Saturday 12th October 2019

Author: Jordan Yates

Images: Jordan Yates

It’s Dewhurst Day at Newmarket and I’m starting my Saturday Preview with the 2:20 which is the Group 3 Zetland Stakes which takes place over a mile and two furlongs. The one I’m siding with here is VOLKAN STAR for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, he made all in comfortable fashion the last day at Goodwood building on a close up second-place effort here on debut. It’s likely he could be another smart one for top connections. The main rival looks to be Aidan O’Brien’s Mythical who was a wide-margin winner last time out and the yard has won the last two runnings of this particular race.

Next up is the 2:55 which is the Group 3 Autumn Stakes over a mile and it’s another Charlie Appleby trained horse I like here in the form of AL SUHAIL, who’s also set to be ridden by William Buick. He ran a very solid race the last day in the Group 3 Solario Stakes staying on strongly at the end to finish third, he gave the impression that this step up in trip will be right up his street and it would be no surprise to see him put in a big effort here. One of my favourite novices of the season has been Cherokee Trail who tries his hand here up in grade, he’s made a big impression in winning his two starts so far this term and I expect him to progress further here under Frankie Dettori.

The Dewhurst Stakes takes centre stage next at 3:30 a Group 1 contest over a mile and this looks almost impossible to oppose the hugely impressive PINATUBO who’s taken all before him so far this season. Winner of the Chesham, Woodcote, Vintage and National Stakes he really has taken everything in his stride and justifies his position at the top of the market here at heavily odds on. I do think Wichita could well give him a lot to think about though, he himself was mightily impressive here the last day when winning a Group 3 and looks very likely to be another star for Aidan O’Brien.

After the Dewhurst has concluded we have the Cesarewitch Heritage Handicap which takes place at 4:10 and is ridden over a mammoth trip of two miles and two furlongs. Willie Mullins won the race last year with Low Sun and I’ve sided with the Closutton master to do the business again in this year’s renewal this time with BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP, who’s set to be ridden by Franke Dettori. He went close at Royal Ascot when well fancied in a big field handicap and has since gone on to win at Galway and run another solid race in defeat the last day at Leopardstown. Neither the ground or the trip will be an issue and another bold showing would come as no surprise.