Newmarket‘s Cambridgeshire meeting is one of the last big flat racing festivals before the jumps return to dominate the scene. Across three days in Suffolk, Group 1 prizes are on offer, with the feature handicap itself the showpiece event on Saturday.
Thursday is when the meeting begins though and Matthew Sutcliffe has penned his thoughts on the opening day. He gives his analysis of three races, with a horse to follow in each.
13:50 Newmarket – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
Powdering was a staying on third in this contest last season from a 6lbs higher mark and is taken to go two places better. The Ribchester daughter was a comfortable winner on the July course in June over this trip, drawing away from two subsequent winners in good style.
She’s now only a pound higher after four subsequent losses, but she hasn’t been entirely off the boil and the return to this quickening surface will suit. She’s drawn around pace angles and there looks to be a strong gallop on which further boosts her chances given she generally needs a good toe into her races, and low draws appear to be beneficial in this contest.
15:00 Newmarket – Tattersalls Stakes (Registered As The Somerville Tattersall Stakes) (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (2yo)
Fuel The Jet won the same Doncaster Nursery as Modern Games did en-route to winning the Tattersalls Stakes and can follow suit.
We gladly redeemed faith after chancing him in the Acomb Stakes, where he failed to settle from the off and handle the occasion which can often be the case at York. He still looked somewhat of a work in progress at Doncaster, and the drift was alarming, but regardless he won with a good level of authority under Neil Callan who was able to ease him down for a two length success on ground that might’ve been soft enough.
That was his second win after fending off Cilician in good style at Newbury, and that form has worked out well with multiple subsequent winners. Three of the four ahead of him on his debut at Thirsk are now rated in the 100s, and while he is slightly more exposed than some of these, he’s still undoubtedly progressing and the extra experience is certainly no downside in this field.
15:35 Newmarket – Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+)
It would be a surprise if Gregory was to lose this on all known form, but he only just narrowly won on his reappearance from 476 days off after a wind operation last time out and there’s also the potential occurrence of the bounce factor with these older types who’ve likely had issues getting back to the track.
Should the favourite fail to give his running, an alternative at a price is Goblet Of Fire, who’s been in excellent form for Nicky Henderson on the flat this season with form figures of 5132, and a very respectable overall record of 8-22 on the level.
He landed a heritage handicap over 1m6f here in may under Saffie Osborne, comfortably beating what looked a strong field. He backed that up with a staying on third in the Betway Trophy, with the winner now rated 100 for the Gosden’s after his Mallard success, the fifth rated 113 and Melbourne Cup bound, and the sixth landed a Shergar Cup contest next time out prior to landing a Hungarian Grade 1.
He’s been crying out for a return to two miles on the level for the first time since his Wolverhampton success, and he’s the type to excel out of handicap company as a track he’s clearly suited by.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Three to Watch for Thursday 24 September
13:50 Newmarket – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) – Powdering 16/1 1pt EW 3 places
15:00 Newmarket – Tattersalls Stakes (Registered As The Somerville Tattersall Stakes) (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (2yo) – Fuel The Jet 7/1 1pt EW 3 places
15:35 Newmarket – Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Goblet Of Fire 9/1 1pt EW
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 10.15am on Wednesday 23 September.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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