Tough Roserow ready to take the Coral Challenge

The chestnut son of Beat Hollow had to be driven out to get the better of Tiger’s Tale at the start of last month. He was allowed to start at 11-1 on his most recent visit to the Esher course but put those battling qualities to good use and followed up under a 5lb penalty.

He beat a couple of well-fancied rivals in Danchai (2nd) and Ashaadd (6th) so the form looks solid. Both could reoppose on Saturday along with Gaul Wood (3rd) and Trader Jack (5th). Both of Roserow’s recent victories came over the same distance as Saturday’s race and Jimmy Fortune is expected to take the ride.

The ante-post favourite is Richard Hannon’s Wentworth who was gambled on to win the ultra-competitive Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. He was bidding to make amends for an unlucky run at Goodwood previously but again encountered traffic problems before flashing home in fourth.

Mick de Kock could run David Livingston who ran a fine race when fifth in the Royal Hunt Cup. The colt finished in front of the nearside group but was unable to catch Belgian Bill on the far side.

Prince Of Johanne is another who was beaten by the draw in the Hunt Cup, his rider taking him across from the favoured far side and ultimately forfeiting any chance of winning. Captain Bertie and Directorship also faced impossible tasks that day and can be expected to perform better if turning out this weekend.

Luca Cumani could be represented by Rockalong who was just touched off by Godolphin’s Asatir at Salisbury last week. There was only a head between the two that day with Asatir holding on tenaciously. Danchai’s trainer William Haggas also has Fehyardi and Fury entered for this valuable prize.

Mark Johnston’s stable appears to be coming into form nicely and Windhoek may be the pick of his four entries. The colt has been pitched in against the top middle-distance three-year-olds in the Dante and at Ascot and has run respectably.