Sun Chariot Success For Kiyoshi At Newmarket

With French raiders boasting a strong record in Saturday’s Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes (3.30), punters will need to show respect…

…when eyeing up this year’s continental contenders.

French Raiders
Having won four of the last five renewals, it comes as no surprise to see Andre Fabre’s Fintry (2/1) at the head of Saturday’s lists, and she has already shown what she can do on these shores when landing a Group 3 at Sandown five weeks ago (1m, good to soft).

That victory made it 4-5 for the 3yo, having previously won a Group 2 in France (1m, good), and her chance will be there for all to see come race time – a chance that will increase should any forecast rain arrive.

Brit Challenge
The home challenge is spearheaded by Sir Michael Stoute’s Integral (3/1) whose trainer won this race himself in 2005. This 4yo showed improvement in landing a Group 2 at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm), prior to landing her first Group 1 at Newmarket (1m, soft) in July.

Integral was then sent off at odds-on to land a four-runner Group 1 in France the following month, but fluffed her lines in finishing only third behind the winner, Esoterique (6/1) and runner-up, Miss France (5/1). However, the combination of a slow gallop and soft ground was not in her favour, and she could reverse form with the two who beat her that day on Saturday back on faster ground – should it stay dry.

Integral will also be locking horns once more with Sky Lantern (8/1), who beat her 1l in last year’s Sun Chariot Stakes. Despite having been beaten 9l and 5l by Integral on both outings this season, Sky Lantern does arrive here a fresh horse. Richard Hannon’s 4yo certainly likes it here having shown form-figures of 112 on the Rowley Mile, and any market support may be significant.

Outsiders

Punters should note, however, that four of the last eight winners of this returned 12/1, 16/1, 16/1 and 12/1, which gives the likes of Charles Hills’ Kiyoshi (12/1) some appeal.

Although well beaten in a couple of Group 1’s in the summer (when recovering from sickness), this 3yo hit back to win a Group 3 at Doncaster last month (7f, good) where cheekpieces did the trick.

Kiyoshi is certainly no outsider and represents value at decent odds, especially as she is officially rated 111, which has been good enough to win this race in the past…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Sun Chariot winners…

9 were officially rated 107 or higher
9 ran twice or less during last 90 days
9 had 10 career runs or less – others were 1-31
9 finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th last time out
6 were drawn in stalls 1, 2 or 3
R Collet won it three times

William Haggas’ Etaab (20/1) is also big odds despite winning four of her last five races – the last of which a career best in Listed company over C&D (good), having graduated from handicaps. She is another improver who could surprise at generous odds.

Recommended Bets
The French challenge certainly needs respect, such has been their record in the race of late, but with several shocks also having taken place, Kiyoshi looks decent each-way value at 12/1.