Solario Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and verdict

We have reached that seductive time of the year where certain races for the two-year-olds can have a huge bearing on what is to come next season.

The BetMGM Solario Stakes is an excellent example with the seven-furlong contest often punching well above its Group Three status.

Kingman (2013), Masar (2017), Too Darn Hot (2018) and Field Of Gold (2024) have all been among recent winners, while it’s often overlooked that Kameko was beaten a nose in the 2019 renewal. None of them ran in renewals that had more than seven runners.

Between them, those five went on to clock 11 triumphs at Group One level (four Classics in there for good measure), with Field Of Gold perhaps not finished yet. And before them, Raven’s Pass had scooped the 2007 running.

Do we have a potential superstar in Saturday’s edition? Here’s a guide to the Class of 2025. 

Timeform rating: 113. RaceiQ highest speed: 40.81mph. Odds: 12-1. 

The most experienced runner in the field and boasts a rating of 107, although that may flatter him. He won his first two starts at Newbury and Salisbury before having to settle for two silver medals in Listed company at Ascot and Salisbury on his past two starts. He was no match for Morris Dancer, the Vintage Stakes runner-up, in the Stonehenge Stakes last time. Soft ground is an unknown for the first foal of his dam, although his sire, Palace Pier, handled it well enough. 

Timeform rating: 103p. Highest speed: 38.53mph. Odds: 8-1. 

Seeks to emulate his sire, Too Darn Hot, who won this in 2018, having made a winning debut. There was plenty to like about He’s Waliim’s first offering over an extended 7f at Beverley this month as he quickened away readily to beat Conjecture by six lengths after being allowed to set a modest tempo. You cannot get carried away by the winning time or form, with the 75-rated runner-up, who was finding one too good for the fifth race in succession, suffering another reverse on Friday. However, He’s Waliim could do no more than he did and Clifford Lee was taken by his professionalism. His dam coped well enough with testing ground. 

Timeform rating: 111. Highest speed: 40.85mph. Odds: 6-1. 

Beat a big field on his debut at Newbury and his Chesham Stakes win at Royal Ascot in June looks solid, with the runner-up, The Secretadversary, being among those to subsequently frank the form. The chestnut colt was well-fancied to preserve his unbeaten record in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last time but he faded to finish seventh without having any obvious excuses. His brother, Holloway Boy, difficult to win with after himself landing the Chesham, has looked at his most effective on good ground or quicker. 

Timeform rating: 104p. Highest speed: 39.15mph. Odds: 40-1. 

The 240,000gns breeze-up buy failed to make much impact on his debut at Haydock in early July but, fitted with a hood, looked a different proposition when making most in a novice event at Kempton a month later. He won at the main expense of a Godolphin odds-on shot who had shaped well behind Gewan, the subsequent Acomb winner, on his first start, so there’s some substance to his form. The question is whether this American-bred colt can now back that up reverting to turf in this higher grade. 

Timeform rating: 96p. Highest speed: 41.34mph. Odds: 66-1. 

Gelded before seeing the racecourse, he was rough around the edges when offering little on his debut at Newmarket before landing a maiden at Ffos Las last time. Little more than three lengths covered the first six home and the runner-up, Conjecture, was thumped by He’s Waliim next time. It’s clear he has a lot more on his plate here. 

Timeform rating: 107p. Highest speed: 39.78mph. Odds: 100-30. 

Regally bred, being a son of Dubawi out of Cheveley Park winner Lumiere, with his siblings including two smart acts in Highland Avenue and Silver Lady. The grey wasted no time making an impression, upstaging his stablemate Wild Desert, who was long odds-on after being an impressive winner on his debut, at Newmarket in late June. The runner-up, who was conceding 6lb, has since finished a close third in the Superlative Stakes, while the other three runners in the race have all gained subsequent wins. Pacific Avenue has a stack of big-race entries this autumn and his pedigree points to soft ground being no issue. 

Timeform rating: 103P. Highest speed: 38.58mph. Odds: 5-6. 

Team Gosden clearly have a soft spot for this race, scooping the spoils six times since 2002, including with Raven’s Pass, Kingman, Too Darn Hot and Field Of Gold. Publish is a shade of odds-on to add to the haul, although his price does seem to factor in the record of Clarehaven runners. The form of his debut defeat here in early July has not worked out well, while his subsequent success on easy ground here about three weeks later also lacks some substance, for all that the winning time was creditable. Charlie Appleby was responsible for the runner-up, Catullus, so has a decent line on the form. Publish is a handsome son of Kingman capable of better yet, but his price is on the skinny side. 

The fact that Publish represents the Gosdens is probably a tip in itself, but at the prices I would rather be with Pacific Avenue, who hit the deck running on his debut. Humidity also commands respect. 

1 PACIFIC AVENUE. 2 PUBLISH. 3 HUMIDITY