ITV Racing Preview - 12/10/2018

Prince of Rome 25/1

The first of seven live races on ITV is the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes, and PRINCE OF ROME can bid for a hat-trick of wins by scoring here under William Buick, who takes over from Shane Kelly.

This grey son of Lethal Force has won back-to-back races at Chelmsford convincingly over the past six weeks and will seek to transition that to the turf.

Has some high skilled opponents with better ratings, but looks progressive and can build on his minimal racecourse knowledge.

Frosty 9/4

Next up is the The Godolphin Liftetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes, a Group 3 for Fillies over 7f, and the eye is drawn to FROSTY, should she be declared for this race.

A full-sister to Winter – last year’s 1000 Guineas victor, she got off to the best of starts when winning on debut at Dundalk.

She also holds a Fillies Mile entry, but O’Brien is already heavily represented in that race and is expected to feature here. If she is anything like Winter, she will be a class apart from these.

Get Knotted

We head to the Knavesmire for two races at York, firstly the Racebets Handicap Stakes, and GET KNOTTED who loves it round here can score for Callum Rodriguez and Michael Dods.

Five of his last six outtings have been here, which included success back in July off a mark of 95. He is currently only 2lbs higher than that at the moment, and ran a mighty race when finishing fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup in heavy conditions.

Trainer has five winners in the past two weeks, which included Mabs Cross in the Abbaye last Sunday. Should go close here.

Limato 2/1

LIMATO, who missed out at Ascot on Saturday due to worries over the ground, looks the standout name in Race 3; the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes.

The forecast looks set to be good ground which means Henry Candy’s sprinter looks set to take his place, but anything on the soft side and we can expect another withdrawal. This horse has returned to winning ways since being dropped back to 6f.

Despite being a half-brother to a QEII winner (Summoner), he has never appeared to last the mile trip, and since returning to his preferred trip, we have seen the Limato of old. Should go close.

Antonio De Vega 7/2

The feature race of the day is undoubtedly the Bet365 Fillies' Mile – a Group 1 contest, for fillies over a mile (fairly self-explanatory).

This race usually provides the future contenders for next year’s 1000 Guineas, and in the past two running’s of this race, both winners of the Fillies Mile have gone on to finish runner up in the main race. Last year Laurens won this race and went onto win a further four Group 1’s.

Favourites have a good record here, and we are going to stick with ANTONIO DE VEGA for Ralph Beckett who is currently the market leader. Currently, two from two, this daughter of the great Lope de Vega has already won at Newmarket this season on her debut and is held in high regard.

Surya

SURYA – a son of Frankel, looks a special one to note down, as he heads to York for the Racebets.Com Handicap Stakes.

Two easy victories at Haydock on his previous two outtings has seen him climb up to an official rating of 97. He has only raced six times and is only a 3yo, so there looks much more to come in the future.

John Gosden is absolutely flying at the moment, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he lands another one here with Lady Bamford’s colt.

Astronomer 7/2

The Bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap Stakes, a Heritage Handicap over 12 furlongs always springs up a surprise, but it’ll be no surprise if Aidan O’Brien trained ASTRONOMER is in the mix towards the finish.

This horse has gone from strength-to-strength by winning four on the bounce, and has an RPR of 114. Would prefer some rain, but I think even with his youth, he has got the beating of many of these experienced handicappers.