Saturday 26th September 2026
1.22 Newmarket – (Class 2 Nursery Handicap) (7f)
This opener could feature several nice types; Sierra Belle, Al Samsama, and Polyxena are all open to considerable improvement. However, I’ve sided with experience and taken a chance on Fire Thunder for Marco Botti and Silvestre De Sousa, a duo that teamed up for success here on Friday in the Rockel Stakes. This two-year-old filly had a string of seconds to her name in maiden company before opening her account at skinny odds at Lingfield on her fourth attempt. She took a big step forward on her second start within handicap company last time out, keeping on well to finish just a nose second of six on the July Course here. She’s just a pound higher for this particular assignment, and that has to make her of interest, with further progression likely.
Selection: Fire Thunder – (11/2) (Each-Way)
(4 places – Bet365)
1.55 Newmarket – (Royal Lodge Stakes) (G2) (1m)
A step up in grade at 1.55 with the Royal Lodge, and we could well have a couple of potential stars at the top of the betting. I’ve come down on Burning Up on this occasion for Karl Burke and Clifford Lee. He comes into the race having looked smart when winning both of his starts within maiden & novice company, both of which came at Haydock. Last time out, he and the second-placed horse pulled well clear of the third, and I think he’s well worth his chance up in class, and I’ll chance him to just edge out the equally as exciting Godolphin charge, First Law.
Selection: Burning Up – (3/1) (Win)
2.27 Newmarket – (Cheveley Park Stakes) (G1) (6f)
This year’s Cheveley Park has thrown up an outstanding renewal, with three top-class fillies dominating the top of the market. Out of those three, I think that Sun Goddess is the one who could well come out on top for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s already a dual Group 1 winner, having won the Phoenix Stakes, as well as the Moyglare Stud Stakes at Irish Champions Weekend last week, and she also overcame a less-than-promising position to win a valuable sales race at York by six lengths. She’ll need to overcome a length to defeat to Libertango from Royal Ascot here; however, I think she’s progressed markedly since then. Senorita Bonita has also developed into a very smart type as of late, winning the Group 1 Prix Morny by four lengths last time out; she’s also a massive player.
Selection: Sun Goddess – (13/8) (Win) (NB)
3.00 Newmarket – (Middle Park Stakes) (G1) (6f)
The Middle Park doesn’t look quite as strong as the Cheveley Park; however, there could still be a very smart type at the top of the market with Inner City Blues, for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, who are synonymous with success around here. He looked useful when winning on debut at York in June, and solidified that promise when winning the Group 2 July Stakes on the July Course by a length and a quarter, getting the better of a much more experienced and solid yardstick, in Adaay Of Scarlett in the process. There’s likely a lot more to come from him, and he could post a very bold bid here. Irish raider Push The Button is also unbeaten in two starts, getting the better of Royal Ascot winner Great Barrier Reef last time out, and he could prove the main danger.
Selection: Inner City Blues – (7/4) (Win) (NAP)
