Group Two Superlative Stakes Guide 2021

Heading the early betting markets is Dhabab for the Gosden’s and Frankie Dettori.

The 2 year old son of No Nay Never was last seen at Royal Ascot in the Coventry Stakes. Well backed until post time, he was sent off the 4/1 favourite but some trouble in running saw him only manage 6th place.

He made significant late headway when he saw daylight and surely would have gotten a lot closer had he had a clear run.

A smaller field here hopefully means he won’t have the same traffic problems and the bookies are already ducking for cover as Dettori takes over in the saddle.

Only tested over 6 furlongs to date, he powered home up Ascot’s stiff finish in the Coventry, the new further trip should unlock some more improvement.

Representing the Godolphin blue and Charlie Appleby is Native Trail. The colt has only been seen once on course but made quite the impression on his debut.

Taking to the track last month at Sandown, the market had sussed him out as the likeliest winner of the maiden contest and he went off 8/11 in the betting.

Favourite backers might have been concerned when he looked to get outpaced but when William Buick got to work in the saddle he rallied for pressure. Running out a comfortable 4 length winner in the end.

The form hasn’t taken much of a boosting subsequently but he did it nicely enough on debut.

Maybe inexperience saw him get lazy at Sandown, but the way he applied himself when asked was encouraging.

Maybe a tad short in the betting for what he’s achieved but he’s entitled to improve bundles from his debut.

A cosy winner of his debut for Michael Bell back in early June, Great Max was thrown straight into the deep end subsequently and ran a screamer at Ascot to be 3rd in the Chesham Stakes behind Point Lonsdale.

He seemed to be caught on heels a little bit when the field was getting into the sprint for home. He showed a big engine to dig in and rally home for third place.

A winner over 6 furlongs he’s not short of pace but seemed to be caught for acceleration approaching the furlong marker.

He’d appreciate them going hard here and using his stamina to try pick up the pieces.

Rossa Ryan takes over in the plate and might try to make more use of his mount’s stamina.

Andrew Balding was a man in form with the Juveniles at Ascot and he sent Masekela for the Chesham Stakes. However this young colt only managed 5th behind the impressive Point Lonsdale.

A winner on debut over 6 furlongs at Goodwood, he cut through soft ground with ease and looked to have bundles of stamina. He struggled to replicate that in the Chesham.

He sat prominent in the field but gradually weakened as the race developed.

His win came over 6 furlongs on a sharper speed favouring course, he tries again at a stiff 7 furlongs, it’ll be interesting to see if his stamina lasts out or if Oisin Murphy changes the tactics on board.

Tom Dascombe is represented by Mot And The Messer off the back of a very impressive performance at Ripon.

Debuting at Haydock in late May, he seemed to learn on the job. He was outpaced by rivals but kept rallying under pressure. He faded late on but showed plenty to hint at his ability.

Undeterred from a 5th place finish, he was churned out again last month at Ripon and justified even money favouritism to bolt up by 5.5 lengths. The 2nd and 5th have boosted the form by winning since.

He looks to be all stamina and looked better the further he went over 6 furlongs last time. He sat close to the pace and took command late on to pile on the pressure and hit the line strongly.

Going further will likely suit but he’ll have to quickly adjust to group company to get competitive. Not without hope.

Owned by 5 Liverpool FC footballers, Mr McCann showed plenty of promise on debut to be 3rd over 5 furlongs at Leicester. Certainly shaping like a longer trip would suit, he got off the mark at the second time of asking when moved up in trip.

A 6 furlong win at Lingfield on the all weather didn’t look the most compelling piece of form despite him doing it well enough. He confirmed his promise however when winning recently at Haydock over 7 furlongs.

Despite carrying a penalty he made every yard of the running and looked really smart in doing so. Un-fancied in the market he went off a massive 22/1.

He easily drew clear of the field and Jane Elliott could ease her mount down at the line as he’d bounded clear.

Well worth a go in this higher grade, he looks to have a massive engine and is a nice uncomplicated sort. Likely to relish the challenge, hopefully he can back up off a short break and give his running.

The second string for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby is seemingly Private Signal.

Debuting last month over 7 furlongs at Doncaster, the Sea The Stars colt was unlucky not to win at the first time of asking as he drew clear with Austrian Theory only to go down by a neck to his rival.

With that experience under his belt he easily shed his maiden tag at the second attempt at Leicester only 11 days later.

Given time to freshen up after two quick runs, he made every yard last time and looked impressive in doing so.

The form has yet to be seriously tested so it’s hard to assess his chances here, but he didn’t put up a bad time and will improve again for the victory.

Tom Clover saddles Papa Cocktail. The Churchill colt has notched two runs and a win for connections this season.

Debuting in a hot novice stakes at Yarmouth he came 3rd behind Chesham runners Reach For The Moon and New Science, coming 2nd and 7th respectively.

He struggled to lie up with those two rivals on his debut but easily shed his maiden tag on his most recent outing at Haydock. He got weight from the 2nd and 3rd but ran on well to see them off comfortably.

Bumping into a couple of smart sorts on his first run, he improved to win subsequently and could have more to offer with more experience behind him.

Previously mentioned having form tying in with Private Signal, Austrian Theory pulled well clear with the Godolphin colt but was always doing enough to seal a debut victory at Doncaster.

The form has obviously worked out well with Private Signal winning since.

He’s probably a touch long in the betting compared to that rival and will have plenty of improvement in him off the back of a debut win.

He was green on debut and drifted markedly to his left under pressure, so likely will be more professional on his second outing.