Spirit Dancer is a runner for Richard Fahey this weekend. The six-year-old will be the ride of Oisin Orr, and he comes into this weekend in excellent recent form.
The York specialist has won on each of his previous three starts, including over a mile and one furlong by a length from El Drama in the G3 Strensall Stakes. Lack of form at Newmarket would raise questions this weekend.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/10/23 | NMK | 9 | Sft | 9-8 | 4 |
| 26/08/23 | YOR | 9 | GF | 9-7 | 1 |
| 17/08/23 | WDR | 10 | GF | 9-12 | 1 |
| 28/07/23 | YOR | 10.5 | GS | 9-5 | 1 |
| 15/07/23 | YOR | 10.5 | GS | 8-13 | 8 |
Daniel Tudhope takes the ride on Dubai Future for trainer Saeed bin Suroor this weekend. The seven-year-old will be making his return to action following a long break, as he was last seen finishing seven lengths behind Mostahdaf in the G3 Neom Turf Cup in February.
Proven over this distance, but looks vulnerable against race-fit rivals.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/02/23 | JAN | 10.5 | GF | 9-0 | 2 |
| 03/02/23 | MEY | 9 | Gd | 9-0 | 5 |
| 13/01/23 | MEY | 9 | Gd | 9-0 | 2 |
| 18/11/22 | BHR | 10 | Gd | 9-2 | 1 |
| 17/09/22 | NBY | 11 | Gd | 9-5 | 3 |
Highland Avenue will be Charlie Appleby's runner in the race this weekend, with William Buick taking the ride. The five-year-old should be bang there based on ratings, but his winless run would be a very clear concern.
Highland Avenue is without a win on the turf since scoring over course and distance in the Feilden Stakes in April 2021.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/10/23 | NMK | 9 | Sft | 9-5 | 1 |
| 22/07/23 | NBY | 10 | Gd | 9-8 | 4 |
| 20/06/23 | ASC | 10 | Gd | 9-5 | 4 |
| 03/06/23 | EPS | 8.5 | GF | 9-8 | 2 |
| 07/05/23 | NMK | 10 | Sft | 9-2 | 3 |
George Boughey’s runner in the race this weekend is Raadobarg. The five-year-old was last seen finishing third of eight over a mile at Sandown in the Fortune Stakes.
He steps back up in trip this weekend for the first time since finishing ninth of 16 in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is without a win in 12 efforts in stakes company.
William Knight-trained Sir Busker will be the ride of Jim Crowley at Newmarket on Saturday. The seven-year-old could be a solid contender at a big price this weekend after returning to action at the end of last month when seventh of eight in the Fortune Stakes at Sandown.
However, his only win since the start of 2022 in 12 efforts was scored over a mile and two furlongs at York last July.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/10/23 | NMK | 9 | Sft | 9-5 | 9 |
| 20/09/23 | SAN | 8 | Sft | 9-6 | 7 |
| 25/03/23 | MEY | 9 | Gd | 9-0 | 10 |
| 25/02/23 | JAN | 10.5 | GF | 9-0 | 9 |
| 04/02/23 | LIN | 8 | St | 9-2 | 2 |
James Doyle takes the ride on Simon & Ed Crisford-trained Knight on Saturday. The three-year-old has been in competitive form this season since being gelded, most recently losing by a head against Chindit in the Fortune Stakes.
He’s been hitting the crossbar a lot this season, but the step up in trip firmly sees him emerge as a solid contender.
Marco Botti’s runner in the race this weekend is Maximilian Caesar. Stefano Cherchi will take the ride on the three-year-old, who could be an interesting outside on Saturday.
He was last seen landing victory over a mile and two at Doncaster on soft ground by a neck from Westerton in the Wipes Handicap. The step back in trip shouldn’t be an issue.
Padishakh is the runner for Roger Varian in the race at Newmarket on Saturday. David Egan takes the ride on the three-year-old, who could be a lively chance based on ratings if he can get back to his best. He has been gelded since his previous effort at Deauville when finishing fifth of eleven behind Brave Emperor.
But, the step back up to a mile and one could make him very interesting after scoring over the distance in France last year, before finishing two lengths behind Big Rock in the G3 Prix la Force in April.
Finley Marsh takes the ride on Real Gain this weekend for trainer Richard Hiughes. The three-year-old is one of just two runners with previous winning form over course and distance, landing the Dubai Handicap by over five lengths from Island Bandit last month.
He has won three from four, and looks a really solid chance this weekend.
Dylan Cunha’s runner in the race on Saturday is Silver Sword. The three-year-old was back in fifth over a mile at Sandown last month in the Fortune Stakes, but he has recorded three wins over a mile this term.
The latest of those was scored at York in late August, beating Catch The Paddy by just under a length in the Mile Handicap.
