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Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting kicks off on Thursday with a competitive eight race card including the Listed Somerville Tattersall Stakes and the Rose Bowl Stakes.
In the 7f Listed Somerville Tattersalls Stakes (15:35), Aidan O'Brien brings over debut winner Military, from the family of Wonderful Tonight. The son of Siyouni was heavily backed for the six furlong contest at Naas and justified market expectations when running out a clear two-and-three-quarter length winner. He hung right when put under pressure and should improve for the experience.
Likewise, Godolphin's Legend Of Time was an eye-catching Haydock winner on his first racecourse start over a mile, although he was forced to fight for a short head success. The Sea The Stars colt struggled for room with two furlongs to run and had to be switched right by jockey William Buick. He showed a good attitude when battling with the second-placed Wafei, finding enough to finish ahead at the line.
John and Thady Gosden are represented by Eben Shaddad, who impressed many with a very easy victory at Newmarket's July course on debut. Racing over six furlongs, the colt was always prominent and went clear in the final furlong despite hanging dramatically left, to record a three-and-three-quarter length success. Although the colt is by sprinting star Calyx, the dam's family is stamina laden and a step up to seven furlongs could bring about further progression.
Although the debut winners make plenty of appeal with improvement to come, the experienced Inishfallen appeals at the current prices. The Brian Meehan-trained colt recorded a maiden victory on the all-weather on the second time of asking and has since ran credibly at handicap and Group level. Third in a twenty-runner nursery handicap at York, the son of Exceed and Excel seemed to relish the step up to seven furlongs and followed up with a head second in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown Park, hanging left in the closing stages. His experience could be key, and any mistakes made by the less-seasoned runners would put Inishfallen firmly in the mix.
WIN: INISHFALLEN
Only four line up for the 2m Listed Rose Bowl Stakes (4:10) with Godolphin's Trawlerman expected to register an easy victory. The John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding has relished the step up to staying distances but made a disappointing start to the new campaign in Riyadh and Meydan. Last year's Ebor winner appeared in better spirits when returning to the UK and recorded an easy thirteen-length victory in the Persian Punch Conditions Stakes at Salisbury two weeks ago. A Listed contest appears well within his capabilities, especially against only three other rivals.
His main opposition appears to be Roger Varian's Shandoz, who will be having his third start back after a near two year absence. The six-year-old will be trying two miles for the first time but shaped like he may prefer the slower pace of a stamina test when fifth behind Bay Bridge in the Group 3 September Stakes. The gelding is a previous winner at Listed level and could be the one to fight Trawlerman in the closing stages, although the distance will remain a question mark.
WIN: TRAWLERMAN
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1: ORTELIUS
RACE 2: BLOWN AWAY
RACE 3: GALE FORCE MAYA
RACE 4: INISHFALLEN
RACE 5: TRAWLERMAN
RACE 6: MARHABA THE CHAMP
RACE 7: VICTORIA FALLS
RACE 8: PJANOO