Pearl Secret can stake step into Listed company in his stride

The three-year-old will be trying to keep his 100 per cent record intact as he has a first crack at Listed company in this five-furlong test.

David Barron has taken a patient approach so far with this July Cup entry, restricting him to just one juvenile outing which he duly won in style at York last October.

There were three subsequent winners in behind that day and the word was obviously out on his reappearance as Pearl Secret was really well backed to triumph at Doncaster and did so in a deeply impressive manner. That win came on heavy ground but he showed his versatility when winning in quicker conditions back at York in slightly better company.

Pearl Secret picked up in the style of a really good colt that day and his Group One engagement in the July Cup gives an indication of the regard he is held in at home.

Sam Sharp merits an interest in the Betfred The Bonus King Handicap after a luckless run at Newbury (2.50). He has claimed second place in both his starts this term, most recently when left too much to do and meeting trouble in Berkshire.

Sam Sharp probably needed the run when beaten at Sandown on his return and the prospect of testing ground would hold little fear for this gelding.

Three Am Tour can give the Richard Hannon team a nice boost ahead of Ascot by claiming York’s Bond Tyres Trophy (3.10). While her bare statistics of one win in six starts hardly set the world alight, Three Am Tour comes into this race with plenty of experience yet still on a fair mark. A winner on her debut at Wolverhampton last September, she then stepped up in class to finish a fine fourth in a seven-furlong sales race on soft ground at Fairyhouse.