![](https://myracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RP_ID00435588-scaled-e1675611330494.jpg)
Eight runner’s have been declared from this up-to-scratch 2yo Group 3 event over 7f. Read our full race preview for our experts’ betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Aidan O’Brien’s representative, Whitecliffsofdover, came with a hefty price-tag and looked full of potential when winning a Naas maiden last month; He is very likely to make his mark in Pattern company at some stage but this can go to ESCOBAR, who has impressed on both his outings and could be back here for the Dewhurst next month if all goes to plan today. Larchmont Lad was short of room in the closing stages when a close third in Listed company at the St Leger meeting this month and will be on the premises if in similar form here. Sir Dancealot is still a work-in-progress and may not be straightforward but evidently has a very good engine and also has a part to play if able to transfer his Polytrack form to turf.
1 Bear Valley – Stayed on strongly to win good-quality nursery by 4l at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in July; that performance offers significant hope he can be competitive in Pattern company, but he took a backward step when only sixth of seven in a Group 3 at York last month.
2 Best Solution – Beaten odds-on favourite when only third of five in 6f Listed event in Turkey this month but shaped very much as though he’ll benefit from today’s step up in trip when winning Goodwood maiden (6f, good) in July; needs to better that form here but has the potential to do so.
3 Escobar – Out of a Group-placed 2yo and has impressed on both starts, more recently when pushed-out winner of small-field Listed event at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last month; contests a deeper race today but needs to be taken very seriously.
4 Larchmont Lad – Drew nicely clear to make winning debut at Sandown (7f, good to soft) in July and comes here after finishing close third in Listed company at Doncaster (7f, good) a fortnight ago, where he was arguably a shade unlucky; probably won’t be far away.
5 Law And Order – Doesn’t have a particularly exciting pedigree but ran to a useful level when winning a maiden on the July course here (7f, good to firm) last month, his second start, and there’s a good chance he has more to offer.
6 Sir Dancealot – Too green to do himself justice on debut but won Kempton maiden (7f, AW) by 6l last month and followed-up in conditions race over that C&D 19 days ago; still appears to be learning and needs to prove he’s effective on turf but he’s well worth his place in this line-up.
7 Ultimate Avenue – Changed hands for 340,000euros as a yearling and came good at the second attempt, when making virtually all in a Newbury maiden (7f, good to firm) last month; enjoyed the run of the race there and faces a much tougher assignment here but it’s hard to gauge the limit of his ability.
8 Whitecliffsofdover – Cost over $1 million as a yearly and improved upon encouraging debut when clearcut winner of Naas maiden (7f, good) last month; open to any amount of further progress and no surprise if he poses a potent threat.
myracing Forecast Prices: 5/4 Escobar, 7/2 Whitecliffsofdover, 5/1 Larchmont Lad, 8/1 Sir Dancealot, 10/1 Best Solution, 12/1 Bear Valley, 16/1 Ultimate Avenue, 20/1 Law And Order