Best Solution looks a cut-above his rivals and a worthy 2/1 favourite with Unibet to make a winning return to action in the 1m 4f Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton on Saturday (14:05).
This Saeed bin Surroor trained five-year-old, who carries the famous all blue colours of leading owners Godolphin, took his form to a new level last year when winning four of his eight starts.
In the second of those at Newmarket, the son of Kodiac ran on gamely to account for Mirage Dancer by half-a-length in a Group 2. Best Solution then landed a Group 1 at Baden-Baden in Germany when beating Defoe by a neck.
That form looks strong as the runner-up has this year landed the similar grade Coronation Stakes at Epsom before following-up in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Best Solution then showed tenacious battling qualities to complete the hat-trick in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup in Australia.
He was also far from disgraced in the Melbourne Cup when slowly away and an 8 3/4 lengths eighth of 24 to Cross Counter.
The form of those races set a clear standard in this lower grade affair, while an official rating of 121 gives Best Solution 10lb and upwards in hand on his 11 rivals.
He also has a 50 per cent strike rate over the trip and is once again partnered by Pat Cosgrave, who has won five of his 10 starts on him.
So, taking everything into account, Best Solution looks impossible to oppose and is fully expected to defy a 305-day absence and land the September Stakes spoils en route to better things.
Lots to like about Kasbaan in London Mile
In the London Mile Handicap (15:15), Kasbaan looks well-treated turned out quickly under a 5lb penalty and the one to be on at 5/1 with BetVictor.
This four-year-old came good at the third time of asking when in the care of Owen Burrows and showing a smart urn of foot to easily beat Welsh Lord by 3 1/4 lengths at Lingfield.
The runner-up is a fair sort who is now rated 92 on the all-weather and the third home Hareeq, who was beaten a further 4 1/2 lengths, has won since to be rated 85.
That gives the form a solid look. Kasbaan duly took advantage of what looked a lenient rating of 84 to score over course and distance four days ago on his first start for Mick Appleby.
After travelling well on the heels of the leaders on the inside, Kasbaan cruised into contention two from home under Alistair Rawlinson.
He then only had to be ridden out to assert close home to be well on top at the finish and beat Al Jellaby by half-a-length.
Kasbaan won a shade cosily and was value for more than the winning margin. It looks a shrewd move by connections to run in this under a penalty before the assessor has his say.
Appleby also has a tremendous record with new recruits to his yard and appears to have targeted this valuable prize with Kasbaan.
Although a wide draw in 10 is not ideal, he has the tactical speed to drop in and be produced late – judged on his latest effort – and looks potentially very well handicapped.
Streamline has a super chance in Sirenia Stakes
Later on September Stakes day, Streamline has a progressive profile and looks worth siding with in the other Group 3 on a cracking card – the 6f Sirenia Stakes for juvenile colts and fillies (16:25).
This son of Due Diligence, who hails from the in-form yard of Clive Cox, showed a nice turn of foot when scoring by half-a-length on debut over 5f at Bath back in July.
He then followed up in impressive fashion at this venue, again over the minimum trip, when forging clear to readily beat Force Of Impact by 3 3/4 lengths.
That taking success earned him a crack at Listed level last time out at York, and Streamline ran a stormer to finish third of 11 to Alligator Alley in the 5f Roses Stakes.
He ran on strongly to be nearest at the finish and beaten just a length, so the extra furlong in this looks sure to suit.
The form also looks solid in relation to this as Alligator Alley is an improving sort who had previously run well to finish runner-up to Liberty Beach in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.
So, with further improvement looking assured, Steamline makes plenty of appeal at 3/1 with Bethard in what doesn’t look the strongest of renewals of the Sirenia Stakes.
The Brian Meehan trained Aroha, 6/1 with Betfair, is feared most now dropped in grade after finding things too hot last time out when sixth of eight to Eathlight in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville.
Prior to that, she had run very well to finish a half-length runner-up to Under The Stars in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, and a repeat of that effort is sure to see her go close.
