Going: Soft
Field: 14 runners
Weight: 3yo 9st; 4yo+ 9st 6lb (+ penalties for G1–G3 winners)
Pace Forecast: Timeform predict a Very Strong Pace – likely contested early. Hold-up or mid-div runners could be favoured if they settle.

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Race Shape & Draw Angles

• Likely leaders: Blue Bolt, Cajole, Hey Boo all race prominently; Skellet can press pace.
• Risk: Up-front types may compromise each other given “very strong” forecast.
• Beneficiaries: Classy hold-up/midfield runners like Spiritual, Flight, Cathedral, and American Gal should be ideally positioned.
• Draw: Sandown mile isn’t strongly draw-biased, but with pace likely spread across, no stall looks an obvious negative.

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Strongest Contenders

Blue Bolt (3yo, Balding/Keane) – 117p TF, OR 102

• Progressive sequence (Listed C&D win latest). Still unexposed.
• Queries: never raced on softer than good, drawn into strong pace battle.
• Proven – but soft ground unknown.

Spiritual (4yo, Gosdens/Havlin) – 118 TF, OR 112

• Group 3 winner at Epsom; won here on soft last year.
• Excusable Deauville run (Group 1). 3lb penalty but proven class.
• Proven – strong soft-ground angle, best of older mares.

American Gal (3yo, Walker/Shoemark) – 114 TF, OR 103

• Strong Listed win (good to soft), then close 2nd in Royal Ascot G3 over 1m.
• Progressive, handles cut, tactical versatility.
• Progressive – looks very solid with conditions to suit.

Cathedral (3yo, Philippart de Foy/Egan) – 116 TF, OR 107

• Royal Ascot Coronation 4th (G1); Group 3 placed in France (soft).
• Yard switch but trainer in form.
• Progressive – consistent at Group level, handles soft.

Flight (3yo, Sangster/Murphy) – 114 TF, OR 109

• Outstanding 1,000 Guineas 2nd; below that since.
• Freshened up 10 weeks, drop in class a big plus.
• Promising – class filly if bouncing back.

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Main Dangers & Outsiders of Note

• Cajole – Close 2nd to Blue Bolt; over-raced at Ascot, worth another chance.
• Bright Thunder – Solid G3 performer, best form on soft. Lacks gears but very reliable.
• Hey Boo – Unexposed, return from 4-month break with new aids. Could surprise if improved for trip.
• Lady Of Spain – 4/4 on AW; turf debut after long layoff, hard to assess but unexposed.
• Skellet – C&D Listed winner but disappointed on return. Needs revival.

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Runner Scores (Suitability out of 10)

• Spiritual – 8.5/10 (proven class, ground no issue, penalty manageable)
• Blue Bolt – 8/10 (progressive, unknown on soft, pace clash risk)
• American Gal – 8/10 (handles soft, Ascot form strong, right setup)
• Cathedral – 8/10 (consistent Group performer, trainer switch positive)
• Flight – 7.5/10 (classy at best, bounce factor after poor runs)
• Cajole – 7/10 (progressive, could bounce back, slight stamina/style question in strong-run race)
• Bright Thunder – 7/10 (tough, handles soft, more likely place than win)
• Hey Boo – 6.5/10 (unexposed, but needs big step forward)
• Lady Of Spain – 6/10 (AW star, unknown turf ability, long absence)
• Skellet – 6/10 (past form strong, current form poor)
• Betty Clover – 5.5/10 (likeable but may be just below this grade)
• Fair Point – 5/10 (hard to see win angle in this grade)
• Molten Rock – 4.5/10 (tries hard, but not up to this class)
• Alobayyah – 4/10 (wildcard, straight into G3 after 1 run – too risky)

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Private Tissue (provisional odds)

• Spiritual 4/1
• American Gal 5/1
• Blue Bolt 11/2
• Cathedral 6/1
• Flight 7/1
• Cajole 10/1
• Bright Thunder 12/1
• Hey Boo 16/1
• Lady Of Spain 18/1
• Skellet 20/1
• Betty Clover 25/1
• Fair Point 33/1
• Molten Rock 40/1
• Alobayyah 40/1

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Summary & Smart Play

A deep renewal with proven Group performers clashing with upwardly mobile 3yos. The very strong pace forecast could compromise front-runners (Blue Bolt, Cajole, Hey Boo), swinging things towards closers with class and proven stamina in soft conditions.

Smart Play:

• Win bet: Spiritual – class mare, proven on soft, can sit off the strong pace.
• Each-way saver: American Gal – strong Ascot Group 3 form, versatile, progressive profile.
• Danger: Cathedral – consistent Group filly, trainer switch interesting.