Top weight Astro' should be the ace for Perrett

The media-shy Perrett's horses are rarely discussed, but she has a very useful animal with which to go to war on the first day of the Glorious meeting.

Astronereus is burdened with top weight in this staying handicap over a mile and three-quarters but that should not put anyone off as he looks a horse going places in a bit of a rush.

Chief cause for optimism can be derived from his victory in the Listed Silver Cup at York, where he really caught the eye on his first stab over this sort of trip.

Astronereus showed grit when it mattered on the Knavesmire to account for the likeable Dashing Star by a length and a quarter.

Before that he had won a valuable Newmarket handicap with a degree of authority, after which he finished third in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, so the form is there for all to see.

The handicapper has since intervened, but not excessively enough to suggest he will be hamstrung by his new weight on the Downs.

At this stage, he looks an ideal type for Ebor but should be fully fired up for this assignment, especially with conditions looking just about ideal if the forecast for showers is correct. It could be a really satisfying day for Perrett as stablemate CZECH IT OUT should also go well at the summit of the weights for the Turf Club Stakes.

This five-year-old gelding shone brightly over seven furlongs at Goodwood on his last start in May and it is interesting to see connections eschew a few other possible races this week in favour of this contest.

BIRCHWOOD appeals as a potential starlet in the Qatar Vintage Stakes.

Even in spite of a penalty for winning the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, Richard Fahey's youngster can be trusted to uphold that excellent form with the runner-up that day, Air Vice Marshal.

This looks a typically hot renewal, but this two-year-old son of Dark Angel appears every inch a Group One campaigner, with his only blot on an otherwise exemplary CV coming on easy ground at Naas in June.

The Group Two Qatar Lennox Stakes looks an open race, but it could pay to side with DUTCH CONNECTION.

Charlie Hills' colt broke his maiden at Goodwood, which is, of course, reassuring, but this summer he has shown even greater levels of strength and maturity.

A brilliant winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, his half-length second behind 2000 Guineas runner-up Territories in the Prix Jean Prat was another huge leap in the right direction.