Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes Betting tips

The Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes has been a race of mixed fortunes in recent years, in terms of the class of horse it has thrown up. Looking at this year's renewal, it's unlikely that it will produced many clues with regard to the 2007 1,000 Guineas, but it does look like a good race and worthy of its Group 2 standard. Scarlet Runner comes into the race on the back of a commanding performance when proving half-a-length too strong for Vital Statistics in the Princess Margaret Stakes on good to firm going on Diamond Day at Ascot, a race which three winners of this in the last decade have landed en route. However, I reckon that the fourth home in the Princess Margaret, Indian Ink, can reverse the placings on this occasion. The Richard Hannon-trained filly, a 4/1 chance with Betfred, was ridden with restraint at Ascot and kept on without ever looking likely to score in the final furlong, although she was only beaten under a length in the end. On her penultimate start she was most impressive when making all to beat Naayla by two and a half lengths in a six-furlong Newbury maiden on good ground. It's likely that Richard Hughes will revert to those tactics for this contest and, with the good to soft going sure to suit on account of both her action and her pedigree, the daughter of Indian Ridge can burn her rivals off. Scarlet Runner's pedigree also suggests that she should handle cut in the ground. The only time she has encountered such a surface was when a well-held eighth of 12 behind Bicoastal on her debut at Newmarket in May. However, John Dunlop's juveniles invariably need a run or two before reaching concert pitch, so I wouldn't take that as an indication that she doesn't act on an easy surface. She is clearly the main danger to the selection. Silk Blossom is better than she showed when finishing about seven lengths sixth to Sander Camillo in the Cherry Hinton at Newmarket last time. She met with traffic problems and kept on close home without being knocked about there and is well worth another chance. Like many here, her ability to handle underfoot conditions has to be taken on trust, but she will be a leading player if she does. Best of the rest is without a doubt Andrew Balding's charge, Siren's Gift. She ran a cracking race when fourth to Enticing in a well-contested Group 3 over five furlongs at Glorious Goodwood. But she was withdrawn at Newbury on Saturday on account of the ground, which suggests that connections are concerned that she won't act on an easy surface. Verdict - 1pt Indian Ink @ 4/1 (Betfred)