Saturday 10th October 2026
1.15 Newmarket – (Darley Stakes) (G3) (1m 1f)
The Andrew Balding-trained HUMIDITY hasn’t been seen for over a year; however, he had some very smart form as a two-year-old. He won the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, and signed off his season with a very narrow defeat in the Solario Stakes, before an excellent length second to superstar Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge Stakes here. That level of form would be the best on offer here, and if he’s ready to go, he could post a bold bid. Andrew Balding also sends The Lost King here, and he’s a danger on the back of his second-placed efforts in the Superior Mile & Joel Stakes in his last two starts.
Humidity – (5/2) (Win)
1.30 York – (Rockingham Stakes) (Listed) (6f)
A competitive renewal of the Rockingham Stakes could go the way of CUT A DASH for the team of Richard Hannon and Sean Levey. He’s a Starspangledbanner colt who won on debut here at the Dante Meeting over five furlongs, and has since gone on to run with credit in a host of pattern races, notably his fourth-placed effort at Royal Ascot when just a length behind Great Barrier Reef in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes. Connections have always thought highly of him, and he should prove to be a serious player here, dropped back down into Listed company. Richard Hughes’ Agamemnon fits a similar profile and is equally respected here, dropped into Listed company following a string of solid efforts at Group level.
Cut A Dash – (4/1) (Win)
1.50 Newmarket – (Zetland Stakes) (G3) (1m 2f)
Aidan O’Brien has won this with the likes of Norway, Kew Gardens and as recently as last year with Pierre Bonnard, and he looks to have another incredibly strong chance this time around with DRUMBEAT, who’s the mount of Ryan Moore. He stayed on to force a dead-heat on his penultimate start before taking his form to the next level when third in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes last time out. He kept on well again that day, giving the impression that he should relish this step up in distance, and should be bang there. There will likely be several improvers in behind; Wykehurst Park could go well, as he looked potentially useful when winning at Yarmouth.
Drumbeat – (10/11) (Win) (NAP)
2.15 Naas – (3yo Maiden) (1m)
This looks like an excellent opportunity for Dermot Weld’s gelding ZELANI to open his account under Chris Hayes. He made his debut back in March when fifth behind Shaftesbury Avenue, and wasn’t seen until last month when posting an excellent effort to finish a head second of fourteen at Listowel. He kept to his task well that day, and there should be plenty of improvement still to come from him. He should go very close. Ridersinthesky sets the standard on all known form and is an obvious player, whilst there should also be more to come from Tax Me Later for Kevin Coleman.
Zelani – (4/5) (Win) (NB)
2.25 Newmarket – (Autumn Stakes) (G3) (1m)
This year’s renewal of the Autumn Stakes looks like a showdown between Godolphin and Ballydoyle, with the former potentially coming out on top with ROCK MONTREAL for Roger Varian and William Buick. He’s a big son of Blue Point who won impressively on debut, before stepping up to finish second in Listed company at Doncaster last time out. He kept on strongly that day, suggesting that this step up to a mile should suit, and he could develop into a very nice type. Listed winner Sergei Diaghilev looks the main danger for Aidan O’Brien; he was second behind Dewhurst favourite Desert Castle at Doncaster last time, and is also open to significant improvement.
Rock Montreal – (7/4) (Win)
3.40 Newmarket – (Cesarewitch) (Heritage Handicap) (2m 2f)
The Cesarewitch is one of the biggest betting handicaps of the flat season, and often one of the toughest from a punting perspective, with this year’s renewal no exception. Out of those at the top of the betting, last year’s winner Beylerbeyi holds obvious claims for Ian Williams, and it would be no surprise to see him follow up again this time around.
I’ve tried my hand with two at bigger prices, the first of which is NAVAL TRIBUTE for James Owen and George Wood. He’s a highly progressive five-year-old who’s now four out of six in handicap company following a win over two miles at Kempton last time out. He seems to relish a stamina test, and there’s a strong chance that there could be more to come from him here under a penalty.
At a massive price, I think that SHRIMP SHADY could outrun his odds for Andrew Balding. He won the Chester Plate over a distance half a furlong further than today’s trip, and also added another success in a competitive handicap at Newbury to his tally a couple of starts after. He didn’t fire at York last time out in August; however, that run may have come too soon after several big efforts, and he could resume progression here after a break.
Naval Tribute – (14/1) (Each-Way)
Shrimp Shady – (50/1) (Each-Way)
(5 places)
