Two horses to note on Friday based on Thursday's lessons

Pablo Escobarr
King Edward VII Stakes, 3.05

Frankie Dettori's remarkable Thursday made the headline-writers' jobs easy and from an analytical point of view its teachings were hardly any less clear. On the round course at Ascot, particularly when the ground is on the slow side, it is crucial to have your horse in the right place.

It is no great stretch to say that much of the difference between Star Catcher and Fleeting, or Stradivarius and Cross Counter 35 minutes later, were the respective positions held through the race. Never too far back nor forced too wide, Dettori gave both mounts an extra edge.

Dettori's ride in the King Edward VII is Private Secretary, who has been ridden both ways in his short career and it will be interesting to see how his rider plays it. Incidentally, he is by Kingman and Hampton Court winner Sangarius underlined on Thursday that not all of his progeny are speed horses.

There is greater certainty about how Pablo Escobarr will be ridden. He has sat right on the speed on each of his last three starts and it has worked out well for him, given that last time he found only subsequent Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck too strong at Lingfield.

He also comes here fresher than most of the other marker principals, who mostly ran in the Derby or that same week.

Desirous
Sandringham Stakes, 5.00

A dramatic Britannia Stakes perhaps gave final confirmation that the stands' side is being preferred this week, with most riders choosing it and the finish dominated by those drawn high (though Awe, drawn in five, snuck into the places).

So much is largely allowed for in the prices for the Sandringham, a big-field mile race for three-year-old fillies. Hotsy Totsy is favourite for last year's winning team of Ed Walker and Jamie Spencer, but the Britannia also gave a reminder that races on the straight mile take plenty of getting and are never settled until the line.

The better option could be Desirous, who represents the same connections as Britannia winner Biometric. She is drawn in stall 25, has improved by the run (apart from when breaking her maiden at odds on) and is bred to be a black-type miler. By Kingman, her dam Emulous won the Group 1 Matron Stakes in 2011.

She was a taking winner at Goodwood on her reappearance and first run at a mile and is near certain to come on for that, both in terms of experience (she had run mostly on flat tracks at two) and fitness. She should certainly end up better than a mark of 88.

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