Newmarket Friday Preview - 12/10/2018

True Mason 5/2

The opening race is the Group 3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes. This 5f sprint has attracted 14 runners and we are siding with likely favourite TRUE MASON.

The two-year-old Colt has been contesting higher grade races than this and has hit the frame in Group 1 and Group 2 level.

This form should make him extremely hard to beat and see him grab his first victory since June. Prince of Rome could be good value to chase him home and looks overpriced at 25/1.

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 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes. This Group 3 for Fillies over 7f has a large amount of unexposed sorts, the most interesting of which is the Aiden O'Brien runner FROSTY.

The two-year-old out of Galileo looked a classy prospect when winning a 7f race at Dundalk in September.

Whilst this is a far stronger race she looks an extremely solid selection based on the manner of that victory.

Limato 2/1

LIMATO can win the Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes. The Henry Candy runner had a remarkable loss of form which dates back to his victory in this race last year.

However in August and September he bagged two Listed races and looked something like the horse that has won multiple group races over his impressive career.

Any kind of repeat of his performance here last year will see him win this race again.

Antonia De Vega 7/2

The feature race of the day is the bet365 Fillies Mile. This Group 1 for two-year-olds has only attracted eight runners.

Whilst there is an argument for a number of entrants we are banking on ANTONIA DE VEGA to take the step up to Group 1 level in her stride and win for Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley.

She is unbeaten from two starts including the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. That is the strongest form in this race and she is rightly installed as favourite.

Astronomer 7/2

It is back down to handicap level in the bet 365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap. There are only eleven runners and this looks a good opportunity for ASTRONOMER to make it a five-timer.

Whilst all of her wins have come at a lower level across the Irish Sea, the last three runs have been won with plenty to spare.  Whilst he is weighted accordingly the horse really could be anything.

Mary Somerville

The Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies Stakes see's a large amount of unraced horses go to post. However we are siding with one of those that has race experience.

MARY SOMERVILLE came second on debut at Kempton in a race she could easily have won. She is the selected mount of Frankie Dettori and her breeding indicates a race like this should be well within her capabilities.

Whilst it is impossible to confidently ascertain the ability of the others, this Galileo Filly looks the safest selection.

Heritage

Next up it is Division II of the Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies Stakes. Again we are siding with one of the horses with experience in the shape of HERITAGE.

The Clive Cox runner has by far and away the best form of those that have experience and her second in a maiden at Salisbury looks solid form.

This is a lower grade race and looks at the mercy of the two-year-old out of Oasis Dream.

Chain of Daises

The final race of the day is the Jumeirah Al Qasr Pride Stakes. This Listed race has ten horses of a variety of ages and we are going for the oldest horse in the race.

Six-year-old CHAIN OF DAISES has won this race twice before and has a great chance to complete a hat-trick. On her penultimate start she won in this grade by seven lengths at Salisbury.

Her last run must be ignored when everything that could go wrong did. She can get her nose back in front and complete a good day for Henry Candy and Harry Bentley.