Following two fascinating days of action at Newmarket, the flat turf action moves on to Newbury featuring the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Conditions Stakes.
There are only six runners but it is possible to make a case for each of them. The favourite is the Godolphin-owned Winters Moon, a daughter of New Approach trained by Saeed bin Suroor. She is entered in the England and Irish classics and certainly has the best form in the book.
She won her maiden at Newmarket when beating Shagah by a length before finishing a one-paced third behind Muraaqaba at the same course. She could not compete with the smart Elm Park in the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury next time but ran a fine race when third to Together Forever in the Group 1 Dubai Fillies’ Mile.
She stayed on really well that day after being shuffled back early on. The runner-up was Agnes Stewart while Lucida was back in fifth, both fillies with classic pretentions. That was over a mile on softer ground but she ran as though she will relish the extra two furlongs.
The big danger could be Star Of Seville, trained by John Gosden. She didn’t look anything special when beaten into third on her debut but she made all to win by six lengths at Doncaster next time. She also has 1000 Guineas and Oaks entries and has to be respected, as does the unbeaten Ooty Hill. Roger Charlton’s grey colt won well at Newmarket in soft ground in October and could be one to follow this season.
The seven furlong handicap that follows looks wide open but it is difficult to ignore the claims of Her Majesty The Queen’s Capel Path. Sir Michael Stoute’s horses are shaping as though they need a run but Capel Path looks on a very tempting mark.
The son of Street Cry ran green on his debut and was well beaten at Sandown next time before winning impressively at Newcastle. Graham Lee looked as though he had plenty up his sleeve when beating Taysh by four lengths. There are any number of dangers here including Mujassam, Upstaging and Sugar Boy who all won last time while top weight Strong Chemistry is not out of it.
Our final selection at Newbury is Lucky Beggar in the 3.55. The grey is trained by Charles Hills and won this race last year off only a 1lb lower mark. He was never really involved in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster where he was held up off a slow pace. I would expect Jamie Spencer to try to force the pace here, tactics which have paid off handsomely for Lucky Beggar in the past.
Winters Moon 2.50 @7-4 Ladbrokes
Capel Path 3.25 @6-1 Ladbrokes
Lucky Beggar 3.55 @11-4 Bet365
