RACE 2 1.50

THE bet365 STAKES (CLASS 1) (REGISTERED AS THE STEVENTON STAKES) (Listed Race)

for three yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £40000

(For conditions of this race see page 64)

Leading course trainer (17-22): W Haggas (41 wins from 187 runners, 22%) runs AL AASY

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): W Haggas (9 wins from 46 runners, 20%) runs AL AASY

Longest Travellers: OVIEDO trained by E Bethell & PHANTOM FLIGHT trained by James Horton, both Middleham, 236 miles.

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 AL AASY (IRE) (21)

B g Sea The Stars (IRE) - Kitcara (Shamardal (USA))

Shadwell Estate Company Ltd

Br Sunderland Holding Inc.

J Jim Crowley

William Haggas, Newmarket 2240/1-5 C

TIMEFORM VIEW Very talented but no battler, as shown when edged out in Coronation Cup at Epsom and Group 2 at Newmarket in 2021. Resumed winning ways back down in class in listed race at Ascot sole 2022 start but not on a going day after 14 months off at Newmarket earlier this month. Major claims in this. TFRHHHHH

2 EPIC POET (IRE) (251)

B c Lope deVega (IRE) - Sagaciously (IRE) (Lawman (FR))

4 9 8 (1) BHA106

White Birch Farm & Mr Brook Johnson Freddie & Martyn Meade, Manton

Br George Kent S Hadleigh Property Group

J Oisin Murphy

131322- D

TIMEFORM VIEW Smart performer who landed minor event at Longchamp and listed race at Compiegne in 2022. Placed on final 3 starts for Jean-Claude Rouget and interesting to see what the market makes of him returning from 8 months off for a new yard. TFRHHHII

3 HIGHLAND AVENUE (IRE) (32)

Gr g Dubawi (IRE) - Lumiere (Shamardal (USA))

Godolphin

5 9 8 (6) BHA109

Charlie Appleby, Newmarket

Br Godolphin S Emirates Fly Better

J William Buick

0/00-324

TIMEFORMVIEW Three-time winner in 2021 and has put up 3 good runs in recent weeks back from a lengthy absence, latest when fourth in listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (10f, good) last month. In the mix back in a small-field scenario. TFRHHHHI

4 PHANTOM FLIGHT (GB) (21)

B c Siyouni (FR) - Qushchi (Encosta de Lago (AUS))

4 9 8 (4) BHA105

J P. J. McDonald

Coverdale Stud James Horton, Middleham 310-334 D

Br St Albans Bloodstock LLP S Manor House Farm

TIMEFORM VIEW Progressive during his debut season in 2022, winning 3 times, and shaped well on all 3 starts this season, albeit not seen to best effect when down the field at Newmarket (12f, good to firm) earlier this month. Back down in trip and certainly not discounted. TFRHHHII

5 DANCING MAGIC (IRE) (30)

B c Camelot - Poisson d’Or (Cape Cross (IRE))

Fishdance Ltd

Br Fishdance

3 8 13 (5) BHA104

Roger Teal, Lambourn

S Fishdance Ltd

J Sean Levey

244-300

H T

TIMEFORM VIEW Remains a maiden but has been highly tried, wasting no time getting back on track in a first-time hood/tongue strap when 4 lengths eighth of 16 to Waipiro in Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (10f, good to firm) last month, confirming his stamina for the trip. More required here. TFRHHIII

6 OVIEDO (IRE) (30)

B c Lope deVega (IRE) - Gallitea (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))

Ms Fiona Carmichael & Ballylinch Stud

Br Ballylinch Stud

3 8 13 (3) BHA100

Edward Bethell, Middleham

S Tote

J Tom Marquand

300-610 D

TIMEFORM VIEW Made a winning debut at Doncaster and has taken his form up a notch this year, suited by step up in trip when doubling his tally on handicap debut at Redcar (10f) in May. Hung violently left when ninth in Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (10f) so he’s tough to fancy. TFRHHIII

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 6 (EXACTA)

Hood, Tongue Strap worn by No. 5.

2022: GROCER JACK (GER) 5 9 8 Tom Marquand 5-4 (William Haggas) 5 ran

Betting Forecast: 10-11 Al Aasy (IRE), 7-2 Highland Avenue (IRE), 7-1 Epic Poet (IRE), 9-1 Phantom Flight (GB), 18-1 Dancing Magic (IRE), 33-1 Oviedo (IRE)

Race Summary: A very smart performer in his prime, AL AASY wasn’t on a going day on his return from a lengthy absence at Newmarket 3 weeks ago but fancied to leave that effort well behind, William Haggas’ 6-y-o can notch a sixth career success at the expense of Highland Avenue, who has returned in good order this season and should be bang there back in this small-field scenario. Phantom Flight can fill out third spot.

1-2-3: 1.AL AASY (IRE) 2.HIGHLAND AVENUE (IRE) 3.PHANTOM FLIGHT

Position of the Stalls

Straight Course: Centre Back Straight: Inside