After a bruising encounter with Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the King George, Saturday's G3 32Red Superior Mile at Haydock sees 'TDN Rising Star' Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) drop markedly in trip in an experiment by Saeed bin Suroor. Third when still raw over this distance in Newmarket's G3 Craven S. on Apr. 20, Godolphin's hard-working and resilient performer captured Royal Ascot's G3 Hampton Court S. over a mile and a quarter on June 22 before finding the searching extra two furlongs on testing ground beyond him when fifth in Ascot's midsummer showpiece on July 29. “Benbatl showed plenty of speed at Ascot last time and has been working well since then,” his trainer said. “The ground should be fine and I am looking for a good result on his return to Group 3 company.”
Of the elders, Saeed Suhail's progressive Ballet Concerto (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is certain to play a hand after his easy win in the competitive John Smith's Cup over an extended 10 furlongs at York on July 15 and follow-up success in Salisbury's G3 Sovereign S. over this trip on Aug. 17, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's July 1 Listed Midsummer S. winner Morando (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) is also primed for a big performance. He was disappointing when fourth in Leopardstown's G3 Desmond S. last time on Aug. 17, but trainer Roger Varian is keeping the faith. “The ground dried back at Leopardstown and the race wasn't run to suit Morando, but he still hit the line strongly and looks well capable of making his mark at this level,” he said. “He is quite at home in testing conditions and this has been the plan since–he looks in great order.”
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