Can the Gimcrack champion truly dominate Newbury? The Darlington trainer hails him as the finest juvenile he’s ever handled, and his recent Listed Rose Bowl win proves he loves the course and distance.
Godolphin’s Nabati looked sharp before stumbling in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster last week. Charlie Appleby is eager to prove the colt’s class at this level.
I’m watching the revived Breeders’ Cup winner Starlust in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (1.02) at Newbury.
Ralph Beckett’s sprinter, a Del Mar hero two seasons ago who faltered at stud, posted impressive figures in the Nunthorpe and Ireland’s Flying Five last weekend, making him a threat despite the lower grade.
Back on softer ground, he could regain the lead, potentially costing Shagraan, who dons cheekpieces for the first time. For my money, this gelding offers the best chance, especially after finishing second here last year and thriving on the current footing.
Roaring Legend showed he still has plenty of talent when narrowly beaten by Mallard winner Valedictory at Newmarket this summer, and he could improve in the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup Handicap (1.37) at Newbury.
Olly Murphy’s eight-year-old is a fresh contender – a description that also fits Alan King’s Insanity. I’ve always liked this gelding, well‑handicapped and showing solid recent form.
Primo Lara, partnered with Ryan Moore, will attract market attention, yet the contest looks far tougher than the all‑weather win at Kempton earlier this month.
Richard Hannon holds the key to the Dubai Duty Free Handicap (2.47) at Newbury with the consistent Boyfriend and his stable companion Stem.
The former ran into traffic at Salisbury, but he stayed on strongly and might have finished closer with a clear run. A sizable payout could await.
Stem delivered a good effort at Sandown last time and has previously won at Newbury, while Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s Balzac, fresh from a gelding, posted an improved run at Ascot and looks another major player.
Binhareer is shaping up as a stakes prospect, so I expect big things in the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup (3.40) at Ayr on Saturday.
William Haggas’ grey produced a superb performance in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July from an unchanged rating of 103, and Tom Marquand is keen to ride him again in handicap company.
An easy‑ground winner over this trip last year, he’s near the top of my list alongside Far Above Dream, who narrowly missed in a hot York handicap. That form improved when Coul Angel surged at the Curragh last week.
At longer odds, I wouldn’t dismiss Richard Spencer’s Run Boy Run, who captured the race a year ago from a lower rating and could be dangerous in first‑time blinkers if drawn on the right side in stall 23.
I’d love to see Sam England claim the Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup Handicap (2.30) aboard the in‑form Trilby, another strong prospect for Tom.
He won impressively at Beverley before staying on strongly at Haydock, hitting the line hard; the faster the pace, the better for the six‑year‑old, who carries a modest five‑pound penalty.
Wathnan Racing’s Deep Havana carries a penalty but won convincingly at Thirsk after a long lay‑off and can improve, while Julie Camacho’s Havana Blue should lead after an impressive Ascot victory.
I’m delighted to share that in the past two weeks I’ve truly turned the corner in my recovery from the broken leg I suffered at Bath in May.
For a time progress lagged, my knee and ankle refusing to cooperate, but now results are finally emerging, which feels rewarding.
The biggest milestone was returning to the simulator a few weeks ago; initially I couldn’t lift my foot on the iron, yet now it feels like a major step toward riding again.
From the start I vowed not to lose too much condition, hoping to regain fitness quickly once rehab intensified, though the process has been exhausting.
I’ve been logging an hour in the gym daily at Oaksey House in Lambourn, followed by physio and hydro‑pool work, and I’ve also resumed the exercise bike, boosting my cardio.
I’m ticking every box and seeing the payoff of hard work, so I expect to be back doing what I love within weeks rather than months. Will I be ready for the next race meeting?