Excellent Guest back to his best trip in Bunbury Cup

The 32Red Bunbury Cup at 3.15 has attracted a strong field headed by Royal Hunt Cup winner Belgian Bill. Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride George Baker’s five-year-old who is reopposed by several of his Ascot victims.

Among them is George Margarson’s Excellent Guest, the winner of the seven-furlong Victoria Cup at Ascot earlier in the season. This race should suit the gelding far more than the mile of the Hunt Cup in which he eventually finished ninth.

Jamie Osborne’s Field Of Dream was the subject of a huge gamble in that race but could do no better than sixth. That was still a good run and the bookmakers will not be taking any chances with his price in this race with another bold show expected.

Mark Johnston’s Es Que Love is another specialist seven-furlong performer who was fifth at Ascot and ran an excellent race at Sandown last weekend. He was just caught by Prince Of Johanne over the mile there and can be expected to be up with the pace.

Bertiewhittle was second to Excellent Guest in the Victoria Cup and there is little between the pair at the weights. He had no chance against Diescentric at Newcastle last time but finished a respectable second and Richard Hughes takes the ride here.

Irish raider Burn The Boats is an interesting contender having landed a gamble at the Curragh over six furlongs in the Paddy Power Sprint. He had previously run over a mile so this trip should suit him nicely and he must rate a danger.

Dance And Dance was fancied for the Hunt Cup but was balloted out and did not show much sparkle last time. Brae Hill won this race last year by racing alone up the stands rail. Christophe Soumillon has been booked to ride for the in-form Richard Fahey stable.

Godolphin’s My Freedom and James Fanshawe’s Emilio Largo are others to consider in a typically competitive renewal of this high class handicap.