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13:50 Newmarket
The opening race on what promises to be an excellent card at HQ, and in truth it’s difficult to look past the early favourite Flying Honours who sets the bar pretty high given his impressive five length victory in a Listed contest at Salisbury in August, beating Andrew Balding’s Stormbuster who followed up with a similarly convincing victory next time out. Breeding suggests the step up in trip will bring about further improvement so it is Charlie Appleby’s runner who gets the vote.
Dear My Friend ran well for third in a Listed race at Deauville when last seen, only beaten by two subsequent Group winners, so would have to be considered the most likely to challenge the favourite especially given his trainers record of having already won this race five times, with Liftoff also noted for each way purposes at likely bigger odds.
FLYING HONOURS (WIN)
written by Dean Kilbryde
14:05 York
Felix Natalis comes into this race on the back of a good win at Leopardstown last time out and holds Miami Girl on that run though he needs to find a bit more to trouble those at the top of the market.
Secret Angel is the likely pacesetter here and just didn’t manage to get home on her previous run having scored nicely over course and distance the time before. Karl Burke has had a nice season with his youngsters, but she is opposed today.
My selection here is going to be Alpha Capture. He was only beaten a short head by Cold Case last time out who has smartly boosted the form. He’s proven on a slower surface for last years winning trainer and will be hard to beat today if producing the same level of form here. Bolt Action looks to be the main danger but is exposed.
ALPHA CAPTURE (WIN)
written by Tom Bates
14:25 Newmarket
A class one for the two-year-olds here at Newmarket sees a group of potentially exciting soon to be three-year-olds going into the next years flat season.
Holloway Boy was all the talk after winning as a 66/1 shot at Royal Ascot which seems a long time ago now. His reappearance he was runner up and then runner up again at Goodwood. Clearly is still improving and will be in contention.
Killybegs Warrior looks a large price but will need a career best to win here though is unbeaten at Newmarket with two wins coming here at the course. Exoplanet should improve for his win last time out at the first time of asking but only just won by a neck you would think he would need a lot more to be competitive here.
Silver Knott looks to be the market favourite though is on a bit of a recovery mission after his third at Doncaster. Ground was soft so maybe that was an excuse.
Epictetus would be my selection here. Frankie on board today for Gosden's. He won first time out at Newmarket with a little bit in hand having looked back at a replay travelling along easily. Of course this is a much bigger test than last time out. But the form of that race he won is looking reasonably strong with runners behind him that day winning a few races between them in listed and high class races.
EPICTETUS (WIN)
written by Luke Tucker
14:40 York
The application of a visor has taken Marching Army’s form to new heights with back-to-back victories in competitive handicaps at Yarmouth and Newbury. Saeed Bin Suroor’s charge has to carry a 9lb penalty for those wins but the likely favourite should be up to the challenge. The well-travelled Algiers took the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile back in February and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares on his British debut.
Three-year-olds have a fantastic record in this race having taken the last four renewals and Saga is the classic generation's sole representative this year. The Kings charge has only one win to his name but has shown distinct promise in eight career starts and this extra yardage should definitely suit.
SAGA (WIN)
written by Peter Keogh
15:00 Newmarket
A scintillating Darley Dewhurst Stakes in prospect with some big reputations and some unbeaten records that will come to an end. The handicapper has the Andrew Balding trained Chaldean top on ratings after completing an impressive hat-trick which has included two group race victories, but this will be his sternest test to date. The Godolphin runner Naval Power comes here looking to complete a five-timer but is yet to race above Listed level and this is a step up for the son of Teofilo.
Nostrum’s unbeaten record though will remain intact for me, having had only two starts he does have to concede experience to most of the field. But his C&D victory in the Tattersalls Stakes was very impressive and would make him the one to beat, he went through that race like a horse with real class and Sir Michael Soute’s will be very hopeful of collecting another Group 1 prize.
NOSTRUM (WIN)
written by Michael Taylor 15:15 York
A very competitive handicap for which there is many in with a shout. Gulliver has won two of the last three renewals of this race. It’s good-to-soft today but it might well be softer than it seems, which plays to his strengths. You surely can’t discount him but he hasn’t been at his best this year. He could find himself playing runner up this year.
Dusky Lord is the charge of the inform Roger Varian. He won the Ayr Silver Cup when last seen and that performance puts him at the top end of the ratings today. He has been handed a nice draw and the new addition of cheekpieces seem to be doing well. The only concern is that his best form is on good ground and it seems to be softer than he’d like today.
Silver Samurai has ran three times at York and placed twice, possibly having excuses for his other poor run. If you discount his below par run at Ascot, he was a good third to Summerghand in the Constantine Handicap at this distance. He has a perfect draw and has no qualms about the ground. Added that he’s nearly back down to his last winning mark, he should be up there with them today.
SILVER SAMURAI (E/W)
written by Kieran McHugh
15:40 Newmarket
The Cesarewitch over the marathon trip of two miles two furlongs is one of the highlights of the autumn calendar on the Rowley mile.
There’s a chance the market may have a slightly lopsided look to it as two horses have been clearly laid out for this season’s renewal.
Ahorsewithniname, a seven-year-old mare was a decent flat performer before going hurdling. She has returned to the flat after finishing second in a Grade 2 novice at the Cheltenham festival, winning both times this season. Stamina is no issue, and for a yard that has won this before, she should go well under Moore.
Run For Oscar is the other horse which this has clearly been the plan for some time from his shrewd yard. He was backed as if defeat was out of the question, when ultimately a comfortable winner at Haydock, despite taking an age to get going. He’s a massive player, but his price will reflect that.
Willie Mullins has three runners. Baby Zeus, Gibraltar and Scaramanga. He also knows how to win this race, and it’s impossible to rule out any of his trio.
In an attempt to find some value, one horse looks sure to run his usual honest race, Zoffee.
He’s tackled some competitive handicaps this season and run with credit. This horse stays all day, and this test looks tailor made. Feasibly handicapped still and with Dettori on board, he’s a solid each way player.
ZOFFEE (E/W)
written by Matt Polley