Century a Dream each-way bet in Sussex Stakes
POETIC FLARE has been a sensational horse this season, landing the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes as well as finishing a close second in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Jim Bolger’s three-year-old loved hearing his hooves rattle at Ascot last time, although it was soft to heavy at the Curragh so we know he can handle the ground.
He is easily the most likely winner of Wednesday’s highlight, the Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35pm), but at the prices I will be backing CENTURY DREAM in the World Pool Win and Place markets with Tote.co.uk.
Simon & Ed Crisford’s son of Cape Cross thrives on very soft ground, as he showed when bolting up in the Group Two Celebration Mile by nearly five lengths over this course and distance last August.
Narrowly touched off at Epsom last month, he then won at Windsor before finishing a close second to Tilsit in the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot a few weeks back.
Group One company has always been a bridge too far, but he gets his ideal conditions here and he looks a good bet at around the 20/1 mark to sneak into the places.
For those interested in a World Pool Quinella bet with Tote.co.uk, I will add SNOW LANTERN to Poetic Flare and Century Dream.
Richard Hannon’s filly was incredibly impressive in the Falmouth Stakes last time out and while she is another who would probably prefer quicker ground, she ran a cracker to be second to Alcohol Free in the Coronation Stakes on heavy ground at Royal Ascot.
Sean Levey is banned so Jamie Spencer gets on board this impeccably bred filly (by Frankel out of Sky Lantern) and he could be the ideal substitute to settle her and play her late.
Add the fact that she receives a huge three-year-old fillies’ allowance and she should be hard to keep out of the frame.
POINTERS
Century Dream e/w 3.35pm Goodwood
Quinella: Poetic Flare, Century Dream, Snow Lantern