Among a large list of potential suspects, KEYSER SOZE could provide the solution to Saturday's Totescoop6 Victoria Cup at Ascot.
Having been off the course since finishing down the field in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last June, Jamie Spencer's mount made a truly eye-catching reappearance in the Spring Cup at Newbury last month coming from over ten lengths off the pace to lead inside the final furlong only to be out-stayed by Taqdeer and Humbert in a bunch finish (Repercussion fifth, Tony Curtis eighth, Gilgamesh 20th).
What made the effort even more extraordinary was that Keyser Soze was switched right immediately after leaving the stalls from stall one on the far side so forfeiting all momentum in order to obtain a position closer to the centre-to-stands side.
Just coasting along in the rear, he made rapid headway throughout the final two furlongs and, unbelievably, probably hit the front too soon suggesting he will have ample speed to cope with this drop from a mile to seven furlongs.
Indeed, it will be a big surprise on that evidence if the son of Arcano doesn't make up into a very useful horse this season.
The other obvious improver in the field is Kynren who, after completing a hat-trick of wins in the second half of last season, made an encouraging return when third behind High Acclaim in the Spring Mile (Lincoln consolation race) at Doncaster in late March.
He too could rate much higher in future, though his best form has come with plenty of give in the ground.
Sabador, another Britannia also ran last June and off the course since, looked decent when winning over seven furlongs at Ayr on his previous start and is another to keep an eye on for an in-form yard.
Earlier, THUNDERING BLUE should appreciate a step up to a mile-and-a-half in the opening Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap.
David Menuisier's charge never quite landed a blow over two furlongs shorter at Epsom first time out behind the useful Ajman King but was not knocked about and kept on well in the closing stages.
Impressive when winning three races in a row last season over a mile-and-a-quarter earning favouritism for the Cambridgeshire in which he finished a staying-on seventh, the grey is open to further improvement over this trip.
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