Royal Playwright sets the standard as three-year-olds test their Classic credentials in the Listed BetMGM Burradon Stakes (1.15pm) over a mile.
An impressive debut winner at Sandown Park, Royal Playwright finished third behind Field Of Gold in the G3 Solario Stakes and second to Wimbledon Hawkeye in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes.
Jeff Smith’s homebred trailed home last in the G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on his final juvenile appearance, ending the campaign with a rating of 110.
A Lope de Vega colt out of G1 Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen, Royal Playwright will be hoping to perform better than his half-brother Arabian Storm, who could only finish ninth after being sent off favourite for the 2023 Burradon Stakes.
James Fanshawe’s Glittering Legend has 6lb to find on BHA figures after making a successful reappearance in a mile conditions race at Kempton Park last month.
Bowmark heads three contenders defending unbeaten records, with the Kingman colt quickening clear in a Kempton Park novice in December for John & Thady Gosden.
The Irish challenge is made up of Titanium Emperor (Adrian Murray), who on debut defeated seasoned opposition in a mile conditions race at Dundalk, and dual Southwell winner Michael Scofield (Michael O’Callaghan).
Course scorer Nordic Norm lines up for Karl Burke, who won the race 12 months ago with Cuban Tiger.
Burradon horses with major Classic entries
Royal Playwright – Irish 2,000 Guineas, Derby, Prix du Jockey Club
Bowmark – Prix du Jockey Club
The view from connections
Andrew Balding, trainer of Royal Playwright, said: “We have been happy with the work he has done coming into this. He is a horse we think will stay further in time, but this looks a good starting point and he is in good shape.”
John Gosden, co-trainer of Bowmark, said: “He is a big, talented horse who has only run once in his life. This is a different game stepping into Stakes company, but the uphill finish will suit him although, like all of ours, the run will bring him on.”
Tom Fanshawe, assistant trainer of Glittering Legend, said: “He has come out of Kempton in good order and this race looked the logical next step. It looks as though it will be competitive with several unknown quantities, but he is a progressive horse and we are looking forward to running him.”
Adrian Murray, trainer of Titanium Emperor, said: “He is a nice horse and goes there with a live chance, although I think he could end up getting a bit further than a mile. We like him.”
Karl Burke, trainer of Nordic Norm, said: “He looks well out of it at the weights, but we think he is a Listed-class horse, so we felt he should take his chance.”
