Who will follow in Field Of Gold's footsteps? Assessing the key contenders for the Solario Stakes

The BetMGM Solario Stakes (3.35) takes place at Sandown on Saturday and was won last year by the top-class Field Of Gold. Who will follow in his footsteps in the 7f Group 3? Here we profile the main contenders . . .

Publish

Looking to follow in Field Of Gold's footsteps for owner Juddmonte and trainers John and Thady Gosden, Publish arrives with a similar profile to last year's winner.

Also a son of Kingman, he was beaten first time out – although he finished a close second, whereas Field Of Gold was third – before stepping up his game to win his second start. His winning Racing Post Rating was 90, while Field Of Gold came here off the back of an RPR of 97 at Newmarket.

One advantage for Publish is that he is well acquainted with Sandown, having had both starts over this course and distance. He is set to be reunited with Juddmonte's retained jockey Colin Keane, who rode him on his debut but was suspended for the second run and replaced by James Doyle.

Publish15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Pacific Avenue

The second entry for Charlie Appleby, Pacific Avenue has had a ten-week break since his debut success in a 7f Newmarket novice.

He caused an upset on that occasion, scoring at 9-1 by a head from stablemate Wild Desert, who was sent off the 30-100 favourite.

The son of Dubawi adds to a strong hand for Appleby, who has won the Solario three times in the past eight years, most notably in 2017 with Derby winner Masar.

Pacific Avenue15:35 Sandown

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

He's Waliim

Trained by James Tate, He's Waliim proved his stamina on his debut with a six-length victory at Beverley in a 7½f maiden.

He earned an RPR of 95 for that clear-cut success, with only Zanthos managing to better that mark first time out among the Solario entries.

The son of Too Darn Hot made all the running at Beverley and jockey Clifford Lee is likely to want a good pace again.

He's Waliim15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Clifford Lee Tnr: James Tate

Humidity

Trained by Andrew Balding and owned by Wathnan Racing, Humidity won his first two starts but has to bounce back after hitting a stumbling block when seventh in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The son of Ulysses was the first of this field to make his debut, winning by a short head over 6f at Newbury in mid-May. He stepped up to Listed company at Royal Ascot in the Chesham Stakes over 7f on his second run and scored by a length from Thesecretadversary.

He ranks third on Racing Post Ratings in this field but has something to prove after going down by three and a half lengths in the Vintage behind Zavateri.

Humidity15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Tnr: Andrew Balding

Tipster's view

By Stuart Redding, tipster

The Gosdens won this with the top-class Field Of Gold last year and have another outstanding contender in Publish. He has produced two good efforts over this course and distance and was too strong for Catullus last time. The pair pulled clear of the rest and that rival boosted the form with an effortless win at Yarmouth recently. Pacific Avenue is another recent winner who is almost definitely better than he has shown so far.

Publish15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

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