Perfect Power renews rivalry with familiar foes in top-class Middle Park

Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) | 6f | 2yo | ITV4/RTV

Perfect Power propelled himself to the top of the juvenile sprint standings after an impressive Prix Morny victory at Deauville last month, achieving an RPR of 115 with a length-and-a-quarter success over Trident.

The Richard Fahey-trained two-year-old proved his capabilities early this season with 5f victories at Hamilton and Royal Ascot, the latter coming in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes. Although he was helped by a high draw, therefore being able to challenge against the favoured stands' side rail, Perfect Power's victory over Go Bears Go was no fluke.

It is totally feasible to suggest that he should be entering the Middle Park off the back of four consecutive victories given he did plenty wrong when failing to handle Goodwood at the Glorious meeting. If that was the case, he would be an even-money shot.

Although the Morny form has not exactly worked out – Trident finished second here in a Group 3 earlier in the week – and he faces far quicker underfoot conditions, Perfect Power is undoubtedly the horse to beat under Christophe Soumillon.

Asymmetric, who beat Perfect Power at Goodwood, did not get the best of luck-in-running in the rematch at Deauville and may not have as much as the 5lb difference on ratings suggests. Yet to hit his peak, he might be the best of the British challenge away from the favourite.

The Railway Stakes form will be truly tested, with winner Go Bears Go facing off against runner-up Castle Star and fourth Dr Zempf once again.

Pricing the race up on potential, it is no surprise that Dr Zempf is the shortest price of the trio despite crossing the line behind his two reopposing rivals. His recent second in the Phoenix behind Ebro River was a big career-best and Ger Lyons has targeted this race since. There seems to be little reasoning why Castle Star would reverse the form with Go Bears Go, though.

Of those at bigger prices, HMS Endeavour is the colt that stands out. Perhaps the best-bred horse in the race being by War Front out of US champion Lady Eli, HMS Endeavour is yet to compete at Group level but asserted his authority at Dundalk last time and looks on a stiff upward trajectory.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

'Go Bears Go is as good as any of them'

Trainer Dave Loughnane is confident Go Bears Go is more than capable of making an impression at the top level as Amo Racing's Group 2 winner renews his rivalry with Perfect Power.

The two-year-old, who won the Railway Stakes at the Curragh, was narrowly denied by Perfect Power at Royal Ascot and was last seen finishing third behind Ebro River on his first try in Group 1 company in the Phoenix Stakes.

Go Bears Go: winner of the Railway Stakes under Rossa Ryan in JuneCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's in a very good place mentally and physically," said Loughnane, who won the Rockfel with Hello You on Friday. "It's a very competitive race and he's facing Perfect Power again, but on his day I think he's as good as any of them.

"I'm hopeful he can reverse the form and I've always thought he'd have beaten Perfect Power at Royal Ascot if he was drawn on the same side, though I take nothing away from the winner, who has obviously improved again since. Go Bears Go is a Group 1 horse and deserves to win one of these big races."

What they say

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Castle Star
He's in good order and we always had this race in mind after the Phoenix Stakes. He doesn't have a huge amount to find on form.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of HMS Endeavour and New York City
HMS Endeavour is improving with every run. He got a little bump coming out of the stalls last time and it just unnerved him, but he finished well. New York City improved nicely from his first run to his second. We think and hope he can come forward again.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Twilight Jet
It was a super run last time at Doncaster in a tactical Champagne Stakes. I wanted to try him over that trip because he'd been coming home well over a furlong shorter, but dropping back to six furlongs will suit him. He had a temperature after his run in the Phoenix Stakes and went to the Gimcrack about 95 per cent right but put up a huge run. His last start was the best of his life.

Alan King, trainer of Asymmetric
He ran really well in the Prix Morny and came out of the race well. He's got form on slow ground but Martin [Harley, jockey] is convinced he wants fast ground, so the conditions should suit.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Superlative Stakes form gets tested as Masekela lines up in the Royal Lodge

2.25 Newmarket: 'I wouldn't change her for anything' – key quotes for the Cheveley Park Stakes

2.30 Curragh: exciting O'Brien juvenile Luxembourg set to show star promise in Beresford test

3.40 Newmarket: 'This has been his target' – Thady Gosden on yard's leading Cambridgeshire hopes

4.10 Curragh: Art Power bids for another lucrative Irish raid in Group 3 Renaissance Stakes

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