The Cesarewitch takes place at Newmarket on Saturday (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)
Newmarket UK Saturday Formguides And Selections
1 2:15 PM SA Time – Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes (Group 3)
Three-year-olds have a fine recent record in this and DAMYSUS gets the nod with that in mind. Thrust into the Derby having finished second in the Dante prior, things didn’t go to plan and he was given some time to recover. The Frankel colt returned to score in comfortable fashion at Deauville in August, though, and any further improvement ought to see him go very close. Gladius was far from disgraced in the Strensall last time out and is another open to considerable progress. First Conquest heads the remainder.
Top Tip: Damysus (4)
Watch out for: Gladius (5)
2 2:50 PM SA Time – Night Of Thunder Zetland Stakes (Group 3)
Charlie Appleby didn’t have a representative in this 12 months ago, but he won the three previous renewals so Look To The Stars and Del Maro must be respected. William Buick opts to ride the former, which could be telling, but SPYCE is preferred. Second in the typically warm Convivial Maiden at York before going one place better at Yarmouth, pedigree suggests he could be even better over this longer trip. A comfortable winner at Tipperary latest, Endorsement must enter calculations too.
Top Tip: Spyce (8)
Watch out for: Look To The Stars (4)
3 3:25 PM SA Time – Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3)
It’s hard to form a strong opinion given that each of these has the potential to improve significantly, but AL ZANATI shades the verdict. The son of Dubawi narrowly prevailed on the July Course when making his debut, beating a rival who has since gone on to fill the runner-up spot in the Goffs Million at the Curragh. He’s still entered in the Futurity Trophy, a target that could be well within his grasp if landing the spoils here. A step up in trip ought to suit Hankelow, who was touched off in the Flying Scotsman at Doncaster. New Zealand could fare best of the O’Brien pair.
Top Tip: Al Zanati (1)
Watch out for: Hankelow (4)
4 4:00 PM SA Time – Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)
The value may lie with OXAGON, whose runner-up effort in the Champagne at Doncaster has been well franked by the first and third going on to score at ParisLongchamp last weekend, including at Group One level. An easy winner at Sandown before that, the son of Frankel should be able to handle the undulations of the Rowley Mile, with Gstaad put forward as the primary threat following another close-run thing at the top level last month. Aidan O’Brien’s colt is taken to overturn that National Stakes form with the highly progressive Zavateri, while Distant Storm improved from his Acomb third to score impressively over C&D and is another to consider.
Top Tip: Oxagon (6)
Watch out for: Gstaad (4)
5 4:40 PM SA Time – Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
An eyecatcher when staying on well for third through heavy ground at Goodwood, MANXMAN could be primed to go one better than he did when pipped by Alphonse Le Grande in this prestigious handicap last year. The son of Cracksman is 8lb higher, but he has the benefit of Jack Callan’s 5lb claim. A similar type to his 2022 Cesarewitch winner Run For Oscar, Charles Byrnes’ recent C&D scorer Reverend Hubert must enter calculations under a 4lb penalty, along with Bunting, who looks the pick of the Willie Mullins battalion after a creditable fifth in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown. Others to note include Beylerbeyi, Dawn Rising and Divine Comedy.
Top Tip: Manxman (7)
Watch out for: Reverend Hubert (16)
6 5:15 PM SA Time – Godolphin Flying Start Nursery
Blue To Blue has improved significantly on his last couple of appearances, completing a double when scoring at Haydock. He can feature again, despite a 7lb rise, but a chance is taken on WEDONTTELLLIES. The son of No Nay Never picked up nicely to win a novice event at Kempton in fine style and Richard Hughes’ charge could prove better than his opening mark on his nursery debut. Pacifica Pier can’t be ruled out either if bouncing back from a disappointing effort at Doncaster.
Top Tip: Wedonttelllies (4)
Watch out for: Blue To Blue (3)
7 5:50 PM SA Time – Modern Games British EBF Boadicea Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Listed)
CELANDINE makes plenty of appeal returning to 6f. She found life tough in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York last time, but the Kingman filly was beaten only a nose over today’s trip in Listed company before that and has a leading chance on these terms. Hold A Dream has placed at this level on more than one occasion and can make her presence felt, while Alfa Kellenic could prove best of the older horses with underfoot conditions back in her favour.
Top Tip: Celandine (6)
Watch out for: Hold A Dream (8)
