Ebor Meeting (3rd Day)

Nothing more to be said but that was a disappointing run from Under The Stars in the Lowther. She was restrained slightly and a bit keen early on but in truth the winner was given a free run in front on a day that proved to favour front-runners. The Princess Margaret Stakes proved influential but the form was turned around on this occasion.
Enable as expected proved too classy and her regular rival Magical must be unlucky in having to meet this superstar when she herself is a class filly.
I'm at risk of drawing a blank this year if I don't get my act together.
As for today the Lonsdale looks a certainty for Stardivarius,  they may try to test his stamina but they tried that in the Gold Cup and failed. Dee Ex Bee looks a cup horse to follow next year, presuming John Gosden's charge retires.

Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 (6f)

This doesn't appear to be a strong renewal on paper, Threat  brings both Royal Ascot and Richmond Stakes to the table but there are no runners that have competed in the July Stakes or the Prix Robert Papin, races that have influenced this Group 2 in the past. Threat was 2nd in the Coventry and followed that with another 2nd in the Richmond. The Coventry form has been boosted by Golden Horde and Royal Lytham since winning at Group level but several have let the form down and they did finish in a line at Ascot with a few closing in on the leader late on. The Richmond was won by Golden Horde by just under 1l in a race where it was an advantage to race prominently. Both the winner and 2nd were clear of the rest but the form might be suspect as they didn't go too fast early on. Currently at 7/4 he looks short enough in a race where several improvers could to be lurking. 
One of those could well be Spartan Fighter who beat subsequent Norfolk and Prix Robert Papin winner A' Ali in a close finish at Ripon in June. He followed that by conceding a penalty at York in a novice race and deserves a shot at Group level. Likes to race prominently which is a trait that often pays off here and at around 15/2 is not a bad price for a promising sort. Abstemious won what looks a weak novice over course & distance and likes to race up with the pace and is another at a price that is worth considering. 

Selection:
With a short enough favourite I like the look of Spartan Fighter (EW) as he links both Royal Ascot and Prix Robert Papin form via his close win over A' Ali. Should be up with the pace and has been kept for this by his stable.