14.30 Ascot: Summer Mile - An intriguing contest with 12 starters. Ground conditions at Ascot are rather quick, so we probably can expect a fast race, thanks to some proven front-runners in the line-up. This race becomes interesting as it is the clash of strong, proven group performers, some up and coming talents and older horses that try to land the biggest victory of their career. Let's take a closer look!
Tullius: won Group 2 in softish conditions earlier this season. Strong run in Queen Anne when staying on well, as he did in the Lockinge. proven Group performance and class act. Generally best with cut in the ground. Recent form gives him excellent chance in this.
Baltic Knight: Improving sort last year, won listed race over 1m on quick ground. Narrowly denied lto, career best required here in order to feature.
Empire Storm: Last success is a while ago, 3rd in Listed race lto, shouldn't be good enough to feature.
Graphic: Strong form this year, won twice over 1m and runner-up twice, likes to be prominent, best form comes with cut in the ground though. Recent Group 3 success gives him chance here.
Guest Of Honour: Won Listed over 1m recently, still not too many miles on the clock for five year old, goes well on quicker ground, fine 3rd in Group 2 at Ascot last year. Can improve for third start this season.
Highland Knight: Consistent pattern performer. Group 3 winner, likes to be prominent and gets further. No problem with ground, won Listed over trip and ground. Probably not quite up to level required in this race but can't be discounted.
Long John: Formerly trained in Australia, there Group 1 Guineas winner, won then UAE Guineas at Meydan this winter, but found 10f too far in UAE Derby. Should relish quick ground and must rate big runner in this field if he is fit.
Mull Of Killough: Consistent and versatile, won Group 3 earlier this year, fine on quick ground but never won over CD in five starts and might lack speed on this quick surface on this level these days.
Producer: Fair comeback run in Queen Anne last month, won Group 2 in Turkey on last start in 2013, goes well on quick ground and gets 1m. Better over 7f and strongly run race might exploit stamina issues here. Very consistent normally though and should be in the shake up.
The Rectifier: Good handicapper these days who likes to go from the front. Excellent form this year and will relish quick ground. Has to be at his absolute best and maybe even better to have a chance here though.
Trumpet Major: Nowhere near as good as he was as a promising three year old. Lost his form in summer last year and while he seemed to find back to some sort of form at Newmarket in May, he was disappointing subequently. Hard to see him featuring here.
Zambucca: Group 2 winner over 9f in native South Africa, was 3rd in Group company at Meydan earlier this year but disappointing in all subsequent start. Drop in trip might help but has loads to find in order to be competitive.
Verdict: Tullius is a worthy favourite after his impressive performance in the Queen Anne Stakes following up on his strong 2nd in the Lockinge Stakes. Before that he won the Group 2 Bet365 Mile at Sandown in fine style. That is really strong form and whoever beats him will probally win the Summer Mile. But one could argue that quick ground may count against him. Connections thought of stepping him up to 10f, so it might happen that there is at least one rival in this field too quick for him tomorrow. Producer could run a big race if the pace isn't too strong, as he could use his turn of foot to full effect then. However there are some horses in the race that like to go from the front, so a likely strong pace could make life tough for him.
Graphic and Guest Of Honour are fine horses in their own right and would deserve a big Group 2, but at current odds, the Australian import Long John is a very interesting contender and potentially the class act in the field. He won the Grade 1 Caulfield Guineas back home in his native country, and was ultra impressive on the Meydan Tapeta when he landed the UAE Guineas. He didn't follow up in the UAE Derby, but the trip was probably too far for him and the race not quick enough. Back over 1m, that might be his optimum trip and quick ground conditions will very much suit. He's back from a little break, so this is the obvious question mark - how much work has his trainer left? But if he is well and fit, then he must rate a huge chance in this race.
Graphic and Guest Of Honour are fine horses in their own right and would deserve a big Group 2, but at current odds, the Australian import Long John is a very interesting contender and potentially the class act in the field. He won the Grade 1 Caulfield Guineas back home in his native country, and was ultra impressive on the Meydan Tapeta when he landed the UAE Guineas. He didn't follow up in the UAE Derby, but the trip was probably too far for him and the race not quick enough. Back over 1m, that might be his optimum trip and quick ground conditions will very much suit. He's back from a little break, so this is the obvious question mark - how much work has his trainer left? But if he is well and fit, then he must rate a huge chance in this race.
Long John @ 11/2 Betfred – 3pts win
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