Your favourite Uncle Smart Arse tells you everything you need to know about the Rowley Mile, but were afraid to ask.
One of racing's great myths (probably perpetrated by people who just watch the race from the Stand, and see them racing into the dip then meet the rising ground, and have never actually walked the course) is that the Rowley Mile is a stiff mile.
It isn't.
It's gently downhill for most of the way and is actually one of the easier straight miles in the country.
That said, instances of horses that barely stay a mile, and subsequently revert to sprint distances, winning this race are all but non-existent.
But the race does go to a number of out-and-out milers who never stay much further, not even 1m2f.
One's Shortlist
The Lion In Winter - lovely colt, super pedigree, won the Acomb well, but not sighted since and never mind what people who live in Dore (Simon Rowlands) think, that's got to be a concern.
Shadow Of Light - Best 2yo form, cracking colt, overcame issues to win the Dewhurst, prospects of staying on pedigree and style of racing, but I've seen a lot of his type not get home and revert to sprinting.
Expanded - Ran a blinder for one so inexperienced in the Dewhurst. Progressive sort, every chance.
Ancient Truth - Plucky Dewhurst third, if he trains on best he'd have every chance if aimed at this. Will stay the mile.
Twain - Under a few radars, but but not mine. Impressed me in France. Another with every chance if aimed at this.
Opera Ballo - I was waiting to see if he's entered for Kempton Park on Saturday for the race fast becoming the modern Ascot/Salisbury Guineas Trial (Notable Speech won it last year). He isn't. They've got some mad fantasy about him being a Kentucky Derby colt, but if sanity prevails he could be very good in something like this.
Ruling Court - Won as he liked at Meydan recently and might just be far better at three than he was at two when placed in the Acomb.
