Newbury Saturday Preview - 19/09/20

The first runner of the day for us at Newbury comes in the Class 5 Novice Stakes and our selection Mithras looks a very exciting prospect for John Gosden.

The juvenile has only been seen once before finishing fourth of 16 runners in what looks to be one of the hottest pieces of form at two year old level this season.

In that Sandown contest the second, third, fifth and sixth have all come out and won since franking the form massively, which can only be a bonus for this son of Dubawi who is sure to improve off the back of that run.

The Group Three Dubai Interntional Airport World Trophy Stakes really gets the ball rolling at Newbury at the weekend and in the five furlong event we like the look of Wise Words.

The James Tate trained filly has only been seen once this season having had a year off the track and returning at Doncaster in the Listed Scarbrough Stakes and running a nice race.

She finished a close up fourth of eight but having been off the track for a year it looks a much better run and she should come on for that on her second start here.

The first handicap of the day sees a smart field of runners heading to post and Starcat for Hughie Morrison is a horse we have stuck by all season and he is getting his last chance in this race.

The three year colt has ran to a decent level so far despite finishing last in the 2000 Guineas and finishing near the back of the field in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Two starts ago he showed signs of big ability when 5th of 11 in a handicap at Glorious Goodwood and having backed that up in a good handicap at Doncaster finishing fourth, his progressive nature should see him go well again.

He is still on a feasible mark and should be respected in this field.

The Legacy Cup Stakes over 1 mile 3 furlongs only sees four head to post and on form alone the favourite Extra Elusive should not be beat.

The Roger Charlton trained five year old has been superb this term, finishing second three starts ago in a Listed race at Newbury behind a nice type for John Gosden and then since backing that up with two consecutive wins.

The gelding went to Haydock and in a gritty performance landed the Group Three Rose Of Lancaster Stakes and after that stepped up again to see off Fox Chairman to take the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.

He seems to have found his level in these sorts of races and if running to form will be very tough to beat.

The feature race of the meeting is the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes that has been won in the past by some smart juveniles and Bahrain Pride for Simon and Ed Crisford can add to that list.

The son of Kodiac was a very expensive purchase as a foal and a yearling costing 425,000 gns all together and he has proved his worth to date by being unbeaten in both his starts.

The juvenile went to Windsor on his debut and in soft conditions saw off Fivethousandtoone for King Power Racing who has since franked the form.

He went to Ripon again on soft ground and landed a decent Listed race over six furlongs and with him progressing with every run, he has to be respected.

The final selection from us at Newbury comes in the Class 3 Heatherworld Stud Handicap over seven furlongs and Diocles Of Rome looks a very interesting runner.

The Ralph Beckett trained runner has shown his ability this season finishing a good fifth on seasonal debut before improving to come third in a strong handicap at Doncaster last weekend.

That run was over a mile and he drops back to seven furlongs for this run which is a big positive with all of his career wins coming at this trip.