HAGGAS CHARGE TO LEAD THE LIGHT ON THE KNAVESMIRE

14:40 York

Declaring Love has some quite solid form over 5 furlongs, notably behind Liberty Beach last time out. She’s got the class to win this and the age bracket of 3 and 4 year olds fits the proverbial pattern. She seems to have found a new lease of life since joining her new barn and Shane Kelly is in outstanding form. However, there are some concerns. She has to give her 3 year old rivals 6 lbs and I’m not sure that the step up in trip might suit her, especially giving out weight.

Vadream is the favourite for this race off the back of a fine 3rd place finish in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The ground could be a bit questionable for her and the step back in trip could be concerning, as she has ran all her races, this year, over 7 furlongs and she could get out-speeded over this fast 6 furlongs. The market seems to suggest she is not exactly a strong favourite, which backs up my concerns.

Light Refrain was unlucky at Royal Ascot when she didn’t particularly get the run of the race but if you go back to her previous race, she has stellar form, being beaten a length by impressive Ascot winner Rohaan and unlucky Ascot loser, Dragon Symbol. Additionally, she is the only one of this field to have raced at the Knavesmire previously when finishing second. Moreover, Tom Marquand is in stellar form lately and as is William Haggas. She might just prefer the step back in distance and I don’t see the ground being a problem and I quite fancy her to bounce back from her below par Ascot performance.

LIGHT REFRAIN (WIN)

written by Kieran McHugh