Friday 2 May 2025 | 7f | Class 1 | 3yo only | Turf | Going: Good | 10 runners

A competitive renewal of this Listed 7f contest for three-year-olds, traditionally a stepping stone for milers on the up. Recent winners include Noble Truth and Shouldvebeenaring, both of whom kicked on to strong campaigns, and the presence of several unexposed types suggests we could see a similar profile emerge here.

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Leading Contenders

COSMIC YEAR (Harry Charlton | Ryan Moore) – Timeform Rating: 116p
An unbeaten colt who has turned heads with two deeply impressive wins, most recently running away from a 13-runner Kempton field by five lengths. A full brother to Tempus and bred in the purple (Kingman × Passage of Time), he looks tailor-made for a race of this nature and is open to serious improvement. The expected strong pace should suit his push-button acceleration. Charlton’s yard is flying and Moore boasts a 38% strike rate on favourites. Clear form pick.

SYMBOL OF HONOUR (Charlie Appleby | William Buick) – Timeform Rating: 117
A dual winner at Meydan over the winter, including a convincing success in February. Appleby has a 29% strike rate at this track and has won this race previously with Noble Truth in 2022. This strong, attractive gelding has proven form at the trip and surface, and Buick’s record here reinforces confidence. He’s had 84 days off, so market support would be an encouraging sign he’s primed.

PELLITORY (James Owen | Harry Davies) – Timeform Rating: 111+
Improving sharply, including a Craven meeting win last time over course and distance. He tends to be held up, which isn’t ideal given the track’s bias to front-end speed at this trip, but the strong predicted pace could bring him into it late. He’s one of the few here with recent form on the course and shouldn’t be underestimated.

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Main Dangers

CHANCELLOR (John & Thady Gosden | Robert Havlin) – Timeform Rating: 108
Well-bred colt from a yard that knows how to ready one for this race. He looked smart as a juvenile and returned with a respectable sixth in the Greenham Stakes, likely needing the outing. With only 20 days since that run, improvement is plausible, though he’s another to monitor in the market to gauge whether he’s expected to be fully wound up.

DIEGO VENTURA (Hamad Al Jehani | Billy Loughnane) – Timeform Rating: 114p
A Listed-placed juvenile, lightly raced and talented, but off for 188 days. He showed a tough attitude last season and has enough tactical speed to get a good position from stall 10. A bold showing wouldn’t surprise, but again, market clues will be key.

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Interesting Outsiders

MARVELMAN (Andrew Balding | Oisin Murphy) – Timeform Rating: 108
Won well at Kempton last month on reappearance and could be another who appreciates the strong pace. His pedigree suggests he’ll stay further, but the step up in grade asks a new question. Balding has had success with late-developing 3yo types at this time of year.

PORT LIGHT (Archie Watson | Hollie Doyle) – Timeform Rating: 110
Rated higher than some of those ahead of him in the market but may not be ideally placed in a contest where stamina and late finishing kick are likely to play a part. Could hit the frame if others underperform, and Watson has had a Listed 3yo winner over 7f at Newmarket previously.

LA BOTTE (Harry Eustace | Jamie Spencer) – Timeform Rating: 98p
Got off the mark in style at Newcastle but was workmanlike rather than explosive. Spencer’s likely to drop him out, and while he’s open to improvement, this is a big leap in class. Would only appeal at large odds if the pace collapses completely.

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Other Notes and Trends

• Past winners of this race include several future Group 1 or Group 2 performers. Trainers to note include Charlie Appleby and John Gosden, both of whom have sent high-class sorts to win this in recent seasons.
• Draw bias at 7f on the Rowley Mile favours those drawn low and racing prominently.
• Strong pace forecast could benefit those with proven stamina or finishing speed, though front-end runners often go well on this track.

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📌 Summary

COSMIC YEAR stands out on both form and potential, and it will take a smart performance to lower his colours. SYMBOL OF HONOUR and PELLITORY shape as the main threats, particularly if the latter can get a tow into the race off a strong gallop. CHANCELLOR and DIEGO VENTURA are capable types, but both come off breaks and may need the run, so their market strength on the day will be informative.

This shapes as a revealing Listed contest that could throw up a future Group performer.