Joseph O'Brien contender stands out if the rain doesn't arrive for a high-class renewal of Listed staying test

This is a very high-class Listed staying event with eight of the ten participants rated 100 or more. That makes it a difficult contest to pinpoint a selection but slight preference is for Goodie Two Shoes who relished the step up to 1m6f at Gowran last time to secure her first Stakes success,

A typically versatile performer for connections, she has not scaled dizzy heights over obstacles but has excelled on the Flat, landing four of her eight starts and has improved with every step up in trip.

The six-year-old ran a fine race when third at Cork last month to an exciting rival in Bubble Gum and stepped forward from that to bolt up at Gowran last time over the longest distance she has yet faced. That was a strongly run race and she thrived in such circumstances, coming through to win by six lengths.

Goodie Two Shoes will love this trip and rates the each-way selection on decent going but if the course receives the 12-14mm of rain forecast, enthusiasm will be severely tempered.

In that scenario, it might pay to side with Dallas Star, who ran as well as could be expected when a length and a half behind Kyprios last time. The trip is an unknown but he seemed to stay 1m6f well and has form in testing ground, with his Ballysax win last year coming on heavy.

Poetic Sound handles soft ground and ran well to finish third in the Vintage Crop last time, albeit he was well positioned. He could be thereabouts but needs to improve based on his Navan run the time before.

Samui tops the ratings and has been in decent form over hurdles in the spring. He has some excellent Flat form and was a very good third in the Chester Stakes last year but will probably improve for the run and doesn't want rain.

In contrast, La Isla Mujeres does want rain and beat the reopposing Cristal Clere easily in the Lenebane Stakes last year. The ground at Cork on her final start was probably too quick and she has a big chance if ready to rock on her return, while the Paddy Twomey stable continues in phenomenal form.

Samui: top-rated in good form and Ascot-boundCredit: Patrick McCann

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Samui
He's in good form and Royal Ascot is the plan.

Adrian Murray, trainer of Dallas Star
It was a fantastic run in the Saval Beg behind Kyprios and we think the step up to two miles will suit. After he won at Dundalk on his return, we were keen to try a mile and six at some stage and he got it very well last time so we're looking forward to stepping him up again.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Goodie Two Shoes
She's coming off the back of a real good run at Gowran. She should handle the extra distance and is in good form but we wouldn't want too much rain.

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