£70,000 | For 3yo+ | Pace likely honest but not over-strong with Great David and possibly Devil’s Advocate forcing it. Draw at Windsor over 1m2f not a huge factor, but low-to-middle is often an advantage if it turns tactical.

---

Strongest Contenders

Military Order (Charlie Appleby, Draw 5) – Proven

• Reliable standard-setter at this level; Group 3 AW winner and close second in this grade on turf latest (Haydock).
• Stays further (Derby trial winner) but effective at 10f.
• Profile suggests more solid than spectacular – he runs to 120+ RPRs consistently.
• Main concern: has looked just below the very top on turf and is vulnerable to an improver.

Royal Playwright (Andrew Balding, Draw 1) – Progressive 3yo

• Best piece of form when runner-up in the Royal Lodge (2yo, soft).
• This year: fair in Group company, including a solid 4th in the Diomed at Epsom; not yet confirmed as a winner at this level but shaping as though 10f suits.
• Lope De Vega x Arabian Queen breeding screams middle-distance progression.
• Receives weight from elders – strong WFA angle here.

---

Main Dangers

Devil’s Advocate (Gosdens, Draw 4) – Promising 3yo

• Strong run in the Dante (cheekpieces, front-running 4th).
• Flopped badly when stepped to 1m4f at Ascot, eased late – stamina stretched.
• Drop back to 1m2f looks right; still learning but has raw ability.
• Needs to settle better to land a blow at this level.

Great David (James Tate, Draw 2) – Upwardly Mobile

• From handicaps into Listed/Group races this year – 5th in Hampton Court, 3rd at Chester Listed, ran creditably at Ascot G3.
• Keeps finding but may lack finishing kick against proven Group 3 animals.
• Tactically versatile – could be the pace angle.

---

Interesting Outsider

Silawi (Hamad Al Jehani, Draw 3)

• Campaigned in handicaps but has old Group form in France (2nd in 12f G3).
• Gelded and looked revitalised when winning at Windsor in May.
• 5th of 18 in a strong Goodwood handicap last month – mark 99 suggests needs more, but not without a place squeak if this is tactical.

---

Runner Scores

• Military Order – 8/10 Solid yardstick, stays well, runs to level.
• Royal Playwright – 7.5/10 Getting weight, scope for more, needs to prove winning edge.
• Devil’s Advocate – 7/10 Untapped potential, but risky temperament.
• Great David – 6.5/10 Honest and improving, but maybe just shy of Group 3 class.
• Silawi – 5.5/10 Strong handicapper, outside chance of a place.

---

Private Tissue (my view of true odds)

• Military Order – 2/1
• Royal Playwright – 3/1
• Devil’s Advocate – 9/2
• Great David – 6/1
• Silawi – 12/1

---

Summary

Military Order is the proven standard but has looked beatable at this level on turf. The younger legs of Royal Playwright (WFA allowance) and Devil’s Advocate look the likeliest dangers, with Great David setting an honest pace. Silawi may run on into a place if things fall apart late.

Smart Play:

• Win bet: Royal Playwright – scopey 3yo with weight pull, could be his day.
• Saver: Military Order – the benchmark, rarely runs below par.