Looking at the entries for Newmarket this weekend, there are some disappointing fields given the dearth of top quality horses in training (i.e. nobody scared them off) on cards where there are some valuable contests over a variety of distances.
In the Palace House Stakes, I have been told Alpha Delphini, who stepped up from handicaps to win the Beverley Bullet and be beaten in a photo in a Group 3 on his last start; however, I think he is badly drawn here (the pace looks to be drawn high) and there are a couple of others I would prefer if I were betting in the race.
In the Jockey Club Stakes, with Across The Stars absent, I expect Irish and Yorkshire Oaks winner Seventh Heaven to account for Pride’s son One Foot In Heaven, who needs easier ground and has to concede weight to the filly.
Just five go to post for the Newmarket Stakes, where Feilden Stakes winner Khalidi looks the obvious form pick – and his trainer should have a good idea whether Permian is a threat as one of his short-headed that one last time! The dark horse is Wood Ditton winner Night Circus, who may be better than the bare form and is one of several in the notebook from that race.
Those taking the short odds about Dewhurst winner Churchill in the 2000 Guineas obviously hope that last year’s champion juvenile has progressed over the winter more than some of his lightly-raced rivals. The other two Ballydoyle contenders were both well beaten in the UAE Derby, including Lancaster Bomber, runner-up in the Dewhurst when pacemaker. Whilst everyone respects Andre Fabre’s visitors to these shores, Al Wukair is a son of Dream Ahead and his form is all on easier ground. Eminent is unbeaten in two starts, the latest being the Craven Stakes over course and distance; however, I think that Frankel’s other son Dream Castle was second in the better trial at Newbury. I would be delighted if one of the Frankels won but I think Excelebration’s son BARNEY ROY is the one today.
Grapevine was just beaten by hotpot Signe at Newbury and drops back a furlong in the first race at HQ, whilst Ballet Concerto steps up in trip after winning an easy ground handicap first time out; however, after a long lay-off NEXT STAGE won a valuable race on this course and going, so with no miles on the clock Saeed bin Suroor’s colt is the one.
Victory Angel won a good race last time and the runner-up has scored since, so he may be ahead of the handicapper in the 4:10 (but the bookies know that, so no bet).
