Now dropped in class, Well Done Fox looks the one to be on >at 9/2 with BetVictor to land the spoils in the Listed 6f Scurry Stakes that gets proceedings underway on a competitive Saturday card at Sandown (14:05).
This Richard Hannonm trained three-year-old son of Acclamation was a useful juvenile and is 1-1 over course and distance.
That win came in the similar grade Dragon Stakes where, after showing plenty of pace to chase the leaders on the inside rail, Well Done Fox quickly took up the running a furlong from home when switched left to get daylight and only had to be ridden out to readily beat Life Of Reilly by three-quarters of a length.
Well Done Fox backed that up with a fine 2 1/4 lengths second to Soldier’s Call in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster, and was then far from disgraced when beaten just 1 1/4 lengths into third behind Sergei Prokofiev in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket.
The form of those races set a clear standard in this and Well Done Fox is officially the highest rated in the nine-runner line-up off 106. It puts him 2lb and upward clear of his rivals.
Another plus is that he has a 50 per cent strike rate in the grade after winning two of his four starts in it.
Well Done Fox will also find this easier than the Group 3 Pavilion Stakes he contested on seasonal reappearance when a keeping on 5 1/4 lengths last of seven to Calyx.
He shaped as if needing the run, so should now be spot on to do himself justice on soft ground which holds no fears.
Kurious the each-way value
A case can be made for plenty in what is a wide-open and arguably weak renewal but, at the 9/1 on offer with William Hill, the Henry Candy trained Kurious looks a cracking each-way bet given her solid course form.
This daughter of Kuroshio scored in good style on debut over course and distance ,and went on to run a fine race when a 2 1/4 lengths ninth of 22 to Signora Cabello in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Kurious went on to round off the campaign with a solid fourth to Angelic Light in a Listed contest at Newmarket, then was an unlucky loser on seasonal reappearance over course and distance when runner-up to Leodis Dream in a competitive class 2 handicap.
She was denied a clear run at a vital stage in the latter and, after being switched to challenge between horses, finished off strongly to go down by a diminishing head.
Kurious now meets the winner on 7lb better terms, so that should be more than enough to see him gain revenge on David O’Meara’s charge, yet he can be backed at twice the odds of that rival.
That simply doesn’t make sense, especially as this venue clearly brings out the best in her.
Sawwaah worth siding with
Sawwaah shaped with plenty of promise on seasonal reappearance and looks the one to be on at the 6/1 available with Paddy Power in the 1m Randox Health Handicap (15:15).
This Owen Burrows trained four-year-old colt is a lightly-raced and progressive sort who has won twp of his six starts.
He showed that he handled cut in the ground on his final start last season when running on strongly to finish a head third to Little Joe at Newmarket, and there was lots to like about his return to action at that venue in April when third behind Beringer.
Sawwaah raced up with the pace throughout and looked the likely winner when taking up the running two from home. He then tired in the last 150 yards to be beaten just over a length.
The way he travelled powerfully for much of that contest suggested the son of New Approach should be capable of winning a race of this nature off his current mark of 93.
It’s also interesting that cheekpieces now go one for the first time, and another plus is the yard is now in better form than it was then.
Sawwaah is also entitled to strip much fitter for that spin, so taking everything into account looks decent value to get back on the scoresheet.
Greenside a big player and feared
Greenside runs the venue well and comes into the race in form, so looks is feared most.
This Henry Candy trained eight-year-old was an unlucky loser in the Whitsun Cup here two years ago when getting badly hampered at the start, before flying home late to go down by a length to Laidback Romeo.
He then gained revenge on that rival next time up over course and distance when running on strongly to score by 1 1/4 lengths off a mark of 94.
Greenside also ran well at Kempton last term when fourth to subsequent Lincoln Handicap winner Auxerre off the same rating.
He looked as good as ever two starts back when coming from off the pace, before showing a smart turn of foot to shoot clear in the last 150 yards and win going away by 1 3/4 lengths at Windsor.
Greenside backed that up with a fast finishing third at Epsom where he seemed unsuited by the undulations of the Surrey venue, and the return to a more conventional galloping track is sure to suit.
Although he has been nudged up a further pound for that to 96, Greenside has been rated as high as 99 in the past, so remains on a feasible mark.
A bold bid looks assured and he can be backed at a best-price 13/2 with Ladbrokes.
Pesto weighted to strike on handicap debut
In the 7f Randox Handicap (15:50), Pesto looks worth a punt at 7/1 with Betfair to cash-in on what looks a lenient mark and make a winning return to action.
This Richard Hannon trained colt only had three starts a s juvenile and showed improved form in each.
After finishing a not knocked about eighth of 12 to the very smart Advertise in a hot maiden at Newbury on debut, Pesto ran very well over course and distance when a keeping on 2 1/4 length fourth of nine to Beatboxer.
That one is now rated 102 having landed the valuable Silver Bowl at Haydock last time out.
Peso went on to open his account in fine style at Leicester when forging clear and easily beating Massam by flour lengths at Leicester.
Mssam has won twice since and finished runner-up off a rating of 95, so that gives the form a solid look and suggests an opening handicap mark of 87 for Pesto could seriously underestimate his ability.
He also remains unexposed and open to stack of progress now going down the handicap route.
Another plus is Pesto has the services of the in-from Tom Marquand in the saddle, who is operating at a strike rate of just under 24 per cent in the last 14 days at the time of writing.
The only slight question mark is that this will be the first time that Pesto has raced on soft ground.
Other than that, there is nothing not to like about his profile for this and – even if the ground is not ideal – Pesto could be well-treated enough to get away with it.
