FLEET FOOTED ROYAL TO MAKE IT A PROCESSION

14:40 Newmarket

Two well handicapped horses from powerful yards head the market for this race. Kaheall is trained by William Haggas and has been progressing steadily on the All Weather. He won two of three races last year and won again on his seasonal reappearance. He only ever does just enough in his races and as such makes it tough for the handicapper to get a grip on him. He has won 2 handicaps but comes here just 5lb higher than his first run in a handicap. He is entitled to improve for his reappearance and has not yet reached the summit of his ability.

Another I think has been let in lightly here is the Charlie Appleby trained Royal Fleet who makes his handicap debut here off a mark of 93. He won a novice race at Kempton on his only start last year when pulling clear with a subsequent winner and made his second start in another novice at Yarmouth in April. On that occasion he gave a Sir Michael Stoute filly who won next time out 10lb and a 2L beating. Third there also won next time out so he has some real substance to his form.

Qaader brings some established handicap form into this race having been 8th in the Brittania Handicap at Royal Ascot, he chased the pace on the far side there so the run can be marked up a little. Prior to that he showed a good attitude to win narrowly at Goodwood after being headed close home.

Latest Generation is ridden by James Doyle who already has 4 winners at Newmarket this week. He was second at Sandown to an older horse, he has potential but not as much as a couple of others here.

Titan Rock won on his first attempt at 1 mile at Redcar and has been raised 5lb for that, Champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes over in the saddle today, but he needs to improve a fair bit here.

Kaheall has a big chance off a mark that underestimates him but the same can be said of Royal Fleet and he is my selection. He has beaten subsequent winners easily in both of his races and looks better than his rating of 93. His yard is always to be feared in any Newmarket race and have form figures at Newmarket this week of 1,3,3,1,4,1,2 Royal Fleet has already been well backed and is a confident choice.

ROYAL FLEET (WIN)

written by Steve Marriott