Katie Midwinter (11/10/23)
NEWMARKET
1:50pm – Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3)
A competitive field featuring many improving juveniles is the opener on Friday’s card at Newmarket, and Inquisitively heads the market for Kevin Philippart De Foy, with William Buick booked to ride.
The Ten Sovereigns colt landed a maiden success in Listed company at York when last seen, following a third-place finish in the Windsor Castle Stakes when almost four-lengths behind Big Evs. Rated 105, he has plenty of ability but may be unsuited by the forecast rain having been declared a non-runner due to unsuitable ground in the Flying Childers Stakes.
Zoulu Chief was also a non-runner on that occasion and whilst he should be forgiven for a below par performance at the track last week, as he set off too quickly from the front and couldn’t sustain the effort in the closing stages, the ground conditions are unlikely to favour him. Toca Madera, another to have swerved his intended Doncaster assignment, had previously finished a respectable third to Vandeek at Goodwood, but perhaps would have fared better on a sounder surface.
Alabama has a couple of lengths to find with Inquisitively on York form, but the Ballydoyle representative was slowly away over the fast 5f in the Listed contest and could finish closer with a better start this time around. His stablemate SWEETEST (E/W) is one of the outsiders of the field at 40/1, representing plenty of value with Frankie Dettori taking the ride aboard Aidan O’Brien’s second string.
Despite now being exposed and still a maiden, she has been unfortunate not to land her first victory and although this is a highly competitive race and she must take on the colts and geldings, she could outrun her huge odds and is unlikely to be too inconvenienced if the ground is soft.
The Blue Point filly finished two-lengths behind Prime Art at Naas, a filly who subsequently put two-lengths between herself and a field including fillies rated high in the 90s to land a Group Three at Ayr. That is a promising formline, and Sweetest could represent plenty of value at the prices in what is an open race.
2:25pm – Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3)
Market leader Skellet is an exciting prospect for the in-form Ralph Beckett yard, now representing Juddmonte with Ryan Moore in the saddle. The daughter of Kingman is well related and could build on a promising maiden performance, now up in class.
STAR MUSIC (E/W) was a comfortable winner at Kempton last month but will have to significantly improve to be competitive at this level. An eye-catching filly, the daughter of Zoustar looks the part and won by seven-and-a-half-lengths when last seen and although the form is unlikely to be of the highest quality, it was a visually impressive victory and she could take another step forward.
Chic Colombine and Circe both have winning form on soft ground, and may be worth siding with if the conditions are testing, whilst outsider Bellarchi has plenty of experience that she could use to her favour but may benefit from a break now making her 13th start in her debut season.
3:00pm – Challenge Stakes (Group 2)
Course-and-distance winner Audience was successful at the track on debut and has won twice since, including a Group Three on the July Course this season. Whilst he is the highest-rated contender in the field, the eye is drawn to the ever consistent CHINDIT who makes his 24th appearance, attempting to win at Newmarket for the very first time.
His course form is of slight concern ahead of this Group Two contest, but he has performed well enough at the track when third in the Joel Stakes to suggest that he copes with the design of the Rowley Mile, and a drop back to 7f could see him to better effect.
Second best on ratings, with 1lb to find with market leader Audience, Chindit has an excellent chance of making the frame but will face tough opposition that includes stablemate Shoulvebeenaring, a recent third in the Prix de la Foret.
4:10pm – Fillies’ Mile (Group 1)
Promising New Bay filly Shuwari was beaten for the first time in a strangely run Rockfel Stakes, given too much to do in the closing stages, unable to reel in eventual winner Carla’s Way who benefitted from being in a more prominent position and tracking the leader throughout. Despite losing her unbeaten tag, she is one to keep onside and is the one to beat in this field with the returning YLANG YLANG needing to reverse form with Ollie Sangster’s representative.
Aidan O’Brien’s Frankel filly had previously disappointed when last of the field at the Curragh in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. She set off too quickly when forced to make the running, and failed to sustain the pace, weakening quickly and eased in the closing stages once the race was lost. Not wanting to end her debut season on a negative, she reappeared at Newmarket, being taught to race and settle whilst gaining crucial experience on the Rowley Mile.
Slowly away, she settled towards the rear before being pushed along to maintain her position, then running on well under a hands and heels ride by Ryan Moore. It’s a performance she can build on, and she is a filly for the future, currently best priced at 50/1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas, her main target. If she is to win her first Group One, or finish close enough to Shuwari, her ante-post price for the Classic will surely shorten.
5:55pm – Pride Stakes (Group 3)
SILVER LADY finished sixth in the Listed Rosemary Stakes recently, three-lengths behind winner Coppice when staying on well at the same speed towards the finish. Having struggled to go with the leading quintet when the race developed, Charlie Appleby’s filly stayed on, sustaining a challenge without losing any more ground.
A step up in trip will suit and her pedigree suggests she could possess plenty of stamina, being by Sea The Stars out of Shamardal mare Lumiere. As noted in The Conditional ‘Weekend Review‘ she would be one to follow when running over further, and this quick reappearance over an extra 2f on softer ground could be exactly what she needs to show the best of her ability.
Aidan O’Brien duo Unless and Boogie Woogie are both of interest. The former finished sixth in the competitive Blandford Stakes, the form of which has been franked by the first three past the post, with Jackie Oh and Lumiere Rock both running well in second and third respectively in the Prix de l’Opera, and Trevaunance finishing second in a Cologne Group One. Boogie Woogie is the highest-rated in the field dropping back in trip, and is one for the shortlist.
CHEPSTOW
1:35pm – Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Class 2)
GOOD BOY BOBBY, already the subject of market support, is presented with a good opportunity to return to winning ways now 14lbs below his last winning mark. He has been running in tough handicaps carrying hefty weights, but now runs off a workable mark of 132 which should allow him to be competitive.
Hat-trick seeking Land Of Smiles runs off a career-high mark of 137 which could leave him vulnerable to a better handicapped horse. The course-and-distance winner thrives on good summer ground, and may not be suited by softer conditions at Chepstow, but is a horse in-form and has the benefit of a recent run.
Aye Right faces a tough task carrying top-weight, 1lb below his last winning mark but 6lbs lower than when second to Sounds Russian at Kelso on his seasonal reappearance last year.
2:10pm – Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Exciting prospect CAPTAIN TEAGUE could put in an emphatic performance on hurdling debut, making his first appearance since finishing third in the Champion Bumper. If he hurdles with fluency, he will be difficult to beat as he has the best form in the book and could be one of the leading British hopes in his division.
Rock House has done little wrong so far and has already won over hurdles. He is entitled to improve but has plenty to find to match the favourite’s level of form.
The progressive Mullinaree could represent value each-way at a decent price, bidding for a six-timer. This is a big step up in class, but he is a horse in-form and could use his experience to good stead in this contest. He previously finished third to Ginto in a point-to-point, a decent formline behind a subsequent Grade One winner whose career was sadly cut short after he suffered a fatal injury at Cheltenham last year.
Another to consider in the field from an each-way angle is Della Casa Lunga, last seen finishing second to Sandor Clegane at Punchestown. Her form prior to that would suggest she is unlikely to trouble the main protagonists, however if she is able to replicate the level she showed in April, she is in with a chance of making the frame.
2:48pm – Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4)
Paul Nicholls’ PANJARI has an interesting profile making his first appearance since being gelded. By Camelot, he is related to some winners and possesses some class. A Listed winner on the Flat, he beat Group Two and three-time Group Three winner Best Of Lips to land a Listed contest, and if he is effective over hurdles he could be a promising type going forward.
Debutant Zonda is another well-related contender. Purchased for €95,000 as a three-year-old, the son of Martaline is one to watch.
3:23pm – Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 3)
CHIANTI CLASSICO recorded a hat-trick of wins last term before being pulled-up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Wearing a first-time tongue strap, and making his first appearance after a wind operation, he is well treated off a mark of 133 on chase debut, and if he is as effective over fences he has an excellent chance of returning to the winner’s enclosure.
His form ahead of Henri The Second, who went on to win a Grade Two at Sandown beating a field that included subsequent Grade Two winner Maximilian, victorious over subsequent Grade One winner Stay Away Fay, represents a high-class formline, and although this is a different challenge now over fences, he has the scope to show further improvement as a chaser and is an exciting prospect for Kim Bailey.
Pull Again Green was a comfortable winner at Bangor-On-Dee in August, easily beating Any News who may benefit from a change of tactics this time around having made the running before weakening and finishing well beaten in third. It was an impressive performance by Fergal O’Brien’s charge, but the yard form as well as the potential rainfall is a concern for Pull Again Green who may be best watched should the ground become testing.
4:33pm – Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
Before Midnight makes his first appearance over hurdles since 2019 when representing Nicky Henderson. Well handicapped on his best chase form, the return over the smaller obstacles could spark a revival and a mark of 130 is generous, with 7lb claimer Ben Sutton taking extra useful weight off.
Likable chaser NOT AVAILABLE is another returning over hurdles for the first time since winning his maiden for Henry De Bromhead in 2021. A reliable horse, he won three races last term and was often seen running well in defeat. The softer ground may not be preferable, but he is in with a chance off a mark of 126.
All runners/prices are correct at the time of publication.
Photo by Danny Gallegos on Unsplash
THE CONDITIONAL 