty of time to recover. Reported to be working as well as ever at Middleham, Lucky Story has conditions in his favour and can gain another Group success. Godolphin relies on Ancient World who beat a big field in the William Hill Mile at Goodwood, and as he has settled down since being gelded, the four-year-old can prove that he deserves a crack at this level. Norse Dancer has consistently taken on Group 1 company during his career so will appreciate this slightly easier company, but the fact remains that he is hard to win with and he is worth opposing, while last year's winner Passing Glance has to shoulder a five-pound penalty. With the likes of Hurricane Alan and Shot To Fame in the line-up as well, it has the makings of a cracking contest that can go to one of last year's leading juveniles Lucky Story.