In the 3.15 at
Newmarket on Thursday, Exosphere is on a retrieval mission
after trailing in eighth of nine, beaten 19 lengths, behind stable
companion Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last
month. Sir Michael Stoute’s 4-year-old had previously beaten Simple
Verse in convincing style at Newmarket, on going officially described
as ‘good to soft’ but, at Ascot, the trainer’s representative
reported that Exosphere was unsuited by the good to soft ground,
which was too soft on that occasion.
The going on the July
Course is currently good to firm, with drying conditions forecast for
the immediate future, so Exosphere, who won on good and good to firm
going as a 3-year-old, should have no such excuse this time. If he
can return to the form that saw him readily draw clear in the closing
stages to beat Simple Verse by 4 lengths in the Jockey Club Stakes,
over 1 mile 4 furlongs on the Rowley Mile Course, in April, he looks
a worthy favourite. The Grey Gatsby, who was winless last season, but
ran creditably in defeat at the highest level on all five starts,
provides stiff opposition, but at around 11/4 in the early price
lists Exosphere looks the one to be on.
Selection:
Newmarket 3.15 Exosphere (11/4 generally available)
