Group Two Challenge Stakes Guide 2022

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
3(1)
William Buick

Pogo

J: William Buick
T: Charles Hills
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-5
OR: 113
Days: 48

Jockey William Buick won this race last year so that is a massive plus for this 6 year old colt. Somewhat of a 7f specialist in more recent times after dropping down in trip from many runs over a mile.

Made it 2-2 in June when he won a Group Three over course and distance, but has come up short in his last few runs since.

Has experience of running in Group Two contests, so it will not be a surprise to see him go fairly close here. Yard in good form so has to be respected.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
26/08/23YOR7GF9-810
19/08/23NBY7GS9-89
01/07/23NMK7Gd9-73
20/06/23ASC8Gd9-210
25/03/23MEY6Gd9-513
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
5(3)
David Egan

Internationalangel

J: David Egan
T: Jane Chapple-Hyam
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-2
OR: 106
Days: 40

She ran a huge race at Goodwood in July finishing just a head behind eventual winner Oscula who she faces again here. She was a whopping price of 66/1 that day so it was certainly a bit of a shock for some punters.

That was her second race where she has been involved within Group company, so she will have to produce another big run here to back that performance up.

Looks a big price and may be of an each way fancy, one to not ignore.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
09/07/23CFD7St9-25
21/06/23ASC8Gd9-210
04/03/23MEY7Gd8-93
03/02/23MEY8Gd9-06
06/01/23MEY7Gd8-98
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
2(2)
Richard Kingscote

Misty Grey

J: Richard Kingscote
T: Tom Dascombe
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-5
OR: 108
Days: 26

This 5 year old gelded son of Dark Angel just has not had the experience of running in such races before compared to some of the other rivals he faces here.

One win came over 6f this season, so it suggests he may not be good enough to stay the required trip of 7f.

May prefer more cut in the ground too with conditions looking likely to be the opposite of that. Easy to dismiss and a change in tactics will be needed.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
09/09/23HAY8Gd9-55
19/08/23NBY7GS9-85
10/08/23CHP7GS9-128
15/07/23CHS7Sft9-74
06/01/23MEY7Gd9-010
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
6(7)
Tom Marquand

Sacred

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-2
OR: 113
Days: 21

One of two for trainer William Haggas in this year’s renewal of the Group Two Challenge Stakes.

Showed a fair amount of promise as a 2 and 3 year old, especially last season winning two races over 7f where one was over this course and distance.

Failed to impress on reappearance, but has recently bounced back where she was victorious in a Newbury Class One Listed event.

She acts on good ground and may just have hit form again, worthy favourite with Tom Marquand taking the ride.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
26/08/23YOR7GF9-55
24/06/23ASC6GF9-22
13/05/23LIN7St9-61
07/10/22NMK7Gd9-22
16/09/22NBY7Gd8-131
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
1(4)
David Probert

Jumby

J: David Probert
T: Eve Johnson Houghton
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-8
OR: 110
Days: 21

Has won over course and distance, but that came last year so there is no real form to go off with this 4 year old colt. His only win so far this campaign was in a Group Two over 7f at Newbury.

Recent runs suggest he is totally out of form and has no chance here so he will have to improve to go close, hard to make a case for off top-weight.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
26/08/23YOR7GF9-89
01/07/23NMK7Gd9-102
10/06/23HAY7GF9-21
20/05/23NBY8Gd9-211
20/04/23NMK6Gd9-95
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
7(6)
Oisin Orr

Umm Kulthum

J: Oisin Orr
T: Richard Fahey
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-2
OR: 102
Days: 30

This filly got her career off to a flyer as she won on debut but did not look much of a progressive type last season.

She bounced back on reappearance winning a Class One Listed event at this course, then shortly followed that up with a good second in a Group Three at Doncaster last time out.

This may be a tough ask for her as she will have to improve and come on from that run upped in class here as she will be in Group Two company.

Needs a career best.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/09/22DON7Gd9-42
08/07/22YOR6GF9-67
18/06/22ASC6GF9-218
30/04/22NMK6Gd9-61
22/05/21HAY6Hy8-113
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
8(5)
Ryan Moore

Oscula

J: Ryan Moore
T: George Boughey
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 107
Days: 14

A talented filly who has shown signs of progression this campaign when she won a Group Three contest at Goodwood over this distance and then went overseas to Deauville not long after winning a Class One.

Did not show much at this course last time out, but that was a strong looking Group Two race. Has performed over a mile and 7f, so she can run a big race if she shows more consistency here.

Not totally out of things.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/10/22NMK7Gd9-07
23/09/22NMK8Gd8-135
20/08/22DEA8Gd9-03
15/08/22DEA8GS9-21
06/08/22HAY8Gd9-24
Newmarket - October 06 2022
Newmarket 14:00
4(8)
Andrea Atzeni

Purplepay

J: Andrea Atzeni
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-3
OR: 110
Days: 82

This filly is trainer William Haggas’ second runner in the race, but one who you cannot really make a strong case for.

She has been a regular runner over a mile and further with a drop in trip to 7f which could get more out of her.

She did win a Group Two at Chantilly, but failed to back that performance up on last two starts. Not sure what to expect over 7f with conditions potentially being a slight concern as she likes more juice in the ground.

Suppose she cannot be dismissed for top trainer.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
02/09/23SAN8Gd9-66
12/08/23HAY8GS9-42
11/07/23PON8Gd9-23
08/04/23RAN8Sft9-015
11/03/23RSH7.5Gd8-612