Martin Dixon's Saturday tips: 7-1 chance has "a lot of potential"

Tony Montana may not have won since May 2024, but he's consistently run in some of the most competitive handicaps, regularly acquitting himself with huge credit.

That was exactly the case when he came back from a short break to finish fourth at the Qatar Goodwood Festival last month. He got caught too far back for too long that day but finished off strongly to be beaten less than two lengths.

He hasn't had many goes over as far as this, but the way he ran on that day certainly gives encouragement that he won't fail for stamina and this looks less competitive than most of the races he's contested over the last couple of years. 

This is a fiercely competitive renewal of the Atalanta Stakes with the likes of Kon Tiki, Calendar Girl and Secret Of Life bringing very positive profiles into the race, and Moon Target setting a good standard with Group One form, but So Regal is worth a small bet at 7-1.

John Gosden's filly is exceptionally well bred, by Kingman out of the Breeders Cup winner Queens Trust, and she created a big impression when winning easily at Newmarket and Ascot in the spring, quickening from off a slow pace at the latter track. Her York defeat next time was still another step forward in form terms as she finished second up in grade, and I'm not sure making her own running in a tactical affair suited her that day. She comes here fresh from a break and I still think she has a lot of potential, especially back in what should be a truly-run race. 

It's been a frustrating year for Son so far as he's finished second three times, twice in photo finishes, but I think this looks like the perfect opportunity to end a long losing sequence.

In truth, he should've won at Carlisle last time as he was hampered at a crucial stage entering the final furlong and only just missed out on getting up, but that run underlined the suitability of seven furlongs on a stiff track with some ease in the ground, and he gets exactly that again here.

This race should be a good test at the trip, with the likes of The Sweet Escape and Swift Salian likely to ensure a strong pace, and Son has a lovely draw in stall 6 to track the leaders through at a course where it's key to not get too far back or too wide.