AESTERIUS should have too much zip in the Molecomb on day two of Glorious Goodwood.
There’s a big field of speedy two-year-olds for this Group 3, a race which looks tailor-made for Archie Watson’s colt.
Aesterius who heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings by 1 lb from Celandine who is 6 lb clear of the remainder.
Aesterius, who is one of several in the line-up with a ‘p’ on his rating indicating further improvement to come, suffered his only defeat in three starts when a close-up fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He again impressed with how he went about things when landing a Listed race at Sandown early this month.
Goodwood’s sharper five furlongs should be ideal given the way he races. Celandine looks interesting down in trip given the speed she’s been showing over six furlongs and is the clear main danger.
The opening handicap can go to the Roger Varian-trained French Duke, who very much caught the eye at Royal Ascot last time.
Despite failing to settle on his first try at the trip, he swept past the majority of the field in the King George V Stakes before finishing sixth behind Going The Distance.
He’s still favourably handicapped, topping the adjusted ratings by 1 lb, and retains the scope for more improvement if settling better in a hood.
Coto de Caza would have been well worth her place in the Molecomb earlier on the card but instead Simon & Ed Crisford’s filly is a clear choice against her own sex in the Alice Keppel Conditions Stakes.
She has 4lb in hand of the next filly Convo and the expensive breeze-up purchase got off the mark at the second attempt at Beverley earlier in the month.
That confirmed her debut promise in no uncertain terms, quickly drawing clear once leading under two furlongs out and having five lengths to spare at the line.
She’s bred for speed and looks sure to improve again and can follow up that success.
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