The Pinnacle Stakes (Saturday 9 June) is run over 11 furlongs and 175 yards and only fillies and mares aged four and older are eligible to run in it. It was first run in 2003 as a listed race but was elevated to a group 3 in 2012. It’s most famous winners are probably its last two winners, with both Journey and Bateel enjoying subsequent successes at group 1 level.
Pinnacle Stakes 10-Year-Trends
- SP’s of the winners have ranged from Evens to 10/1
- Only three of the last 10 favourites have won, but the last two favourites were successful
- Winners have been rated between 94 and 114
- Six of the last 10 winners were aged four
- Kevin Ryan is the only trainer to have won the race in the last decade to have an entry
- Paul Hanagan has ridden two of the last eight winners
Pinnacle Stakes 2018 Main Contenders
God Given
Luca Cumani’s 4-year-old won a maiden fillies stakes at this meeting last year over the course and distance, and then brought up the hat-trick with wins in listed and group 3 company. She has been outclassed on her last two starts in group 1 company and then against the colts, but she should find the return to this company much more to her liking. She is also the top-rated horse in the field.
Cribbs Causeway
Rated 8lb lower than God Given but she improved rapidly between June and October in 2017 when winning five races, elevating her rating by over 30lbs. Those runs were in handicaps though and she was only third in a group 3 race on her seasonal reappearance. She could easily improve again but one of her poor runs last season was here at Haydock.
Titi Makfi
Second highest-rated horse in the race on a mark of 101 and is another who prospered during 2017 when she recorded six wins, including a listed race with some decent colts in behind here. Not at her best so far this season, but this looks easier, and she’s proven on all sorts of ground. Also has good form on flat tracks so lack of a run at the course may not be a negative.
Company Asset
Represents Kevin Ryan and this five-year-old won three times last season. One of those wins came here at Haydock over 10 furlongs on heavy ground but she has won on decent ground. That run also suggested she may have the stamina for this longer trip.
Euro Nightmare
Somewhat surprising to see her priced-up at longer odds than Titi Makfi and Company Asset as she beat those two re-opposing rivals fairly and squarely at Ayr earlier this season. However, that win came over 10-furlongs and she’s yet to prove as good over this distance.
Pinnacle Stakes 2018 Summary
Cribbs Causeway and Titi Makfi both started their improvement at this time last year but both will need to find more improvement as they’ve yet to win at this level. Therefore, this looks a really good opportunity for God Given who has already won a Group 3 and should relish the drop back to this class. Hopefully, she can make it a third winning favourite in a row.
Pinnacle Stakes 2018 Tip: God Given