A sensational Saturday of racing includes Newmarket‘s Dewhurst card, as well as the Cesarewitch Handicap, while Chepstow‘s jumps opener continues with the Silver Trophy.
Joe Napier has selections at both above meetings to combine for our Saturday lucky 15.
1.15 Newmarket – Humidity
The Lost King’s rate of improvement of late may ensure Group honours await, but stablemate HUMIDITY returns and is an eyecatching rival. Andrew Balding’s charge has not raced for over a year, which ensures freshness could well be an issue. However, the Wathnan runner, gelded since his last start, was a high quality juvenile, winning his first two starts, including the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also second twice in Group company, including when second in the Royal Lodge Stakes to none other than Bow Echo. That was his last run, but that form is deep and respectable. He won on debut in an 18-runner field, so should be ready to fire even after long layoff. James Doyle had the choice of two runners for the owners and chose the selection above a very useful yardstick in Haatem.
2.25 Newmarket – Rock Montreal
Charlie Appleby has been the man to follow in this race and Al Jabbar is respected, especially as he likely won a very strong maiden at Doncaster. Nevertheless, fellow Godolphin runner Rock Montreal, trained by Roger Varian, may have his and the field’s measure. The Blue Point colt had evidently entered notebooks before he even raced, as he was a 2/5 favourite on debut. He duly delivered, earning even more followers, but raced lazily and got going too late to back that up at Doncaster in Listed company. That race looked a decent one for the level though and he shaped as though stepping up to 1m will suit. William Buick has chosen him over Al Jabbar and he can further improve his reputation.
3.00 Newmarket – Great Barrier Reef
The market suggests the Dewhurst battle is solely between Desert Castle and Darkness Falls. Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle might have a joker to play though in Great Barrier Reef. A winner on both of his first two starts, he was the most forward of Ballydoyle’s juveniles. He also defied being second choice for O’Brien in the Coventry Stakes, winning that 21-runner Royal Ascot Group 2 despite being drawn completely on the wrong side of the action. Of the sextet which raced furthest from the stands, he beat the remainder by nearly nine lengths. That remarkable success made him odds-on for a Group 3 at the Curragh, in which he was surprisingly beaten. However, Ryan Moore rode him for a turn-of-foot, yet he shaped like a step up to 7f would suit. He only lost narrowly that day despite conceding 5lb and more all-round. His rivals should be wary of the forgotten horse.
4.02 Chepstow – The Mighty Celt
The Twiston-Davies team are in fine form as they usually are at this time of year. Yet, the modern powerhouse that is Dan Skelton may burst into life at this meeting, with The Mighty Celt taken to land Saturday’s feature at Chepstow. The French import has been outpaced on all three runs over 2m so far, but run on very strongly in each. They include the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, plus a handicap at Aintree against older horses. The four-year-old acquitted himself very well that day, finishing off strongly and this step up in trip could suit. There may be plenty more in the locker from a mark of 131.
