Plan B could prove worth the wait for late Ascot absentee Tabdeed

Wednesday: 7.00 Kempton
ebfstallions.com Conditions Stakes | 6f | 3yo+ | RTV

The Owen Burrows-trained Tabdeed is dropping in class, having finished second in Listed company at York last month. The six-year-old is upwards of 5lb clear of this field on the book, and is 5-12 over this 6f trip.

The son of Havana Gold is yet to race on Polytrack, but registered an RPR of 110 (only 5lb lower than his best career RPR) when a close fourth in Group 3 company on Newcastle's Tapeta surface in June. A reproduction of that effort would be hard to beat on these favourable terms, and Burrows trained the winner of this race through Enjazaat in 2019.

Four of the previous seven winners of this race since 2014 had already won over this course-and-distance, and the Keith Dalgleish-trained Soldier's Minute is the only such runner in the line up.

Royal Crusade shaped well over 5f at Haydock last month, and is a significant player on this return to 6f, on his all-weather debut.

Three-year-olds are 1-8 with one other placed in this race since 2014, but Stylish Performer is 4-7 on artificial surfaces and progressing well.

Bahrain Pride was a talented juvenile and returns from a 362-day break wearing a tongue-strap and following a breathing operation so there are reasons for optimism.
Race analysis by Dave Randall

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Stylish Performer
He has a bit to do on the ratings but it was either this or carry big weights in handicaps which doesn't suit him as he's not very big. He's in the horses-in-training sales at the end of the month so hopefully can run a nice race.

Rab Havlin, rider of Live In The Moment
He's run a couple of decent races over five and five and half furlongs and shapes as if this trip will suit him. His rating is up to 101 now so he has to mix it at this level and I think the long term plan is to send him to the Dubai Carnival

Owen Burrows, trainer of Tabdeed
He was all set to run in the Bengough Stakes at Ascot last Saturday until the heavens opened which was a shame as we thought he'd run well. As he doesn't like soft ground, we had this as a plan B. He's never won on Polytrack but has plenty of experience of it at home and hopefully he can win as he's in the horses-in-training sales at the end of the month. The ideal would be that someone may buy him and send him back to us.

Ed Crisford, joint trainer of Bahrain Pride
He's had a long time off and has had a number of issues. It's good to get him back on track. He's fit enough to run a nice race but will improve from it.
Reporting by David Milnes

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