Can Whistlejacket tough it out this time? Key analysis and quotes for the Middle Park Stakes

We have been here before with Whistlejacket. He is all the rage in yet another big-race market despite three of his six runs resulting in defeats at odds of even-money or shorter. Similar prices are available in his latest assignment as, realistically, this is among the weakest Middle Park fields in memory.

Whistlejacket is the only runner to have contested a Group 1, let alone won one. He earned that highest-level victory in the Prix Morny at the expense of two rivals in Rashabar and Daylight who found greater in-running trouble than he did when making every yard.

We should at least praise Whistlejacket for his constitution. Eight days earlier this precocious juvenile went down fighting behind Cheveley Park favourite Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes. Seeing how she fares in the fillies’ equivalent 35 minutes earlier, and indeed Daylight, will provide us with valuable gauges to both formlines.

Defence Minister and Shadow Of Light missed last Saturday’s Mill Reef Stakes owing to deteriorating ground conditions. Their connections would have cursed the recent weather. As surely would those associated with Richmond Stakes winner Black Forza, who found things happening too quickly in a lucrative Kentucky Downs Listed prize on his previous start.

Maiden winners Dash Dizzy and Jouncy have even more on their plates to prevent another Ballydoyle domination.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Battle-hardened favourite 'has form on soft'

In these extreme conditions you need a tough and resolute two-year-old with plenty of experience – step forward Whistlejacket.

Having been sent off favourite in all six of his starts, Whistlejacket clearly has a massive reputation at Ballydoyle and he showed substance to go with his style when bouncing back from defeat to Cheveley Park favourite Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes to win the Prix Morny just eight days later.

That Deauville race has turned into a key pointer as nine winners have gone on to bring up a Group 1 double here in the last 18 years.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Whistlejacket has form on soft ground so we'll see how he gets on. We were delighted with him in the Prix Morny the last day and he seems to be in good form since."

O'Brien is likely to rely solely on Whistlejacket for a record-extending eighth victory in the Middle Park, with stablemate Ides Of March set to be withdrawn due to the ground.

Pedigree pointer

Shadow Of Light, who lost his unbeaten record when second in the Gimcrack last month, certainly has the right pedigree for this race.

A three-parts brother to 2019 Middle Park winner Earthlight, the Lope De Vega colt has raced on good ground on all three of his starts and missed last Saturday's Mill Reef Stakes due to the testing conditions

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Shadow Of Light was an intended runner at Newbury last week but we gave that a swerve after the ground turned heavy.

"Conditions could be on the slower side again here, although a bit of ease wouldn't be a concern. He has come forward since York and should be a contender at this level."

What they say

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, owners of Defence Minister
We'd be very concerned about the ground and he's not a definite runner. We'll leave a decision late.

Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte, owners of Jouncy
He's a big outsider, but shows a lot of talent at home. He's lazy, that's the reason he wears headgear, and the ground is an unknown.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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