2.55 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) 5f
Gustavus Weston: Classy five-year-old has been in the form of his life this season as evidenced by Group 2 and Group 3 victories as well as a second to Mooneista in the Sapphire Stakes over this course and distance in July. Couldn’t be in better form and lines up with solid claims.
Strong Johnson: Decent sprint handicapper who won last season’s Rockingham and came back to his best to win here and at Tipperary last month. However, this is a very tall order and he is up against it.
A Case Of You: Won last season’s Group 3 Anglesey Stakes and added to his pattern-race haul in the Lacken Stakes at Naas in May. Bounced back from a poor Commonwealth Cup run to take third behind Gustavus Weston last time and could do better again but now needs a career best.
Dragon Symbol: Admirable type who won his first four starts and finished first past the post in the Commonwealth Cup in June. Has continued to hold his own at the top level, as evidenced by placed runs in the July Cup and the Nunthorpe, and must have every chance although 6f might be a better trip for him.
Rohaan: Progressed from a basement rating of 55 to defeat Dragon Symbol in a Haydock Group 2 in May and won the Wokingham at Ascot the following month. Two subsequent Group 1 defeats leave him with a few questions to answer.
Significantly: Was in great form during the summer when picking up a couple of smart 5f handicaps at Ascot. His last two runs would suggest that his improvement could be levelling off and he lines up with plenty to find.
Back To Brussels: Useful type who has run plenty of decent races in good company but has never won at stakes level. Hasn’t looked at her best on her last couple of runs and others make more appeal.
Glass Slippers: Top-notch sprinting mare who seems to come into her own in the autumn and boasts a formidable record at this level as evidenced by a 2019 success in the Prix de l’Abbaye and a victory in this race last year which preceded a win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Lines up off a fine comeback third to Suesa at Goodwood and a strong defence of her title should be forthcoming.
Romantic Proposal: Improving mare who looked a pattern-class sprinter in the making when bolting up in a listed race here on Derby weekend. Could never land a blow when a 4l third in the Sapphire Stakes here last time but was disadvantaged by the way the race unfolded and could easily step forward with a better passage.
Frenetic: Very quick and talented juvenile in 2020 when winning three times at listed level. Has struggled in two runs at stakes level either side of a premier handicap win at Cork this year and she looks up against it here.
Measure Of Magic: Started off her season in great style with listed wins at Navan and Cork before taking third in the Commonwealth Cup. Ran way below her best in the Sapphire Stakes last time but has been given plenty of time to bounce back from that and a much-improved showing should be forthcoming.
Mooneista: Very smart filly who has done really well this year, winning a listed race at Naas before posting a career best to land the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over this course and distance in July. That last run entitles her to the utmost respect and she is unlikely to be far away at the finish.
Winter Power: Ended last year on a high when landing the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes in clear-cut fashion and, after winning two of her first three runs this term, took things to a new level when defeating subsequent Haydock Sprint Cup winner Emaraaty Ana in last month’s Nunthorpe Stakes. That last effort makes her the benchmark for success.
Verdict
A good renewal with plenty of Group 1 form on offer. Glass Slippers shaped nicely on her comeback and excels at this time of year so she is put forward to repeat last year’s victory. Nunthorpe heroine Winter Power must have every chance along with compatriot Dragon Symbol who has done so well this year. Mooneista and Gustavus Weston are both in the form of their lives and, along with Measure Of Magic, represent a solid home defence.