Opinion Poll, a prominent contender in the Betfair Henry II Stakes at Sandown
The brightest candidate for the Group 3 Betfair Henry II Stakes is Mahmood Al Zarooni trained, Opinion Poll. The race will be hosted by Sandown over two miles and seventy-eight yards on Thursday, 31st May. The line-up competing for the £31,191 prize money comprises of ten four-year and older runners.
Halling’s six-year-old bay horse out of mare, Ahead, last raced at Sandown in 2010 and was positioned third in the Coral Marathon Stakes over two miles and half a furlong on 3rd July.
Ever since he finished right next to the 11/8 favourite winner of the Group 1 Gold Cup on 16th June at the Ascot over two miles and four furlongs, Opinion Poll has not gone down the second position in the next six races, half of which were victories.
He was the 9/2 favourite winner of the Group 2 Artemis Goodwood Cup on 28th July at Goodwood over two miles. Paired up with Frankie Dettori for the race, he escaped defeat by a very narrow head’s margin.
Finishing the closest was Lost In The Moment while taking up the third slot was Blue Bajan.
He then held a firm grip on the Group 2 Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup (British Champions’ Series) on 20th August at York over two miles and half a furlong.
The 3/1 favourite winner led the track by ¾ of a length and once again had Frankie Dettori riding him. Duncan qualified as the runner up while reserving the third spot was Bergo.
Opinion Poll failed to strike a hat trick as he settled as the runner up in the very next race and then extended the count of finishing second to three. He parked second in two more races.
His first success of the season was in the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors on 31st March at Meydan over two miles.
He was the 10/11 favourite winner of the race and was accompanied by his regular jockey, Frankie Dettori.
The six-year-old has all the chances of striking the second success of the season and pairing up wins through the race today.
The line-up of the race cannot be underestimated thus he will need to put in a sincere effort.
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