The action kicks up a notch on Friday at Newmarket with 3 good quality Listed Races & 2 excellent Group 2's plus the added puzzle of The Silver Cambridgeshire to close proceedings.
Opening up the card are 2 fillies Listed events firstly over a mile & latterly over 12 furlongs; the opening mile race looks at the mercy of the improving 3yo fillies in the lineup. Belle D'Or has not been seen since being galvanised home in a slowly run small field affair at Sandown back in July, she has been given plenty of time since to continue her development & has plenty more to give.
Provenance is bred to be at least this class & steps up after 2 hard fought wins in handicaps, a strongly run mile like Belle D'or appears to be what she needs & the stiff mile here will suit. Etaab will appreciate a return to better ground if Newmarket does avoid the showers that are forecast on Thursday, prior to her last run she had been progressive & is well worth a go in this grade, could surprise.
Pelerin has been running deplorably on her last 2 starts after a 2nd in a Newbury Listed race earlier in the season, claims if back to her best but it would appear that others have progressed past her. Batrana steps up from a Class 5 maiden win on the July course on her last start where in truth she beat trees, has plenty to find on form & her talented international trainer managed to get the formerly classy Igugu beat in this last year.
3 useful older fillies are in opposition & on form they look up against it; Amulet needs softer ground to have a real chance, Gifted Girl appears to be going the wrong way so perhaps Zibelina can give the 3yo's most to do, she was a progressive filly last year until injury curtailed her season. She ran just ok on her return back in April & was then kept off the track until August, she returned with a nice showing in a Group 3 at Sandown last month, should be sharper here & a player.
Not a betting race for me.
14 staying fillies go to post for The Princess Royal Stakes at 2:10 over the 12 furlongs of the Rowley Mile; Agent Alison has been most disappointing ever since her 2nd place finish in The Fred Darling first time up last season however there was a semblance of promise to be taken from her last effort in a similar race at Yarmouth last week where she stayed on with purpose in 6th. Familiarity goes in search of black type once more & on all known evidence will struggle to gain any. Livia's Dream was the beneficiary of a good ride last time to achieve some black type at Chester, this however is a much tougher race & she will do well to get involved. Miss Marjurie was always going to struggle taking on 3 improving 3yo colts in the March Stakes at Goodwood last time, this is a much more realistic option & she can go well here. Regal Hawk managed to finish 3rd in a Group 3 at Taby in Sweden last time behind a couple of fair older scandinavian animals, her form in this country leaves her with plenty to find in this company & she may well find this too competitive. Vanity Rules has yet to show she is good enough to compete at this level after several unplaced efforts in similar races.
Zipp is not up to this level even allowing for the small amount of improvement that she has found recently, all her best form has come with some cut.
Queen Of Ice showed plenty of grit, determination & hitherto unknown stamina reserves to win the Galtress at York last time, she has a penalty to overcome so will need to improve again but thats not out of the question. Criteria ran a huge race in The Park Hill to finish 3rd last time out despite not truly staying, prior to that she had good form at this level & has to be of interest here. Island Remede ran her best race of the season so far in The Galtress last time but was still well held by the winner looking fairly one paced, entitled to have needed that run after 2 months off so there is a small chance of some improvement to come.
Jordan Princess was highly tried at the start of the season when chasing home Taghrooda here at the Rowley Mile after that she showed very little until getting up in the final strides at Goodwood last time, plenty more on her plate her though.
Long View is a half sister to Derby 2nd Tartan Bearer, she broke her maiden comfortably at Brighton at the start of the month after 2 encouraging runs in maidens, bred to be smart & now she has a win under her belt could be dangerous to underestimate, place chance. My Spirit has been placed in this grade on her last 2 starts firstly when getting stuck in traffic at Salisbury & latterly making all before fading over this trip at Saint Cloud, still has potential so is a contender.
Plenty of fillies in with chances & not a race I would get involved financially.
Moved from the October meeting the Rockfel as part of the shake up for Future Champions Day it has attracted a smallish field compared to usual.
Calypso Beat has maintained her form well since a dominant display in a Listed race over at the July course back in June, she followed that up with two 2nd's in Group 3 company back on the July course & over at Deauville when easily outpointed by a useful filly, unwise to dismiss.
East Coast Lady didn't get the clearest of runs when coming from the back to just fail to catch another of today's runners Home Cummins in a good class Nursery at Doncaster last time, work to do to turnaround that form of level weights here & most likely not up to this grade in any case.
Fadhayyil didn't appear to handle the ground on debut when well outpointed by the useful Marsh Hawk, she did everything wrong at Salisbury but still managed to win going away at the finish, the step up in trip will suit here & is respected.
Home Cummins had the run of the race at Doncaster last time when beating East Coast Lady, she will need to find more improvement here to get involved.
Lucida brings by far the best form into the race after closing all the way to the line last time just failing to catch Cursory Glance in the Moyglare last time. This is by far the perfect race for her (was entered in Cheveley Park) & she looks to be a classy filly who can take this before heading into winter quarters as one of the leading 1000 Guineas fancies.
New Providence gained a deserved win last time in pattern company at Salisbury when outpointing Marsh Hawk, every chance she will improve for the step up & should be involved.
Stroll Patrol will enjoy the extra furlong after getting outpaced behind New Providence last time before finishing with a late rattler, already fairly smart a frame contender once more.
Tigrilla has already in her short career shown a liking for softer going which is a concern here, her form ties in with Calypso Beat (placed behind her at Newmarket & she herself beat Queen Bee who beat Calypso Beat last time 2 starts back). She was well beaten behind Lucida on her last start however & has plenty to find here.
What Say You represents the in-form Burke stable, she made a more than pleasing debut at Ascot behind the useful Malabar & duly opened her account in fine style on the July course next time, could be anything.
Lucida 7/4 (WON) BetVictor / Stan James looks a cut above these.
The feature event on Friday's card at Newmarket is The Nayef Joel Stakes part of The British Champions Series & won in fine style last year by the excellent Soft Falling Rain. A quality field of 14 go to post headed by two 5yo's currently at the peak of their powers; Captain Cat & Custom Cut.
Captain Cat got back to winning ways after an annus horribilis from James Doyle at Goodwood on his previous start, a cracking looking horse who has returned from a break in top form, will get the strong pace her requires & despite this being his biggest test to date he will be hard to keep out of the frame.
Custom Cut has won his last 4 starts on the bounce rising from Listed to Group 3 class on his last 2 starts, his form is holding up well in behind him as well as he has beaten the following horses so for; Trade Storm: Woodbine Mile Grade 1 / Lady Lara: Dubai Duty Free Cup Listed / Ansgar: Supreme Stakes Group 3 & Park Stakes Group 2 / Tenor: Fortune Stakes Listed & Short Squeeze: Clipper Logistic Stakes Handicap. Will be out there on the lead & impossible to say that he can't repel them all again but this is a tougher assignment.
Ocean Tempest has been another fabulous servant to his small stable this year who have done so well with but everytime he has ventured into this grade he has struggled & softer ground is ideal for him.
Penitent is a former winner & placer in this race but has looked a shadow of himself since he returned to winning ways at Haydock earlier in the year, faces competition for the lead here.
Producer & Professor are very similar horses, both struggle to get the mile in top company which is even less likely to happen over the demanding mile here.
Tullius has not been seen since some top runs at the start of the year including in Group 1 company the last twice, you would imagine he has been missing due to the fast ground as he is 10lbs better on softer going which is a concern in & in truth so is the class of race as it is stacked full of horses at the top of their game whereas he is returning from a long break.
3yo's have won 2 renewals in the last 10 years & make up the rest of the field.
Anjaal is not good enough in this grade & is a doubtful stayer.
Hors De Combat like Captain Cat was given far too much to do at Goodwood last time, prior to that he threw away a winning chance in a 3yo Group 3 when just getting collared by Wannabe Yours, will get a strong pace here but the worry remains that he lacks the mental strength to win in this grade this season, add to the equation that this is the toughest race he has faced so far.
Master Carpenter owes connections nothing after an excellent season, had no chance in truth in The Moulin last time & his best form is with some give in the ground.
Outstrip has been running with credit in races that he could not win & were run completely against him, for the first time since Santa Anita last season he will get a strong pace on likely fast ground which means he has to be considered especially with his stable finally in a consistent level of form, either way he would need to run a good race here if he is to return to America for a Breeders Cup Mile which I expect him to go very close in.
Wannabe Yours is held in some regard by John Gosden who was touting next years Sussex even before Kingman was retired earlier in the week, stayed on powerfully to win cosily at Goodwood last time from the wayward Hors De Combat, plenty more on his plate here but along with Outstrip they look the two 3yo's to concentrate on here.
A cracking race in which I would be very hopeful of a bold show from Outstrip 8/1 (Unplaced) BetVictor / Stan James / William Hill.
The Godolphin Stakes has attracted 8 runners at 3:45;
Flying The Flag showed little on his recent York return & steps up to an unknown trip here. Harris Tweed has struggled on all his starts this season & is best watched despite a long break. Magic Hurricane was progressive earlier in the year but has struggled over 10 furlongs on his last 2 starts, stepping back up to 12 furlongs should see him in better light but has work to do in any case. Finally for me Nabucco steps up to 12 furlongs after looking laboured & one paced at 10 furlongs throughout his career including last time in a slowly run race at Doncaster where he finished in front of Magic Hurricane & just behind Red Galileo, with the types of horses in this race you would hope for a stronger pace & if that materialises I would expect Nabucco to go close.
Red Galileo himself was ridden to finish (similar to his Derby ride) last time & almost caught Clon Brulee, I harbour doubts as to him repeating that effort here though.
Penglai Pavillion returns to the track after two disappointing runs behind Gospel Choir on firmish ground in May, he has since been gelded having been a handful at home. On his best form he would be a good thing here but again my worry is faster ground & I would prefer to watch him on his first start back after the reports I had on him.
Ayrad was outpointed by downhill track specialist Beacon Lady at Epsom last time & that leaves him plenty to find here. Windshear was outdone by the 3 class horses in The St Leger last time underlying that he is no more than useful even allowing for what should have been his abundant stamina. This drop in grade will help him here so he has to have some kind of realistic chance even though I would be concerned that he has been beaten so many times now that he has forgotten how to win.
End of season Listed races can be tricky but at the prices stepping up in trip for the first time I like Nabucco 7/1 (WON) William Hill.
Red Galileo himself was ridden to finish (similar to his Derby ride) last time & almost caught Clon Brulee, I harbour doubts as to him repeating that effort here though.
Penglai Pavillion returns to the track after two disappointing runs behind Gospel Choir on firmish ground in May, he has since been gelded having been a handful at home. On his best form he would be a good thing here but again my worry is faster ground & I would prefer to watch him on his first start back after the reports I had on him.
Ayrad was outpointed by downhill track specialist Beacon Lady at Epsom last time & that leaves him plenty to find here. Windshear was outdone by the 3 class horses in The St Leger last time underlying that he is no more than useful even allowing for what should have been his abundant stamina. This drop in grade will help him here so he has to have some kind of realistic chance even though I would be concerned that he has been beaten so many times now that he has forgotten how to win.
End of season Listed races can be tricky but at the prices stepping up in trip for the first time I like Nabucco 7/1 (WON) William Hill.
Some choicely bred & expensive 2yo's appear in the 4:25 over 7f;
Algaith (Dubawi x Atayeb) Half brother to 2 minor winners. Dam just useful on the course but is a full sister to Rumoush (Feilden Stakes Listed, 2nd Park Hill Group 2 & 3rd Oaks Group 1), she is a half sister to Mawatheeq (Cumberland Lodge Group 3 & 2nd Champion Stakes Group 1) & Ghanaati (1000 Guineas & Coronation Stakes Group 1).
Consort (Lope De Vega x Mundus Novus) £150,000 Tatts Book 1 Oct 13. Half brother to 3 winners. From the family of Graded winner in the states Surya.
Fibre Optic (Rip Van Winkle x Wind Surf) £130,000 Tatts Book 2 2013. From the family of Ravinella.
Hathal (Speightstown x Sleepytime) £320,000 Craven Breeze Ups 2014. Half brother to 4 winners including Gentleman's Deal (Winter Derby Group 3). Dam won 1000 Guineas Group 1 1997 & is a full sister to Ali Royal (Sussex Stakes Group 1).
Mubtaahij (Dubawi x Pennegale) £391,140 Arqana 2013. Half brother to Lily Of the Valley (Prix De L'Opera Group 1).
Mutamakkin (War Front x La Laja) £534,038 Keenland Sept Yearling 2013. Half brother to 1 winner. From the family of Somali Lemonade (2 x Grade 3 winner, Grade 1 placed in the US).
Navigate (Iffraaj x Dorothy Dene) Promise on only start in Sandown maiden, will improve.
Nota Cambiata (Elusive Quality x Mo Cheoil Thu) Never in contention on debut at Sandown, more experience needed on that evidence.
Spanish Squeeze (Lope De Vega x Appetina) £62,000 Tatts Book 2 2013. Half brother to 2 winners from the family of Summitville.
Wisewit (Royal Applause x Loveleaves) No promise on Newmarket debut, tough race to be thrown into next time out.
Yamllik (King's Best x Anaamil) 6th foal, Full brother to Sajjhaa (Jebel Hatta & Dubai Duty Free Group 1, Balanchine & Cape Verdi Group 2).
Zabeel Star (Arcano x Deep Winter) £85,000 Goffs London Sale 2014. First foal, dam useful in Germany. Grand Dam Russian Snows (Prix de Royallieu Group 2 & 2nd Irish Oaks Group 1).
A definite Sky+ or if you have RacingUK watch the replay.
The Silver Cambridgeshire is the penultimate race on the card with the non event that is The Newmarket Challenge Whip ending the day, 25 runners go to post for the consolation race headed by
Ree's Rascal stamina will be well & truly tested once more after failing last time at Windsor. Ansaab didn't run that badly over 6f in The Silver Cup last week, not out of this back up in trip on the best of his old Irish form. Munaaser promises to well suited by the extra furlong & has a progressive shape to his form, chances.
Mange All one would assume will be a strong favourite off his current mark after just getting outstayed over 10.5f at Doncaster last time by a horse on the up, drop back here will suit & as a front runner he should avoid any traffic issues.
Angelic Upstart has work to do with Mange All on their last running though.
Jodies Jem should finish in front of Angelic Upstart now off level weights after only just losing out to her at Goodwood on her last start when giving her over a stone, good strong mare who could outrun her odds.
GM Hopkins hadn't been seen since the early weeks of the season when re-appearing at Sandown 14 days ago, despite drifting he duly won nicely, plenty more left in the locker after just 4 runs & could prove much better than these.
Puzzle Time has plenty on from this mark after his winning run came to an abrupt end at Doncaster last time. Lacan was beaten by GM Hopkins on his racecourse debut at Nottingham earlier in the year quite comfortably, he has since run subsequent Group 3 winner Wannabe Yours to a short head & recently broke his maiden on his 3rd start at Nottingham, opening mark is fair but has work to do with GM Hopkins.
Border Bandit has been running consistently from similar marks & has a chance of a place. Ty Gwr has shown nothing in 2 starts this season & has plenty on.
Chain Of Events adores Sandown having won 4 times at the Esher track, he has also won twice here so is not discounted under Ryan Moore.
Old Nanton has been a tremendous horse for his connections & at the age of 12 has won twice this season, well treated on his old form including 3 placed efforts in a Cambridgeshire (2nd at 66/1 in 2008 / 3rd at 33/1 in 2009 (he was also 6th in the Cesarewitch a few weeks later) & 4th at 33/1 in 2011)).
Coincidently has plenty on her plate in this company for all she will appreciate the extra furlong. Showboating will struggle to get home over the 9 furlongs as all his English form is at 7f or 6f. Eurystheus struggles off marks higher than 78 so his young jockey's claim will help but he will need to a marked amount of improvement in this race.
Miguel Grau is progressive at a lower level but has little chance here.
Sheila's Buddy was a staying on 2nd in this last year from a mark of 73, showed that a better run was not far off last weekend off a reasonable mark (same here) at Newbury under today's rider Richard Hughes, chances once more.
Unison's best form has come with cut & he faces an uphill task here.
Anton Chigurh is well handicapped on his old form but has shown little for ages over hurdles as well as on the level, needs a huge downpour.
Desert Ranger was disappointing at Yarmouth just 9 days ago after having previously won at the course, his form is in & out this season so he could well be due a good run if following that trend. Tight Lipped will likely remain that way after 2 bad runs recently in a lesser grade, too much on his plate here.
Looks between the 3yo's to me, I have been a fan of GM Hopkins (WON at 7/1) for some time now & hopefully with Mange All likely to make the market we may well get a decent price about GM.
@fttfracing
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