HAMMER CAN FLATTEN STEWARDS' CUP RIVALS

By Nick Grant, PA

Hammer The Hammer is undoubtedly a Group-class sprinter in the making and can land the Coral Stewards' Cup at Goodwood before progressing upwards.

 Kevin Ryan's three-year-old only ran twice last year and his improvement this season has been startling.

 Runner-up first time back at Southwell, he then won there in March off a mark of 80 and won again off 82 before bolting up at Chester's May meeting off 88 when he was put away for Ascot.

Back down to five furlongs having won his last two over six, he was only beaten by Adrestia in the Palace of Holyroodhouse and she was only beaten a nose off 8lb higher earlier this week.

 Al Aasy is never one to get carried away with, but he should be thereabouts in the Coral Glorious Stakes if he puts his best foot forward.

The William Haggas-trained gelding is blessed with loads of talent and when things go right he is a very capable performer on his day, as witnessed by his success in this race 12 months ago.

 Three outings this year suggest his engine is still intact as an eight-year-old and while he was never able to get into a position to challenge from the rear in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, to his credit he did keep on well enough.

Without the likes of Rebel's Romance and Al Riffa in opposition, this represents calmer waters and should be much more his cup of tea.

Goodie Two Shoes is a major contender in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes for Joseph O'Brien.

She is very much on an upward curve at the age of six, so much so that she arrives here in search of a four-timer, having recently gathered a first Group Three win.

Owned by JP McManus, the daughter of Fastnet Rock stays extremely well and should relish this mile and three-quarters as she steps up to Group Two levelfor the first time.

 Duraji looked like a smart prospect in the making before injury intervened, and in truth he has not shown much since returning from a 312-day absence.

But all that said, the fact Dermot Weld sends him here for the Coral Summer Handicap and has booked Ryan Moore might be all we need to know to take an interest.

It is generally folly to go against Charlie Appleby at Newmarket and Silent Love is the pick for the Moulton Paddocks operation in the British Stallion Studs EBF Chalice Stakes.

A daughter of Dubawi, she had shown ability in two maiden starts before getting her head in front at Kempton and this first try at a mile and a half promises to suit.

SELECTIONS:

DONCASTER: 1.45 New Vega, 2.20 Maasai Mata, 2.55 Rogue Allegiance, 3.30 Epicurian Lad, 4.10 Mayday Malone, 4.45 Young Fire, 5.20 Ishe Worth Agamble.

GALWAY: 2.02 Night Moon, 2.37 Last Kingdom, 3.12 Timmy Tuesday, 3.52 Some Pretender, 4.27 Action, 5.00 Zediani, 5.35 Reidh, 6.05 Alpha Capture.

GOODWOOD: 1.20 Al Aasy, 1.55 Duraji, 2.30 GOODIE TWO SHOES (NAP), 3.05 Hammer The Hammer, 3.45 Pellitory, 4.20 Isaac Newton, 4.55 Alpha Crucis.

HAMILTON: 5:55 Victor Cee, 6.30 Chico Magnifica, 7.00 Spirit Of Jura, 7.30 Classy Al, 8.00 Good Point, 8.30 Inanna, 9.00 Gemini Man.

LINGFIELD: 5.10 Port Erin, 5.40 Sir Laurence Graff, 6.15 Van Aert, 6.45 Gennadius, 7.15 Reservardo, 7.45 Play Me, 8.15 Flicka's Girl.

NEWMARKET: 2.10 Sayidah Hard Spun, 2.45 Si Grass, 3.20 Silent Love, 4.00 Roman Centurion, 4.35 Moon Angel, 5.05 Night On Earth.

THIRSK: 1.38 Boston Dan, 2.15 Zeus Olympios, 2.50 Always A Star, 3.25 Circus Lion, 4.05 Dubai Beach, 4.40 Treble Tee, 5.15 Stormy Pearl, 5.50 Kiss Me My Love.

 DOUBLE: Goodie Two Shoes and Hammer The Hammer.