ARDABIL has improved as a gelding and he stayed on encouragingly to finish a close-up 3rd over this distance last time. The switch to the Summer course with its longer run-in should suit, so he gets the nod ahead of stablemate OKAVANGO who, on pedigree, will appreciate the sterner test of stamina and a more favourable barrier position, with Richard Fourie a notable jockey booking. BOMBERS IN THE SKY and WOOD WORLD have the form and experience to challenge for race honours, though the same could be said of MARINE MERCHANT who should have more to offer stretching out to this trip.
by Grégory Bougouin