Katie Midwinter (29/09/23)
NEWMARKET
1:50pm – Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2)
Capulet 2/1 – A P O’Brien, Ryan Moore
It could be an exceptional weekend for the genius trainer of Ballydoyle with many good chances in the top races across England and France. Capulet, by Justify out of Group Two winner Wedding Vow, impressed in defeat at the Irish Champions Festival, narrowly denied by stablemate Diego Velazquez when appearing to have more in his reserves in the closing stages. That level of form sets the standard in this field, and there is likely more progression to come from the colt.
2:25pm – Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1)
Cherry Blossom 11/1 (EW) – A P O’Brien, Ryan Moore
Symbology 33/1 – Clive Cox, Rossa Ryan
Both fillies have to reverse form with the speedy Relief Rally, which will be a tough task, however at current prices they represent each-way value at double-figure odds. The pair finished a short-distance behind the William Haggas-trained filly in the Lowther Stakes, in second and third respectively.
Cherry Blossom was beaten by a superb debutante in the competitive Goffs Million last week on ground softer than ideal, but she solid Group Two form from York and may be underestimated returning in black-type company.
Symbology was disappointing when last seen, perhaps unsuited by the track on that occasion with her jockey noting she became unbalanced during the race. That run is worth forgiving following her previous two placed efforts at Group level, and the 33/1 available seems a generous price.
3:00pm – Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)
River Tiber 9/4 – A P O’Brien, Ryan Moore
Coventry Stakes winner River Tiber suffered a setback during the summer which kept him out of the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh and instead rerouted to the Prix Morny at Deauville. The son of Wootton Bassett could only manage third, two-and-a-quarter-lengths behind winner Vandeek, but on a sounder surface with a more adequate preparation, he can reverse the form and return to winning ways. He is one of Ballydoyle’s best juveniles and is an exciting prospect, capable of landing his first Group One prize in this race.
5:25pm – Class 2 Handicap
Glenfinnan 9/2 – Andrew Balding, Oisin Murphy
Likeable Harry Angel colt has been in the track ever since he appeared in the paddock ahead of his second-place finish in a maiden at the York Ebor Festival last year. Beaten only by odds-on Godolphin favourite Desert Order on that occasion, Glenfinnan finished second at a price of 33/1 on only his second start, and landed his maiden win soon after at Yarmouth.
He didn’t start his three-year-old campaign brightly, but his form has picked up and he landed his second career win at Ascot in early September. Up 6lbs for that success, he runs off a mark of 94 now back in handicap company and is capable of building on his recent victory, with a firmer surface in his favour.
LONGCHAMP
2:58pm – Conditions Race (2yo)
Islandsinthestream 8/11 – Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Maxime Guyon
The Wootton Bassett colt has finished second behind now 119-rated Henry Longfellow in both of his last two races. That represents a good line of form on which Islandsinthestream can build, and if he is able to show further progression he is a likely winner now in calmer waters.
4:08pm – Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2)
Caracal 9/1 – Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Dylan Browne McMonagle
Following a 511-day absence, Caracal made a winning return at Tipperary recently under 7lb claimer Conor Stone-Walsh. He beat shorter-priced horses in Lust and Warrior Brave, appearing to have plenty in hand crossing the line. Having been declared a non-runner due to unsuitable ground at Cork on Tuesday, a return to France on a sounder surface is likely to suit and given he is able to build on his Tipperary win, he possesses plenty of untapped potential.
4:43pm – Prix Dollar (Group 2)
Ancient Rome 12/1 (EW) – Charles Hills, Jamie Spencer
The War Front colt formerly trained by André Fabre enjoyed success as a juvenile in France but failed to build on a fruitful debut season and made the switch to England this summer. He was overlooked in the market when landing the Chesterfield Cup at odds of 33/1 on his debut for Charles Hills, then went on to win the Grade Three Mint Millions Stakes at Kentucky Downs. On his return to France he represents plenty of value over his optimum trip on ground that will suit.
HAYDOCK
3:15pm – Class 3 Handicap
Chairmanoftheboard – Jack Channon, Rob Hornby
Despite carrying top-weight, course-and-distance winner Chairmanoftheboard can run well enough to enter the frame at Haydock off a mark of 90, 1lbs lower than his last winning mark when successful at the track almost two years ago.
4:25pm – Class 2 Handicap
Safe Voyage 11/2 – John Quinn, Jason Hart
The veteran performer excels on soft ground and will be suited by testing conditions at Haydock. The ten-year-old makes his 51st start on Saturday, and could add a 13th victory to his tally following a Chester success last month.
5:35pm – Class 4 Handicap
Dark Jedi – Tim Easterby, Duran Fentiman
This step back up in trip is likely to suit this experience contender. He copes with softer conditions and is well handicapped off a mark of 82.
RIPON
3:30pm – Class 2 Handicap
Mr Wagyu 6/1 (EW) – John Quinn, Paul Mulrennan
A consistent performer, Mr Wagyu has been running well this term but has failed to win. He has been running in competitive races however, and these calmer waters could allow him to return to winning ways, 6lbs below his last winning mark.
5:15pm – Class 4 Handicap
Pledgeofallegiance – Sir Mark Prescott Bt, Paul Mulrennan
Three-year-old gelding Pledgeofallegiance is 4lbs clear of the field on ratings, receiving the weight-for-age allowance from his older rivals. He has proved his staying credentials this term with a 1m6f success at Redcar, but was unsuited by the run of the race when last seen at Ascot and can be forgiven for a below par performance. Capable of bouncing back to form with another try over the 2m trip, the son of Sea The Stars has an edge of class that could see him reign victorious on Saturday.
KILLARNEY
3:35pm – Handicap
Dragon Of Malta – P F O’Donnell, James Ryan (5)
Two wins from his last three runs, the six-year-old gelding enjoys soft conditions and has 5lb claimer James Ryan taking some useful weight off his back.
MARKET RASEN
3:55pm – Class 3 Handicap Chase
Found On – Martin Keighley, Sean Bowen
Course-and-distance winner Found On recorded a five-timer before being pulled-up on heavy ground at Bangor-On-Dee last term. She failed to finish again on reappearance in January and has since been absent since, but now returns under Sean Bowen on better ground which could be key to her success. The eight-year-old mare enjoys a sounder surface and goes well fresh.
4:30pm – Prelude Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
Stonific 33/1 (EW) – Gary Hanmer, Kevin Brogan
Big-priced outsider Stonific runs off a mark 16lbs lower than when successful at the track two seasons ago. On his best form he is exceptionally well handicapped and although he has been disappointing this season, he has had his excuses and the better ground will certainly be in his favour on a return to Market Rasen.
All runners/prices are correct at the time of publication.
Photo by Mike Kotsch on Unsplash
THE CONDITIONAL 