Some juveniles to keep an eye on…
We could be seeing the stars of next season at Newmarket on Friday as Channel 4 cover three Group 1s and a total of five juvenile contests. The recent weather has ensured we’ll be racing on soft ground which might upset some of the fancied runners that have been enjoying the extended summer this year.
Majestic Manner Can Make All Once More
On soft ground at Newmarket it can often be difficult to make up ground so prominent racers could benefit from a track bias here in the 1.50. Mystic Jade is yet to yet to win a race after three starts but she was only denied by a short head last time out and Ravens Pass’ progeny tend to handle the soft ground. Richard Hannon will surely have his eye on this prize and if the riding tactics from last time are repeated she could go close. Narrow preference though is for Majestic Manner who benefited from this trip at Lingfield last time when making all in likeable fashion and the runner up from that race has won since to frank the form. William Haggas’ filly has only raced on good and good to firm ground so far but her pedigree on both sides suggests she should improve further when encountering this ground.
Strath Has Speed To Burn In The Cornwallis
Fendale could be popular here in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes after a luckless run last time out but there is no guarantee he’ll take to this soft ground being by Exceed and Excel. A safer option may be Strath Burn who although below par last time out, seems to need soft ground and has already been a close second at Group 2 level. He was ridden prominently on his first two starts before being held up last time after a two month break and he looks set to improve dramatically on that run to be in the shake up here.
Ivawood Worth Opposing In Testing Conditions
Ivawood is likely to go off odds on for this year’s Middle Park and whilst the fact that he should get further will help him here in this ground he’s a very short price for a horse who is yet to face soft conditions. His pedigree gives some hope about the ground but there are too many question marks. Kool Kompany and Cappella Sansevero are closely matched on their Phoenix Stakes form in similar ground and should go very well but Muhaarar looks the value pick. He won easily on his debut on soft ground and he only has 3 lengths to make up on Ivawood from their July Stakes run where the ground would have been much more in Ivawood’s favour. It’s a shame the 7 runners don’t really lend themselves to an each way bet so a win only play on Muhaarar has to be the recommendation.
Lucida No Soft Touch On This Ground
Like the preceding Middle Park Stakes, this year’s Fillies Mile has attracted a small but select field. Favourite Lucida looks almost certain to run very well, not only has she shown top class form in her four starts but she also looks likely to be suited by this step up in trip. Her only two (narrow) defeats came on fast ground (which trainer Jim Bolger said he’d like to keep her away from) and she even has a course win to her name. No prizes for originality but fellow market fancies Agnes Stewart and Marsh Hawk look likely to follow her home.
Cove To Smuggle Dewhurst Back To Ireland Again
Coverage finishes at Newmarket with the Dewhurst, a third 7 runner Group 1 in succession. Once again their is a warm favourite, this time in the form of Estidhkaar, trained by Richard Hannon Jr. Although the horse has won on good to soft he has been beaten on soft and his overall profile suggests faster ground suits better. Although the clear form pick he might not have to run too far below par to let Smugglers Cove get the better of him. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has 7 entries to choose from here, including a Group 1 winner, and he choose to make Smugglers Cove his only runner. He’s improved dramatically with each run (won a listed race by 7 lengths last time out) and can take this prize back to Ireland for the 8th time in 9 years.
