Rory Delargy

NEWBURY SATURDAY

3:20 TORONADO CARNARVON STAKES (6F8Y)

Some of last season’s fastest juveniles are on show here, but it’s one who was unraced in 2015 who makes by far the most appeal. Sylvester Kirk’s Dream Dubai looked a very good prospect when winning on his belated debut at Lingfield last month, beating a subsequent winner in the process, and he confirmed that impression when runner-up in the Group 3 Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes at Ascot a fortnight later. To have achieved so much in such a short time is meritorious enough, but the pair he split at Ascot had been in the front rank throughout, whereas the son of Kyllachy was restrained early, and therefore did well to finish as close as he did in a race which didn’t suit such tactics. He looks better than the bare form, and is open to stacks of improvement, so should have the measure of some more exposed rivals provided he handles the ground at Newbury.

3:55 AL SHAQAB LOCKINGE STAKES (1M)

The Lockinge is a fascinating affair which revolves to a large degree around the unproven stamina of Limato, who is the most talented runner in the field on last year’s evidence. He looked a sprinter early last term but stayed on very strongly over seven furlongs on his last two starts, catching the eye with a whirlwind finish in the Prix de La Foret at Longchamp in October, and it may be that he will prove equally effective at a mile, in which case he’ll be hard to beat. I’d not want to take him on at the prices, but Henry Candy was in two minds as to whether to run in midweek.

Toormore is a solid performer at a mile, but he looked inferior to runner-up Dutch Connection at Sandown last time until the latter’s stamina ebbed away in the last 50 yards, and he looks opposable for win purposes here. If there is a star miler lurking in this race, it is probably Endless Drama, who looked one to follow at the top level when second to Gleneagles in the Irish 2000 Guineas last spring only for a hock injury to put him on the sidelines thereafter. Ger Lyons hasn’t rushed him back, and makes no secret of the high regard he holds the son of Lope De Vega in, as entries in a host of Group 1 races from the Eclipse to the July Cup testify. Punters are taking a chance that he recovers his form after injury, but I can’t see Lyons heading straight for this contest if his charge wasn’t showing all his old spark at home. In some ways, missing most of his three-year-old campaign might be a blessing for this rangy colt, who will have benefited from the opportunity to grow into his frame, and he’s almost certainly going to be the pick of the paddock if last year’s impression is any guide. Priced up in double figures, he looks well worth the risk, and could well be one of the stars of the summer.

4:30 AL ZUBARAH LONDON GOLD CUP (1M2F6Y)

This has proved a springboard for some high-class animals in recent years, with Al Kazeem and Time Test among the roll of honour. Whether there is a superstar in the field this time is open to debate, but Saeed Bin Suroor has a pair of promising middle-distance types on his hands in the shape of Ebtihaal and Good Run. The former still has a Derby entry and looked to be crying out for this trip when fifth in the Esher Cup at Sandown on his return, so merits serious consideration, but marginal preference is for his stablemate, who landed a warm nursery at Newmarket on his final 2015 outing, and looks to figure on a lenient mark on the basis of that run. Back in third there was the very promising Banksea, who upheld the form when runner-up at Ascot recently. Banksea looks the type to win big handicaps for Luca Cumani, and by extension, Good Run should also pay to follow. A wide draw is the only concern, but the high numbers dominated this race a year ago, and class is usually the deciding factor.

NEWMARKET SATURDAY

3:00 BETFAIR ACCA EDGE HANDICAP (1M6F)

Desert Encounter is clearly the one to beat here, but Resiliency could give him plenty to think about, and Mick Appleby’s charge, fourth in the corresponding event last season, arrives on the back of a solid run at Salisbury and can race off a 4lb lower mark than he did a year ago. He also has the benefit of George Buckell’s claim, and given he’s not yet fully exposed for his new yard, it would be no surprise if he could belatedly find improvement in handicaps.

3:35 BETFAIR CASH OUT KING CHARLES II STAKES (7F)

Thikriyaat is sure to be a warm order as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record, but he needed every yard of this trip when winning over course and distance last time, and already looks as a mile is his trip. With that in mind, he might prove vulnerable if this turns tactical, and the way the race is run lies in the hands of the excellent Adam Kirby, who takes the ride on Race Day, who has made the running on his last five starts and has the chance to dominate back on turf. He will be pigeonholed by some as a polytrack specialist, but ran a stormer when last seen on turf at Ascot, and should prove just as good on this surface as he is on the all-weather. He did too much in front when tried in a visor last time, but the refitting of cheekpieces and the deft touch of the astute Kirby gives him every chance of stealing a march on higher-rated rivals here.