Group Three Al Rayyan Stakes Guide 2021

William Haggas is yet to win the Aston Park Stakes (Al Rayyan) however holds leading claims here in the form of entrant Al Aasy.

The progressive colt was ultra impressive last time out on his seasonal reappearance the John Porter stakes (Group 3) over C&D by an ever growing 4 1/2 length margin. 

The son of Sea The Stars clearly holds potential to go up in trip given the manner of that victory but is instead asked to deliver the same task once more here by which a repeat of that last run would have him difficult to stop. 

He looks to be versatile groundwise having won on soft underfoot conditions in the past and all looks set up for another big effort.

Al Aasy will strip fitter for his comeback run, can continue his progression once more and is equipped with usual winning jock, Jim Crowley on board.

Fans favourite Logician marks his return with a run here on the back of a 218 day break for John and Thady Gosden. 

Logician was unbeaten is his opening six runs up until his last run, boasting a classic win in the Doncaster St Leger (Group 1, 12f) which is easily the pick of the form in this field. 

The son of Frankel suffered a life threatening bout of peritonitis in December 2019 however and it was a great miracle to see him run again, winning a minor two runner contest on his return. 

The Cumberland stakes followed with Logician going off 1/3 favourite however he finished last of four, weakening in the closing stages, beaten by an eventual 10 lengths. 

He offers an interesting proposition once more here and punters will be eager to see know his well-being on his return. 

The 5 year old has a lot to prove, however if John and Thady have him firing, he will be a big player here with Frankie Dettori equipped on board. 

Trainer Mark Johnston has won this race once before in 2007 and is represented here by Thunderous with Ryan Moore in the saddle.

The Night of Thunder colt scored a hat-trick of wins at 7f in his opening three runs, proving his natural pace.

He was subsequently stepped up to 10f and improved on his first run at the distance to win next time out in the Dante (G2).

He remains unexposed over 12f with just the one run at the distance last time out at Newmarket by which he finished a well beaten third. 

The four year old has it all to prove once more at the distance however should he progress again, will be entitled to fair claims in this.

Ranch Hand offers an interesting proposition here dropping back in trip from two miles to the 12f distance. 

Andrew Balding’s gelding has been impressive the last twice at two miles, winning on the all-weather in Class 2 events and is now on the hunt for a hat-trick. 

Based on these recent exploits however, the drop back in trip doesn’t look sure to suit and Ranch Hand may find the race to be on the sharp side. 

Despite this, the employment of champion jockey Oisin Murphy on board can be some cause for hope and if showing early signs of speed, may have a say in this for the in-form yard. 

Another smart performer up at two miles, Rainbow Dreamer is making the drop back to 1m 4f. 

Alan Kings runner beat Ocean Wind (length second to Stradivarius) on his penultimate run at 2m on the all weather, showing he is a smart type. 

The eight year old son of Aqlaam doesn’t look to be crying out for the drop back in trip however and the pace possessed by some of today’s rivals should find him out here.

Big priced outsider Asiaff represents David Menuisier in the race who is in decent form currently. 

Menuisier recently acquired Asiaff from Marcus Tregoning who was frustrating for her former trainer after failing to build upon her low grade Goodwood win. 

She does receive a fillies allowance for taking on the boys here and should learn a lot from the race. 

However, this represents a huge hike in grade and she will have to make a massive step forward from her stable debut last time out when finishing a well beaten third in a class 4 event (10f).