Brigadier Gerard Stakes: Tryster to prove a top-notch racehorse
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By Timeform -- published 27th May 2015
A very strong renewal of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes is set to take place at Sandown on Thursday evening, and here’s the Timeform view on the Group3 contest.
The Brigadier Gerard Stakes may be registered as a Group 3, but it would be little surprise were at least three of this six-strong field to make an impact at the highest level during the course of the season, such is the untapped potential of Arab Spring, Eagle Top and Tryster.
The obvious place to start is with likely market leader Tryster, who heads Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings following a highly-successful all-weather campaign comprising of five wins from as many outings, culminating in a phenomenally-impressive success in the Easter Classic on All-Weather Championships Finals Day. The turn of foot – and sectional time – produced by Tryster on Finals Day marked him down as a high-class performer, one with the potential to make his mark at the top level, and he will prove tough to beat if proving as effective back on turf.
Just behind Tryster on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings is John Gosden’s unpenalised King Edward VII Stakes winner Eagle Top. Eagle Top came a long way in a very short space of time as a three-year-old, running out an impressive winner of that Royal Ascot Group 2, beating subsequent Cox Plate winner Adelaide on just his third start. He wasn’t seen again following a creditable fourth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but he’s clearly blessed with plenty of ability and has to be respected on his return to action.
Another horse who progressed rapidly as a three-year-old was the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Arab Spring. He easily defied top weight in the Duke of Edinburgh handicap at Royal Ascot to complete his four-timer, and, following a disappointing display on his final start last season, resumed progress when landing a Group 3 at Newbury on his return. Arab Spring has done most of his winning at a mile and a half but he’s not slow and is likely to prove as effective back at this trip.
Arab Spring, Eagle Top and Tryster are the unexposed and exciting trio, but Western Hymn shouldn’t be overlooked following his gallant victory over C&D on his reappearance last month. Western Hymn took the notable scalps of Postponed and Cannock Chase in the Gordon Richards Stakes, and also won the Classic Trial over C&D last year, so is clearly fully effective at this venue.
The field is completed by Tullius, who has stamina to prove at this trip, and Niceofyoutotellme, who is likely to find at least a few of these too good.
It’s not easy to identify where the pace is going to come from in this year’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes, and that looks to the advantage of Tryster, whose remarkable acceleration will surely prove decisive in the event of a steadily-run affair. Tryster’s not purely reliant on things developing into a sprint, however, as he also boasts a tremendous cruising speed and simply looks a high-class horse, just one who has taken an unconventional route to the top.
Recommendation:
Back Tryster in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes
Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:
138 Tryster
137 Eagle Top
132 Arab Spring
131 Western Hymn
126+ Tullius
123 Niceofyoutotellme
You can view a free Race Pass for the Brigadier Gerard Stakes by clicking this link
for the pointer stick. 14lbs penalty tempered by the 7lbs jockey allowance, currently 5/1 fav. Back up in trip but down in grade, I dunno - not sure he really gets much further than 2 miles to be honest (a good 2nd to Vulcanite over 18F is about the only evidence I can find). Still on a very handy mark but this is competitive and that bloody Pipe horse down the bottom of the weights, together with Jonjo's, make me nervous.
