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15:10 Haydock
Lion Kingdom is a colt by the brilliantly talented but sorely missed Roaring Lion and an American Mare who has produced many graded stakes winners. He was a tad disappointing on his debut at Yarmouth but shaped as if he may well come on for the experience. Cieren Fallon takes the ride today, which is a positive given he’s in good form. All being said, this lion cub might need a bit longer before he can begin to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Castle Way is the strong favourite today and it’s not altogether surprising. He is impeccably well bred and represents the mighty and inform connections of Godolphin, Appleby, Buick. He’s by Almanzor, who is having a slow start to his stud career but his dam is Beach Frolic, which means he is a half brother to Palace Pier. Castle Way was second to his more experienced stablemate on his debut but wasn’t beaten far despite having a slow start and running green. It’ll be a shock if he’s beaten today.
King Me is well bred, by Kingman out of Gemstone, meaning he’s a half brother to numerous winners including UAE Jewel, who won two out of three races with his sole defeat coming behind Group One winners Benbatl and Zaaki. He may well need further in time, which is a concern but Jason Hart is riding well and he has the prime draw, which this race has been won three times from. If he’s primed then he may well take the silver medal today.
KING ME (E/W) 15:20 Salisbury
Immortal Beauty has improved for her step up in distance, winning at both six and seven furlongs and placing second the other time. She seemed smart at Newmarket and franked that when upped in distance at Lingfield. Ryan Moore has been booked to ride Richard Hannon’s filly but it is slightly surprising to see her back down in trip. As well as this she needs to prove herself at this class, which could be a tough ask.
Maria Branwell has enjoyed a nice start to her career, winning her first two races then placing a classy third in Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. On that form, she’s a major player. However, she was slightly disappointing in the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes when she was sent off as favourite. She stepped up to six furlongs at York, in the Group Two Lowther Stakes. She finished sixth that day so the big question mark will be whether she can prove she stays the six furlongs today.
Juliet Sierra is stepping up markedly in class today but she may well have potential. She was second in her debut at Newmarket behind Streets Of Gold, who landed a nice handicap at the Ebor Meeting at York. The form from that Newmarket race has worked out well, with many others going on to win or place in future races. She won commandingly on her latest start at Nottingham and this well bred filly holds entries into top class races like the Cheveley Park and the Fillies’ Mile. She’s taken to continue her progress today.
JULIET SIERRA (WIN) written by Kieran McHugh