Saturday Preview – Follow Flare For Dewhurst Surprise
The Dewhurst Stakes in the main attraction at Newmarket on Saturday where some of the smartest two-year-olds put their reputations on the line. None more so than Chindit who looks like a real classic prospect but the most interesting runner in the field might be Poetic Flare who represents Jim Bolger who knows what it takes to win the race. On the undercard Kyprios could be the answer in the Zetland and Jukebox Jive may give Gain Cromwell another big winner on British soil. ITV Racing brings us three races from York where Ben Macdui should win the Rockingham Stakes, Kynren will be competitive in the Sprint Trophy and we have picked a big each-way player in the Free Bet Handicap.
Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3)
An open-looking contest to open proceedings at HQ with the once-raced Kyprios the most interesting. A rare Moyglare runner for team Ballydoyle, he won nicely on debut at Galway and this well-bred sort looks exciting. A mark of 87 may underestimate Fabilis who has progressed nicely from his debut to win both starts since and must be on the premises. Martyn Meade’s stable has been very quiet of late which is concerning and Lone Eagle has a near-identical profile to Fabilis but on the face of it looks like a smarter sort.
Selection: Kyprios
Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3)
Imagine is one of the real gems in the Coolmore breeding operation and has produced another quality colt in the form of Van Gogh who’s already Group 2 placed and had a nice confidence-boosting win at the Curragh last month. The Godolphin duo of Dhahabi and One Ruler are of obvious interest. Dhahabi won on debut and then went down fighting in the Listed Denford Stakes at Newbury. William Buick rides One Ruler who was a disappointing favourite when last seen and has losses to recoup. Of the others, Latest Generation has ground to make up with One Ruler who he met on debut but made no mistake at Doncaster in the interim.
Selection: Dhahabi
Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)
Aidan O’Brien first won this back in 2001 with infamous Rock Of Gibraltar and holds a strong hand now with St Mark’s Basilica and Wembley. Ryan has chosen to ride Wembley who’s only won a Roscommon maiden but stepped up markedly to chase home the opposing and unbeaten Thunder Moon in the National Stakes. St Mark’s Basilica was a length and a half behind Thunder Moon that day and there won’t be much between the trio of Irish-raiders. The best of the home contingent is Chindit who’s won all three starts to date including the Group 2 Champagne Stakes. He’s been talked about as a real classic horse and has the class to take this. Another Irish-raider to note is Poetic Flare for the in-form Jim Bolger yard, who doesn’t send horses across the Irish Sea without reason. The once-raced son of Dawn Approach was green on debut over much shorter and could be a big improver.
Selection: Poetic Flare – E/W
Cesarewitch Handicap (Heritage Handicap) PAYING 6 PLACES
Willie Mullins bids for a third straight win in this historic staying handicap with Great White Shark who was disappointing in this last season off a three-pound higher mark and won well over hurdles at Galway in July. This will have been the plan for a while and is a worthy favourite with Jason Watson in the saddle. Leoncavallo has been one of the talking horses coming into the race having improved for a wind surgery and change of stable. He’s got a lovely racing weight and will be tough to beat. Another Irish trainer that excels in plundering big English prizes is Gavin Cromwell who runs two but Jukebox Jive is a more obvious contender. He won the November Handicap on his first start for new connections and hasn’t been seen on the level since so there is room for further improvement on his first start for 342 days.
Selection: Jukebox Jive – E/W
Rockingham Stakes (Listed Race)
Ben Macdui won on debut and wasn’t beaten far in the Molecomb, before disappointing at York. The step-up in trip could help bring further improvement and he’s top-rated in here. Another debut winner is Legal Attack who since went on to finish runnner-up in a Group 3 at Chantilly. It’s tough to weigh up that form but he has obvious ability. The twice-raced Regional looked good at Pontefract but came up short in listed company at Ayr. He’s still open to further improvement and can’t be discounted.
Selection: Ben Macdui
Free Bet Handicap
Ilaraab comes here chasing a five-timer and only got a five-pound rise for the latest of these victories at Newbury. That makes him still a well-handicapped sort and looks the one to beat. Ed Walker’s Matthew Flinders has yet to run a bad race and was a snug winner at Doncaster when last seen. The extra two-furlongs should suit and must be in the mix. The lightly-campaigned Chatez is now nine-pounds lower than his last winning mark. He saw this trip out well at Newbury and could be the surprise package.
Selection: Chatez – E/W
Sprint Trophy Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Richard Fahey’s Mr Lupton has to give weight away to most of his rivals but won well at the Curragh and followed up with a good run in the Ayr Gold Cup. He’s been competitive off higher marks in the past, so should be in the mix. Kynren might be happier over seven having just got done for toe on his first start since a wind-op but has a lot of ability and must be on the premises. Roulston Scar was a winner on stable debut in Meydan and also won on his first foray on British soil at Nottingham. Life will be tougher this revised mark but he’s improving with each start.
Selection: Kynren
