Lightly raced improvers or battle-hardened stayers: who will come out on top?

3.00 Newmarket
bet365 Trophy (Heritage Handicap) | 4yo+ | 1m6f | ITV3/RTV

This staying handicap is a fascinating clash between the battle-hardened performers and the lightly-raced improvers, so what type of horse has been most successful in recent runnings?

There are only three races on the record, but two winners could be categorised as improvers and even last year’s victor, the six-year-old Cape Coast, was lightly-raced for his age. Mark Johnston has trained the last two winners, with Charlie Appleby responsible for the other.

Appleby saddles one of the improvers in this year’s contest, Global Storm, who has recorded three consecutive career-best efforts judged on Racing Post Ratings and he came from further back than winner Amtiyaz when third in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot 24 days ago.

Global Storm is 2lb better off with the reopposing Amtiyaz at the weights, but the John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old is another lightly-raced improver who has recorded six consecutive career-bests.

He is up 4lb for his Royal Ascot win, though, so will need to take yet another step forward.

Johnston has three representatives but none could be considered improvers. Hochfeld, Themaxwecan and Watersmeet have a combined age of 22 and 121 races between them.

Mark Johnston: has won the last two runnings of the bet365 TrophyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hochfeld has held his form well this season, though, and finished only half a length behind Nicholas T in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time. He is just the type of battle-hardened Johnston performer who could prove hard to pass up the long straight.

Prince Alex is definitely an improver. He won five on the spin last season and recorded a career-high RPR when second to subsequent winner Nuits St Georges at Goodwood last time.

Prince Alex has won on good to firm but his best form is with cut, so some rain would suit.

The final word goes to Brian Meehan and Ryan Moore. They team up with Arthurian Fable and have joined forces for four winners from 13 runners (31 per cent) in the last five seasons.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Live Your Dream and Volcanic Sky
Live Your Dream won well at Wolverhampton last time and he has been working nicely on the Limekilns so should enjoy the ground. Volcanic Sky is also working nicely so we have two good chances.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Shadwell Estates, owners of Faylaq
He’s stepping up in trip but this looks the right spot for him and he’s a previous winner at the track so goes there with a good shout.

Adam Ryan, son of and assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Throne Hall
He's an improving horse this year. Things didn't quite go to plan at Ascot but it looks as though he wants this sort of trip and if he can bounce back to form he goes there with every chance.

Throne Hall: only tenth at Ascot last time but has been running consistently this seasonCredit: Mike Egerton (Getty Images)

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Amtiyaz
He was given a brilliant ride by Hollie Doyle to win at Royal Ascot when he enjoyed the quick ground and enjoyed being near the pace. As he’s drawn two he may well find himself up there again which should suit him.

George Boughey, trainer of Lostwithiel
Hollie Doyle got off him at Royal Ascot and said he didn’t stay two and a half miles there but will be a nice horse back in trip. It’s a tough race but I expect him to run well at a track that should suit him.

Shaun Lycett, trainer of Torcello
I want to run him as he was balloted out of the Old Newton Cup but I just wish they were getting the rain that everywhere else is getting as soft ground is crucial to him.

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