RACE 2 2.25

THE AL RAYYAN STAKES (CLASS 1) (Registered as The Aston Park Stakes) (Group 3)

for four yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £100000

(For conditions of this race see page 63)

Leading course trainer (17-22): W Haggas (45 wins from 190 runners, 24%) runs GAASSEE

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): C Appleby (10 wins from 39 runners, 26%) runs KEMARI & YIBIR

Fancy That: W Haggas won this race in 2021 and 2022. The stable runs GAASSEE today

Longest Traveller: BOLSHOI BALLET trained by A O’Brien, Ireland.

RACE FACTS: BREEDING J JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER FORM Br BREEDER S SPONSOR

HEADGEAR KEY: H HOOD B BLINKERS V VISOR E EYESHIELD T TONGUE STRAP CP SHEEPSKIN CHEEKPIECES

COLOURS NO HORSE/DAYS SINCE LAST RUN

1 BOLSHOI BALLET (IRE) (28) 5 9 2 (7)

B h Galileo (IRE) - Alta Anna (FR) (Anabaa (USA))

J Ryan Moore

Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien, Ireland 4460/4-3

Br Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock

TIMEFORM VIEW 2021 Belmont Derby winner who has been seen just twice since his 3-y-o days, shaping well enough behind promising staying stablemate at Navan 4 weeks ago. Needs to build on that back in trip.TFRHHHII

2 GAASSEE (IRE) (273)

B g Sea The Stars (IRE) - Oojooba (Monsun (GER))

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum

5 9 2 (1) BHA103

William Haggas, Newmarket

J Tom Marquand

111/130- D

Br Godolphin T

TIMEFORM VIEW Got up a 4-timer in 1 1/2m handicap at the Dante meeting last season before a fine third in the Old Newton Cup. Well-beaten favourite in the Ebor final start and has been gelded. Retains potential over this trip and no surprise if he had more to offer in 2023. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 20/8/2022 it was reported that the horse was lame on its right foreleg. TFRHHHII

3 ISRAR (GB) (196)

B c Muhaarar - Taghrooda (Sea The Stars (IRE))

Shadwell Estate Company Ltd

Br Shadwell Estate Company Limited

4 9 2 (4) BHA106

J Jim Crowley

John & Thady Gosden, Newmarket 313310- C D

TIMEFORM VIEW Smart colt who was third in the King George V Handicap last summer and looked a good prospect when bagging Doncaster event in October Disappointing favourite in November Handicap there after but should bounce back and could be set for a good year, well worth his place at this level.

4 KEMARI (GB) (77)

B g Dubawi (IRE) - Koora (Pivotal)

Godolphin

Br Fittocks Stud

TFRHHHII

5 9 2 (6) BHA109

J James Doyle

Charlie Appleby, Newmarket 4226-42

S Emirates Fly Better CP

TFRHHHII

TIMEFORM VIEW 2021 Queen’s Vase winner who has run plenty of good races since, including in Meydan Group 2 over this trip 11 weeks ago. Not dismissed back on these shores

5 OLD HARROVIAN (GB) (40) 4 9 2 (2) BHA94

Ch g Sea The Stars (IRE) - Daivika (USA) (Dynaformer (USA))

Mr Michael Blencowe

Br Niarchos Family

J Oisin Murphy

Andrew Balding, Kingsclere 0-11 D

S Moretons Investments Ltd

TIMEFORMVIEW Much improved from debut (after an absence) when scoring at Lingfield, then made a fine impression when following up emphatically in a novice at Wolverhampton, again over this trip. Needs to prove he’s as effective on turf upped markedly in class, but there’s further progress on the cards if he is. TFRHHHII

6 YIBIR (GB) (317)

Ch g Dubawi (IRE) - Rumh (GER) (Monsun (GER))

Godolphin

Br Godolphin

5 9 2 (5) BHA119

J William Buick

Charlie Appleby, Newmarket 11/2231- C D

S Emirates Fly Better H

TIMEFORMVIEW High-class performer who signed off for 2022 with victory in the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket. Set for another good campaign and strong claims on these terms. TFRHHHHH

7 HASKOY (GB) (251)

B f Golden Horn - Natavia (Nathaniel (IRE))

4 8 13 (3) BHA109

Juddmonte Ralph Beckett, Kimpton Down

Br Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd

J Frankie Dettori

114- D

S Juddmonte Farms Inc T

TIMEFORMVIEW Won her first 2 starts last summer in Wolverhampton novice and Listed fillies’ event atYork before a fine effort in the St Leger under Dettori (still rough around the edges, finished second, demoted to fourth for causing interference). Tongue tied for return and should have more to offer TFRHHHHI

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 7 (EXACTA)

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 7. Hood worn by No. 6. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 4. Running for the first time since Gelding No. 2.

2022: ILARAAB (IRE) 5 9 5 Tom Marquand 9-2 (William Haggas) 6 ran

Betting Forecast: 7-4 Yibir (GB), 7-2 Haskoy (GB), 13-2 Kemari (GB), 9-1 Israr (GB), 10-1 Gaassee (IRE), 14-1 Old Harrovian (GB), 20-1 Bolshoi Ballet (IRE)

Race Summary: YIBIR has been a globe-trotting money-spinner for Godolphin and looks set for another profitable campaign. Unpenalised for his Group 2 Newmarket win when last seen in July, he can make a successful return. 4-y-o filly Haskoy was second past the post in the St Leger and could have more to offer in 2023. Israr and Gaassee are also ones to follow this year.

1-2-3: 1.YIBIR 2.HASKOY 3.GAASSEE (IRE)

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