Parasol to shade rivals

English Racing Kempton preview Parasol can maintain his unbeaten record as a four-year-old with victory in the Magnolia Stakes at Kempton today.

Lightly raced last season, when he ran only three times for the Saeed bin Suroor stable, Parasol has thrived with David Loder and has already won twice on the all-weather this year. He began with an impressive victory at Lingfield in February under an enterprising ride from Kieren Fallon, beating Adiemus by two and a half lengths.

Frankie Dettori took over for his main objective, the Littlewoods Bet Direct Winter Derby at the same track in March, and rode him from the front to beat Adiemus again, this time by a neck. Afterwards Loder talked of moving Parasol up into Group company, with the Earl Of Sefton Stakes and the Gordon Richards Stakes as possible targets, but he sticks to Listed opposition at Kempton.

Parasol was unable to strike a blow when highly tried by Godolphin in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas last season, before winning a match at Epsom and signing off with runner-up spot behind Island House at Newmarket. There looked to be more in the locker and with the ground unlikely to hinder him, Parasol can make it a hat-trick.

Strathclyde ran a cracking race on his seasonal debut and looks sure to put in a bold bid for the PGL Activity Holidays Stakes. He had them all beaten except the well-regarded Fire Up The Band in a hot handicap at Ascot last month and will find trip and conditions to his liking.

John Dunlop's Lautrec should appreciate the step up in trip in the Hot Cross Bun Handicap at Nottingham.