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Day Two Of The Newbury Guineas Trial Meeting
Saturday's main UK flat fixture is Day Two of the Spring Trials Weekend at Newbury featuring further classic clues.
The first race on the programme is the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes over one and half miles. Market leader Hurricane Lane enjoyed an excellent three-year-old campaign winning at this meeting two years ago before victories in the G2 Dante Stakes at York, G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh, G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, and the G1 St Leger at Doncaster completing the season with a third in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Although he proved disappointing last season racing only twice it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to his best for the powerful Godolphin team. Mojo Star makes his eagerly awaited reappearance having finished a fine runner-up in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot while last year's winner, Max Vega, looks to defend his crown.
Selection: Hurricane Lane
Danger: Max Vega
The three-year-old fillies are next up in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes, registered As The Fred Darling Stakes. Known originally as the Lambourn Stakes until 1954, it is run over seven furlongs on the straight course. Godolphin's Bridestones returns to the track after making a winning debut last October at Yarmouth in a one-mile novice event. The filly holds an entry in both the G1 1,000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks. Magical Sunset is already a three-time career winner, including a course and distance Listed race on heavy going last October. Swingalong holds plenty of appeal having won the G2 Lowther Stakes at York last August before a good fourth in the Newmarket G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and is open to further progress now upped in trip. Another in the mix is Olivia Maralda. During her two-year-old season, this course and distance winner placed second in G2 company at The Curragh (Ireland). However, the Ralph Beckett-trained Remarquee could come out on top. The daughter of Kingman quickened up in taking style to win on debut at Salisbury last season and looks just the type to improve during her three-year-old campaign.
Selection: Remarquee
Danger: Bridestones
The Group Three Greenham Stakes for the Colts is also run over seven furlongs. Frankel in 2011 was the last horse to win the Greenham/2000 Guineas double while the most recent 2,000 Guineas winner to race in the Greenham Stakes was Night of Thunder in 2014 when finishing second. Last start Group One Dewhurst winner Chaldean looks like the horse to beat this year. A classy performer at two, he also won the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster with the second, Indestructible, winning the G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket this week. The Simon & Ed Crisford-trained Knight is unbeaten in two starts, concluding last season with a course and distance win in the G3 Horris Hill on heavy ground during October. Frankel colt Theoryofeverything was an expensive yearling purchase and created a deep impression when running out a ready debut winner at Doncaster three weeks ago. He could progress. Isaac Shelby is a previous course winner and holds winning form at G2 level from last summer.
Selection: Chaldean
Danger: Theoryofeverything
The Heritage Handicap Sprint Cup is often a competitive affair but Lattam, who tops the betting at a general 13/8, could take some stopping. William Haggas' unexposed three-year-old looked value for more than the winning margin in the Irish Lincolnshire and can follow up with conditions to suit. The danger could come from Brunch, who returns to handicap company following a solid second in the Listed Doncaster Mile Stakes three weeks ago. Others that are likely to be involved include Atrium and Jimi Hendrix.
Selection: Lattam
Danger: Brunch
Elsewhere on the card, Greatest Time and Astrodome look to build on promising debuts as they contest two interesting three-year-old maidens.
