Key horses and quotes: Johnston out for more Joy in final-day curtain-raiser

Chesham Stakes | Listed | 7f | 2yo colts and fillies | ITV/RUK

Mark Johnston fields three runners in a bid to win the opener for a record-equalling fourth time, a feat he went close to achieving a year ago when the classy Nyaleti finished runner-up to September.

Chief hope from the Middleham outfit this time around is impressive Goodwood winner Natalie's Joy, who routed the opposition by six lengths on her introduction that day and has since been bought into by US owners Merriebelle Stable.

The daughter of Lope De Vega was not stopping over six furlongs on that occasion and could be even more potent over this extra furlong.

Of those in behind that day, runner-up Swift And Sure has since filled a similar placing at Bath, so the form has a solid look to it.

Johnston said: "I thought Natalie's Joy would run a nice race at Goodwood but to win as she did was very pleasing and she has been in good order since. She's bred to be better over seven furlongs so we're hopeful she can follow it up."

Although only two fillies have won this event in the last ten years, the females look to have a strong hand and Johnston bolsters the line-up with New Winds and Aussie View.

"New Winds disappointed on extreme ground at Doncaster so it was nice to see her bounce back on a better surface last time," Johnston said. "Aussie View has a bit to find with the other two but won well at Doncaster recently and is bred for the trip."

Italian job

It is appropriate Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni is riding San Denato as Roger Varian's hopeful is named after a commune on the outskirts of Milan.

The son of Lope De Vega may have finished in a different parish to fellow newcomer Legends Of War in a new Royal Ascot prep race at Yarmouth last month but has impressed at home since.

A flashy type, San Denato is a strong sort who cost 500,000gns as a yearling and is out to give trainer and rider their first taste of success in the Listed contest.

Varian said: "San Donato made a promising start in a warm Yarmouth novice and looks to have stepped forward in his homework since. I think the extra furlong will suit him, he'll have no issues with the ground and I hope he is a nice colt in the making."

Three and easy?

Aidan O'Brien is on a hat-trick after short-priced pair Churchill (2016) and September (2017) obliged, but the Ballydoyle master saddles a lower-key representative this time round in the shape of twice-raced maiden Cardini.

Placed eighth and later fifth over six furlongs at the Curragh, the colt may do better over this trip as he is a son of Magician, who finished runner-up in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at this fixture in 2014.

O'Brien said: "He's been a bit slow to learn and was very green on his debut and again on his second start. He's a colt we've always liked and we think he has come forward nicely since his last run."

What the rest say

Jack Channon, assistant to Mick Channon, trainer of Azor Ahai
He won well at Ripon last time and has come out of that run particularly well. The front two were a long way clear that day and the trip is going to suit him. He'll stay well.

Archie Watson, trainer of Nate The Great
He's a lovely horse. He needed seven furlongs already and that's why we took him to Carlisle for a stiff six and he won really well that day. The step up in trip will definitely suit him and I think he can run a very nice race.

Con Marnane, co-owner of On A Session
He's certainly very well named and it's great he qualifies for the Chesham. His mother was very good but nobody wanted him in the Doncaster breeze-ups.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Beyond Reason
Beyond Reason progressed from her first run when winning nicely at Kempton. She's come out of her last run well and we feel the step up in trip will hopefully bring about further improvement and make her competitive.

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