Weekender returns to action in competitive-looking Sagaro Stakes

3.25 Ascot
Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) | 2m | 4yo+ | SKY

Key horses and questions

Can Weekender open Group-race account?

Weekender, who was gelded over the winter, boasts some useful form in Group company last season but didn't manage to get his head in front and a first win at this level is surely not far away.

Third to Magic Circle in Sandown's Group 3 Henry II Stakes in May last year, Weekender went on to fill the same berth behind Flag Of Honour in the Irish St Leger.

Both those pieces of form give him a leading chance in this seven-runner line-up, and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to the five-year-old’s owner Khalid Abdullah, said: “He’s a nice, scopey horse. We were hoping to go to Dubai with him until he got a little injury just before he was due to ship.

“He ran well all last season, including when humping a huge weight to second place in the Ebor – that was a fantastic run.

“He didn’t act on soft ground at Newbury on his final start last year. Ascot is the start of the road, which we hope leads to the Lonsdale Stakes at York.”

Will Cup campaign see Dee Ex Bee thrive?

Last year's Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee, who almost exclusively competed in Group 1 company afterwards, looks just the type to make up into a talented stayer this summer.

Connections were disappointed that the son of Farhh failed to get into the winner’s enclosure during an eight-race campaign, but it could be a different story this year if staying proves to be Dee Ex Bee’s game.

Dee Ex Bee: returns to action for Mark JohnstonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father Mark, who trains Dee Ex Bee, said: “He finished second in the Derby and fourth in the Leger last year, but we always felt he could improve for going further. It’s not guaranteed that he’ll stay, but we plan to campaign him as a Cup horse this year.

“As Stradivarius has shown, you need a combination of class and stamina to excel in those type of races. The Sagaro looks the right starting point.”

Can Verdana transfer her form to the Flat?

Verdana Blue, who unleashed a sparkling turn of foot to land Ayr’s Scottish Champion Hurdle on her latest start, has plenty to find on ratings but Nicky Henderson does so well with this type of stayer that it would be foolish to ignore the mare.

Verdana Blue: winner of the Scottish Champion HurdleCredit: John Grossick

“We’ll see if we can get her Group-placed,” he said. “She’s enjoyed a wonderful year and will hopefully have a holiday soon.

"She has a lot to find on ratings but was absolutely fantastic in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last time.”

Does Amazing Red have what it takes?

Amazing Red has run in handicaps since winning his maiden in 2016, except for when finishing runner-up in the Listed Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham last time out.

Trainer Ed Dunlop steps him up in class again and said: "He ran very well at Nottingham last time. He's not the biggest of horses to be carrying big weights in handicaps so we thought we’d take our chance in this race. He has a bit to find on the book but is in good form."

Amazing Red: steps up from handicap companyCredit: Mark Cranham

The Richard Hannon-trained duo Danehill Kodiac and Raymond Tusk, and the Andrew Balding-trained Cleonte complete the line-up.

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