Friday 9th October 2020

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Welcome to this week’s Preview where instead of doing the runner by runner guides I’ll be doing a more old school style of blog. I’ll be taking a look at all the Group races that take place on Friday and sharing who I think the most likely winners will be. Enjoy! 

Jordan

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The first Group race of the afternoon comes from York at 1.35 and is the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes which takes place over a mile and four furlongs. This race looks to revolve solely around LOGICIAN for John Gosden. Last year’s St Leger winner made his belated return to the track at Doncaster last month when getting the better of just one rival in Mythical Magic with minimal fuss by seven lengths. He’s very short here and should prove too good for another small field, the main rival looks to come in the form of Highland Chief who was second in the Great Voltigeur here in August.

LOGICIAN (1/4)

(Finishing Position: Unplaced)

Next up we move to Newmarket for the 1.50 which is the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes over five furlongs. I think METHOD can bounce back here for Martyn Meade and Oisin Murphy. Previously unbeaten in two starts before a mishap in the saddle the last day in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes cost him all chance. Despite this still being in a tough contest this is calmer waters than his previous assignment and if getting more luck on this occasion he’s every chance of a bold showing under the champion jockey.

METHOD (2/1)

(Finishing Position: 2nd)

Moving onto the 2.25 which is another Group 3 affair this time in the form of the Oh So Sharp Stakes. This is a very competitive renewal of the seven furlong event for fillies and I’ve taken a chance on NAZUNA for Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni. I actually put her up when she finished second at Doncaster at the St Leger Meeting and she followed that solid effort up with another when second behind the smart Isabella Giles here in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes last month. That’s about the best form on offer here and if running to that kind of level again she’s could well go close. There’s a whole host of them that are dangers, most notably the Irish raider Thinking Of You for Joseph O’Brien. She was third in the Group 3 Weld Stakes last time and looks highly progressive, Ryan Moore is booked.

NAZUNA (11/4)

(Finishing Position: Non-Runner)

The 3.00 at Newmarket is the next Group race of the afternoon and this is the Group 2 Challenge Stakes which is contested over a distance of seven furlongs. Another extremely competitive affair with the entirety of the field not separated by much in the betting, I’ve sided with the Roger Varian trained DAAHYEH who’s to be ridden by David Egan. She hasn’t been seen since finishing second at the Breeders Cup last November and whilst I don’t normally back horses after a lay off she has the best form on offer in this race. She also has a fine record at Newmarket, winning the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes on her penultimate outing and if anywhere near that kind of form she’ll prove a big player here. Khaloosy is probably the main danger as he still has significant potential despite a couple of disappointing efforts lately.

DAAHYEH (7/1)

(Finishing Position: Unplaced)

The feature event of the day comes at 3:35 and is the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile. A fascinating renewal which see’s Irish duo Pretty Gorgeous and Shale sit prominently in the betting, both whom will be massive players here. I’m taking them on though with INDIGO GIRL for John Gosden and Robert Havlin. She’s a horse that has impressed me a lot in both of her starts to date, winning impressively on debut at Yarmouth before following up with a smart victory in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. She still looked to be learning on the job despite winning that day and I think we’ve yet to see the best of her and there’s a high possibility she’ll come on again here. Another horse I’m a big fan of is Isabella Giles, she won the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes here on her latest outing and should prove a big threat again here.

INDIGO GIRL (10/3)

(Finishing Position: 2nd)