3:35 – Newmarket – JOHN SUNLEY MEMORIAL CRITERION STAKES (GROUP 3) (CLASS 1) (3yo+) Good 7f
In what is a very competitive renewal of the Criterion Stakes, last year’s winner Libranno is taken to win again after he came back into form at Salisbury last time out by winning the Listed Cathedral Stakes. The 4 year old bay colt has got plenty of class and goes really well on the July course at Newmarket.
Libranno made a winning debut at as 2 year old at Newmarket, on the Round course in May 2010 in a Class 4 Maiden Stakes. He has run 18 times since then and has races exclusively in Group and Listed races. Of the 18 Stakes races he has contented he has won 5 times, twice at Group 2, twice in Group 3 and once at Listed level which was his last start at Salisbury.
He has run on the July course at Newmarket three times and has won twice, once over today’s trip which was when he won this race last year. His other run over 6 furlongs on the July course was in the Group 1 Darley Cup when he finished 4th. He has run over 6 furlongs 12 times in his career and he has won four times and been placed twice.
Libranno is effective in Good ground having won four times from 7 starts in the going. If the ground dries out this should not inconvenience him as he has also won in Good to Firm going. He is ridden by Richard Hughes who has won on him three times from eight runs, including his Listed win at Salisbury last time out.
Now back in form on a track he goes well at, in going which suits him Libranno should go well again today. He won this race last season and is entered in the July Cup again this year. He has some strong competition this afternoon but he is running over his best trip and runs without a penalty for his two Group 3 successes last year and has plenty of winning form in this class.
