'Everything looks in his favour' - expert analysis and trainer quotes for an ultra-competitive Group 2 Joel Stakes

This has the potential to be one of the most informative runnings of the Joel Stakes for some time. While big names have won the race, they have generally been on a mission to repair their reputation, or prepare for some target abroad deep into autumn. This year's field of six contains four three-year-olds, a four-time-raced four-year-old, and Poker Face.

The last-mentioned is the place to start as he is your typical Joel Stakes runner. He had an excellent autumn last year, winning the Prix Daniel Wildenstein around this time, and has operated just below Group 1 level in 2024. A return to last year's form would make him the one to beat, but the market has yet to show much faith in him getting back to that level, which he last showed when second to Charyn at Sandown in April.

Poker Face was beaten in the Group 2 Celebration Mile two starts ago, by the reopposing Ice Max, who was himself delivering belatedly on spring promise. He had looked Group race-bound since winning at Musselburgh but took three runs to make it stick. Whether he takes this opportunity to kick on will be the question once again.

The other three-year-olds all ran in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood. Plenty of winners of that are sent to the Joel, more than take the more obvious route to Group 2s in the Celebration back at Goodwood.

Lead Artist won the Thoroughbred and has already set about firming himself up as a Group 2 horse. He chased home Kinross in the Park Stakes at Doncaster last time, having shaped as more superior than the result at Goodwood. Task Force and Dancing Gemini have no obvious means to turn around the form.

The final runner is Prague, the least exposed of the lot. He sprang a surprise on debut and has been comfortable in smart company since. A half-length second in Haydock's Superior Mile three weeks ago went a long way to securing his future in Group races and he has obvious potential to progress. Given Prague made his debut in mid-June, a couple of his rivals are recovering reputations which are older than his career.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

Prague: biding to become Dylan Cunha's first Group 2 winner in BritainCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

'Everything in favour' for huge run for Prague - Cunha

Dylan Cunha hopes it could be a defining weekend in his training career as he bids for his first Group-race success in Britain with Prague.

A winner at the highest level in his native South Africa, Cunha has established himself since his first British runners in 2022 and is enjoying a career-best campaign with 26 winners.

Before Silver Sword bids for victory in Saturday's bet365 Cambridgeshire, Cunha has a crack at a breakthrough British Group 2 triumph with the lightly raced four-year-old, who finished second in a Haydock Group 3 last time.

He said: "Prague's in good form and will like the softer ground if they get the rain they could have overnight. It looks like everything could be going in his favour for a big run.

"He was an unlucky second last time and I felt he should have won, but he's still on the up. He has to give weight to the three-year-olds, but he worked on the gallop neighbouring the track last week and the course should suit. He should go well."

What they say

Simon Crisford, joint-trainer of Poker Face
He's come out of his race in Ireland very well and if there's plenty of rain it'll suit him. He's in good heart.

Clifford Lee, rider of Ice Max
I'm really looking forward to getting back on him after his win at Goodwood and hopefully the ground will go in his favour again. I'm not sure how much a straight mile will suit, so hopefully they go a strong gallop.

Roger Teal, trainer of Dancing Gemini
He's had a bit of a break since running at Glorious Goodwood. He was too keen that day, and I think the heat may have got to him. We've freshened him up since.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Lead Artist
He's improved every start and last time at Doncaster he ran a very solid race to be second to Kinross, over a slightly sharper trip than ideal. He's been in good order since and he's back up to a mile, although we'll be watching how much rain arrives through the night.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for Juddmonte, owners of Task Force
He's been freshened up since York last month and Ralph Beckett has thought his work since has been good. Like our other runner Lead Artist he wouldn't want too much rain.
Reporting by Matt Rennie