It’s the Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket with the highlight being the Dewhurst Stakes and of course the Cesarawitch. So many champions have come out of the Dewhurst, including the great Frankel and the two Approaches, Dawn and New and so many heroes out of the brilliant staying handicap that is the Cesarawitch. York back this up on TV with an excellent card.
1.45 Newmarket Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (Not on CH4)
The three 3yo’s look the right place to start as they have dominated this race in the last 10 years. Kassia for the very much in form Channon yard was a good winner at Pontefract, Gravity Flow who has run up a string of wins and looks very progressive for William Haggas, also in great nick and Mise En Rose, who one could argue, has an easier assignment for this race than the previous Group 3 where she ran credibly. They look the most likely winners in a good pipe opener. We will side with the Godolphin runner who came from a long way back at Doncaster and looks to be well capable of taking this
1 unit e/w Mise En Rose
2:20 Newmarket Dubai Business Internships Fillies´ Nursery Handicap Cl2 7f
We expect this race to be fought out by horses towards the top of the weights and for whom the step up to 7f looks ideal. The first is Amabilis for Ralph Beckett, whose win last time out in a dead heat saw the two chief protagonists, 5 lengths clear of the field with neither wanting to give best or slow up in that stiff finish at Beverley. The second is Muthmira who really impressed from the front at Yarmouth and gave the impression that 7f would be ideal. Nursery’s are never easy but look for class and they have answers in them. These two look class.
1 unit e/w Amabilis | 1 uit e/w Muthmira
2:35 York Download The Coral App Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m2f88y
Some very in form horses in this race starting with Lord Ben Stack who we tipped up last time out and he delivered in the manner of a good horse. He should run well again. Cote D’Azur will be on the premises but we expect this race to be beyond the level he has to offer. Dolphin Vista put in a career best last time out but has to improve again to win this but the one they all have to beat is Central Square for whom the handicapper seems to have been lenient in terms of his last time out win. Still lightly raced he should deliver again.
2 units e/w Central Square
2:55 Newmarket Dubai 100 Autumn Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 1m
Another really good Group 3 contest, this time over a mile. Montataire led them in to the dip last time out in a better race than this and gave best to Best of Days, as we predicted but he might just see this out from the front. Best Solution was beaten in to 4th at this level by Larchmont Lad but wasn’t a long way away and that suggests it wasn’t a great race. Rodaini is four from four for Simon Crisford and whilst he, like the rest, needs to improve again he has a great attitude and a good mind for racing and should be at least placed. Lockheed ran well behind Churchill and whilst we believe in Winston we thought he should have got closer on the day at the Curragh. Maybe it was the yielding ground and a firmer surface will suit more. The Anvil took a big jump in class when almost toppling Best of Days and he looks the one they all have to beat if this race doesn’t come too soon.
2 units e/w The Anvil | 1 unit e/w Rodaini
3:10 York Coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 6f
Silver Line is definitely capable of putting his last run behind him where he disappointed and a return to the form that saw him get within a length and a half of Mehmas would make him a real threat. Sir Dancelot looks a strong contender after his third last time out and Perfect Angel might be capable of a winning performance with a bit of improvement but the horse we are all over has only raced once and won and has come on a bundle since that first race, according to Karl Burke he is the real deal. Lost at Sea is our strong selection.
2 units e/w Lost at Sea
3:30 Newmarket Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) Cl1 7f
What a race, Churchill puts his lofty reputation on the line today and we see if he can strengthen his claims as the favourite for next years Guineas. Win well and he will be all the rage. William Haggas is strong on Rivet and believes he deserves a chance after his recent wins. Blue Point was disappointing when being beaten by Last Lion on this track but there was quite a speed bias to that race and his pilot left him a lot to do in a short space of time. He is probably capable of better. Capri has to improve a little but we liked the manner of his last victory and he might well spring a surprise if there is one. Any rain will aid his cause. Larchmont Lad lowered Whitecliffsofdover’s fancy colours last time out and he looks a real improver. Andrew Balding has also highlighted the significant improvement in South Seas and is as excited about the race for his charge as we are about the race generally. It’s one to savour. Our selection is probably a bit predictable but we are form punters and the best form by nearly 6lbs has been shown by Churchill and with 6 favourites having won in the last 10 years he looks ideal in the Juvenile Battle of Britain.
4 units win Churchill
3:45 York Coral Sprint Trophy (Handicap) Cl2 6f
Red Pike is a good starting place as he has come down the weights and on his form earlier in the season he is of interest, for Bryan Smart. Normandy Barriere ran a career best to win at Doncaster
last month and might have been saved for this race, in which case he deserves respect. Terentum Star could spring a shock on good to soft ground as he was at his best in the spring at Newmarket. Five furlongs was too short for Pipers Note last time out and this 6f will show him to best effect. Roudee and Captain Colby both won last time out and are both now racing off far higher marks that will make things difficult for them, as good as they are. Our hopes are with Mayfair Lady who ran well last time out and has the class to win this race.
1 unit e/w Mayfair Lady
4:10 Newmarket Betfred Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 2m2f
St Michel just snuck in to this race for Sir Mark Prescott and will be all the rage in the betting. He stays, has class and does just enough to win. This however is a race where luck really does come in to it. Sweet Selection runs of a mark well below the current one and is proven at this trip and in big handicaps. It’s the Angel Gabrial that appeals at a big price as he is down quite a few pounds and looked to be going back the right way last time out with a workable draw for jockey Fran Berry. Modem might also surprise if he brings his A game as might The Cashel Man for David Simcock, who is lightly raced. With 30+ runners and a minimum of five places available we will back three.
1 unit e/w Sweet Selection | 1 unit e/w Angel Gabrial | 1 unit e/w The Cashel Man
