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14:10 Newmarket
The first live TV race sees seven scheduled to go to post for the Group Three Bahrain Trophy. The John Gosden trained Mr Singh is likely to go off at very short odds and given his performance when second in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot, coupled with Gosden’s record in this race of three wins in the last four years, it is easy to understand why.
Horseshoe Bay looks to be the biggest danger to the favourite following his seven length demolition of his rivals over twelve furlongs, here at Newmarket in May. Based on that run the extra furlong today should hold no fears and although this will be a step up in grade he is taken to make the necessary improvement and provide a worthy fight to the favourite. At the expected odds he is my selection for today, in the hope that the favourite fails to perform.
Tommy Docc looks to be the best of the rest, having won twice on good-to-firm ground and finishing ahead of Future Empire when second at Ascot last month.
Horseshoe Bay (WIN)
14:40 Newmarket
Our second preview is a competitive looking six furlong affair for two year olds. Steady Pace finished third behind King Of Rooks and Buratino in a Listed contest at Sandown in May, finishing clear of Areen who could only manage sixth. However the tables were turned when the pair clashed again at Ascot last month with Areen finishing a very close second to Washington DC and Steady Pace almost a length back in third. Both step up from the minimum trip today and based on the improvement shown by Areen last time out he is taken to come out on top again today.
Experto Crede has only raced once but ran out a ready winner over course and distance and looks to be the pick of the remainder with further progress expected and jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle.
Areen (WIN)
15:15 Newmarket
Mahsoob arrives here looking to make it five career wins from five runs and looks likely to go off as favourite. He keeps Paul Hanagan in the saddle, who has struck up a good relationship with the four year old, but is also stepping up to twelve furlongs for the first time and is also facing a much smaller field than in previous races. On further examination it is also apparent that Paul Hanagan actually has a relatively poor strike rate over the last twelve months here (12.7%) in comparison with both his turf (18%) and overall average (19.4%).
Second Step signed off last year with a win in a Listed contest at The Curragh and returned from a seven month break to beat Telescope over course and distance in May. Both Telescope and the third placed Pethers Moon have both gone on to win since so the form seems to be stacking up well.
Preference however is for Gospel Choir who has won five from eight over this trip including two from two here at Newmarket. The partnership of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore has proved to be formidable over recent years and this partnership, along with being proven over course and distance, makes me think Gospel Choir should have the edge today.
Gospel Choir (WIN)
15:45 Newmarket
The final live TV race today sees eleven go to post for a competitive looking Class 2 Handicap over ten furlongs. Four of the scheduled runners bring recent winning form in to this, one of these being Mythical City who has won her last three all over todays’ trip. She looks to be improving with each race so today should hold no fears even though this represents a step up in grade.
Muntadab is another who arrives on the back of recent wins having won at Lingfield and Sandown respectively. He was a half-length winner in the race at Sandown holding off a subsequent winner in the process, but wasn’t as impressive as I’d have expected given his run at Lingfield and I feel he may be vulnerable today.
Of the remainder, Awesome Power has won his last two but steps up to ten furlongs for the first time while Dissolution is a previous winner over course and distance and will appreciate the return to todays’ trip after a disappointing show over further last time out.
Mythical City (E/W)