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There is plenty of Listed and Group action taking place across the UK and Ireland on Saturday, including Newbury. The Berkshire track hosts the competitive Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes for juveniles and the fast five-furlong Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes for the older horses.
In the 6f Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (3:15), there is a mix of experienced Group performers and improving juveniles. The twice-raced Mister Sketch heads the current betting, having secured his maiden victory on the second time of asking when scoring by nine-and-a-half lengths at Salisbury. Although entitled to improve for his third run, there is a small concern about the form of the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained colt - some of the placed horses in his first two outings have placed again but there has been no stand out winner to boost the form line.
The experienced Seven Questions has been an excellent servant for the George Scott yard this season, recording three straight wins earlier in the year before making a solid transition to Listed and Group company. The son of Kodiac suffered an agonising defeat when a head second behind Starlust in the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes on the all-weather at Kempton Park, and the third in the Listed Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes is expected to receive a further boost when winner Task Force is seen again. He is probably susceptible to a good winner, but there is no doubt the gelding will be firmly in the mix.
The nicely-bred Array could produce a big performance, following a third behind Starlust and Seven Questions in the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park on the all-weather. A half-brother to three Black Type performers, Array's pedigree suggests that he will continue to improve into his three-year-old year and that appears to have been the case so far. He finished second on his first two runs (including behind subsequent Sirenia Stakes winner Starlust) before recording an easy four-and-a-quarter maiden victory at Newmarket's July course. He ran well enough to finish three-quarters of length behind in the Sirenia, with the all-weather surface not expected to be his ideal.
It is a surprise to see Group 2 Vintage Stakes winner Haatem fourth-favourite at 11/2, despite his disappointing run in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York. Although the talented colt has never been tried on the forecast heavy ground, it is clear that he prefers a bit of ease in the surface, and this could set him apart from his rivals. The form of his Vintage win was given an additional boost when Iberian won the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last week, and the ground was probably softer than the official 'good to soft' verdict. A proven performer at Group standard, the Richard Hannon colt appeals as a likely winner.
WIN: HAATEM
It appears to be a fairly straightforward task for Sense Of Duty in the 5f Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (1:30), if the William Haggas-trained filly is fit for her first run since June 2022. The lightly-raced four-year-old has won all of her last four starts including an easy four-and-a-half length success in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes on the all-weather at Newcastle. A daughter of Showcasing, Sense Of Duty has improved with each of her five career outings and faces only four other rivals.
Michael Appleby's Raasel is likely to be the main danger, backing up quickly after a second in the Listed Scarborough Stakes behind Rogue Lightning. A proven contender at this kind of level, the gelding tends to prefer softer ground and the expected heavy conditions should not pose a problem.
WIN: SENSE OF DUTY
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1: SENSE OF DUTY
RACE 2: VALSAD
RACE 3: LE MANS
RACE 4: HAATEM
RACE 5: NATIONAL INTEREST
RACE 6: PEARLE D'OR
RACE 7: BODORGAN