Century Dream and Top Rank clash again with new jockeys in Summer Mile

3.00 Ascot
Betfred Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2) | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

It’s on busy days like this when jockey bookings can prove particularly significant. Top-class racing at Newmarket, York and Ascot means many of the leading riders will have had the choice to go to any of the three meetings and they will have followed their best chances.

Take Jamie Spencer as an example. He was in fantastic form at Doncaster on Thursday and was at York on Friday. He could have stayed on the Knavesmire for another strong book of rides on Saturday, but he returns south instead and partners Century Dream in this.

Century Dream has had 31 starts, but Spencer hasn’t ridden on any of those occasions and he will be having his first spin on the seven-year-old, who is a plum spare for Simon and Ed Crisford. It will be only the second time Spencer has ridden for the new training partnership.

Century Dream was a length and a half ahead of Top Rank when they met in the Midsummer Stakes at Windsor, but Top Rank was conceding him 5lb that day and it’s level weights here.

Top Rank should be well suited by easy conditions and Luke Morris is another interesting booking. He has ridden Top Rank before, but not since his debut at Lingfield back in 2018.

Kieran Shoemark will have his first ride on Tilsit and he takes over from Vincent Cheminaud, who partnered the four-year-old to finish a head second behind Skalleti in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp in May. Tilsit achieved a Racing Post Rating of 116 on that occasion and that equals the median RPR of all winners of Group 2 races in Britain and Ireland since 2008.

Top Rank also hit that mark last time and so did Sir Busker, so this is a strong Group 2.

Sir Busker achieved his 116 when just two and a half lengths behind Palace Pier in the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile here last month, so will he be as effective around a bend?

Three of his four highest RPRs have been achieved on straight tracks and two have come at this venue, but his equal best figure came over the round mile at York last year. That is a left-handed bend and he goes the other way here, but he seems versatile enough to cope.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Abdulla Belhabb, owner of Century Dream
He's going good and loves it soft, so the softer the better. He runs well at Ascot – he's been third in a Queen Elizabeth II and fourth in a Queen Anne – so should have a decent chance, especially if the ground is on the easy side.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power, owners of Happy Power
His best trip is seven furlongs but there's not many options for him until the Lennox Stakes. He ran well in the Diamond Jubilee and is a tough consistent horse, so he should be thereabouts.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Haqeeqy
Things didn't pan out for him at Royal Ascot and he's better than that. He should enjoy the round track better than the straight. He's up in class, but he's been in good form at home lately.

William Knight, trainer of Sir Busker
He’s a star – the flagbearer for the yard. Every trainer needs this sort of horse. It would be lovely if he could get his head back in front at Ascot. He’s been running so well in good company. This does look a good opportunity for him. He’s got a good draw, and we’ll look to keep it simple.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Tilsit
We’ve been pleased with him. The forecast looks pretty dry, so hopefully the ground will dry up a little bit. He should have a solid chance.

James Tate, trainer of Top Rank
He’s been running well all season. A bit of rain that’s forecast won’t do him any harm. A mile around a bend is fine for him and he was conceding Century Dream 5lb when beaten by him at Windsor – they’re off level weights this time. A Group 2 win would certainly be nice. All being well, he’s got to be bang there.

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