St Leger hero Logician on the comeback trail but Al Aasy poses a stern test

Al Rayyan Stakes (Registered As The Aston Park Stakes) (Group 3) | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

A fascinating clash between up-and-coming Group 1 entry Al Aasy and 2019 St Leger winner Logician, who is on the comeback trail having finished last of four on the second of only two outings as a four-year-old last term.

The market favours the William Haggas-trained Al Aasy, who showed his wellbeing with a deeply impressive four and a half length success in the John Porter over course and distance last month, although the resulting penalty means he has to concede 3lb to a horse officially rated that much superior.

The form has taken a few knocks too, with half the field subsequently beaten out of sight by Albaflora in Listed company at Ascot last Saturday and two others finishing in the ruck behind Japan at Chester, but Al Aasy, who has a Coronation Cup entry at Epsom next month, could not have won with more in hand.

The four-year-old looked seriously promising on two occasions last year, when winning his novice and following up in the Bahrain Trophy, but he also ran well below form twice, including on his final start at Goodwood in July. Connections could offer no excuse for a tame last of six to Mogul in the Gordon Stakes.

However, he's back on song now, and those two 2020 successes came on easy ground, so any further rain is unlikely to bother him.

Logician's five-run unbeaten three-year-old campaign culminated in a commanding two-and-a-quarter-length victory from Sir Ron Priestley – developing into a top-class performer himself this season – but he was seriously ill with peritonitis over the winter and did not return until last September.

When he did, he was presented with just one vastly inferior rival, whom he saw off comfortably at odds of 1-12 at Doncaster, but then he trailed home last of four to Euchen Glen in a Group 3 at York.

That was on soft ground, which now joint-trainer John Gosden was inclined to blame and is a worry if rain arrives, although it wouldn't be a surprise if there was more to it.

Whatever the case, the son of Frankel surely has a stud career ahead of him, so the decision to bring him back as a five-year-old must be seen in a positive light, and he's most definitely the one to beat at the weights.

Of the rest, Thunderous took a step back in the right direction when third to Sir Ron Priestley at Newmarket two weeks ago, but Ranch Hand and Rainbow Dreamer are surely up against it at 1m4f on turf. Connections of Asiaaf will be hoping a couple fluff their lines badly to avoid finishing last.
Race analysis by Paul Kealy

Can Logician return to his best?

What a difference a year makes.

After his St Leger win in 2019 the intention last year was for Logician to try and step up in trip to become a Cup horse, or drop back to contest those prestigious mile and a half races not on Enable's route to Longchamp.

Illness very much interrupted his campaign and he was seen just twice, but the fact John Gosden wanted, and still wants, to persist with the now five-year-old is telling.

Logician: well-beaten fourth in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at York when last seenCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"He's on the comeback trail again and this looks a nice place to start him off," admitted the champion trainer, before adding: "But we just hope the ground isn't too soft."

And that is the long and the short of it. Officially Logician is rated 3lb Al Aasy's superior and he gets 3lb from that rival. If he is the force of old – and you would strongly suspect the Gosden and Juddmonte teams would not persist if they did not think there were Group 1s to be won – then it is his to lose. But he has it all to prove.

A well-beaten fourth the last time he was seen, in the restaged Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at York, cost him his unbeaten record and that aura of invincibility created when winning a very good renewal of the previous season's final Classic in authoritative fashion.

It was a performance that resulted in him being rated a major contender for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by bookmakers. He is with the right people to get him back, but that question mark is precisely what makes this such a fascinating contest as he will have to be close to his best to beat a horse of Al Aasy's class.

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Al Aasy
He has a penalty but if he's going to run in a Coronation Cup he has to be competitive in this. Some of his best form has been with some ease in the ground so hopefully he should handle it.

Harry Herbert, racing manager to Highclere, owners of Thunderous
He disappointed badly first time up, he'd been off a long time and really needed the race. He took a big step forward next time and Mark and Charlie [Johnston, trainer and assistant] believe he'll do so again. It's a track and ground that should really suit him but it's a tough race.

David Menuisier, trainer of Asiaaf
She was bought for a lot of money at the sales last year and the owners are very keen to try and get some black type. There weren't many horses entered so we thought we'd try our luck and see if we can sneak into a place.
Reporting by Stuart Riley

Read more of Saturday's previews:

'Palace Pier had not even run when the race was last staged in 2019'

Last call for John Leeper and Wordsworth to book their tickets to Epsom

3.35 Newbury: Find out what John Gosden has to say about Lockinge Stakes favourite Palace Pier

Why we could witness the greatest Lockinge winner since the mighty Frankel

1.50 Newbury: 'We wanted Ryan' - why Karl Burke favoured Newbury over Newmarket for Spycatcher

2.05 Newmarket: Is the hype about John Leeper justified? Tom Collins on a tricky Fairway Stakes

2.40 Newmarket: 'The bookmakers have it right' - exciting Bellosa tests Royal Ascot claims

3.00 Newbury: Another Al Kazeem or Defoe? Graeme Rodway on the London Gold Cup contenders