Rory Delargy

NEWMARKET SATURDAY

2.00 JUDDMONTE ROYAL LODGE STAKES (1M)

One thing for punters to note at Newmarket is the state of the ground, and although the official description on Thursday was good to soft, our own Simon Rowlands was of the opinion that the ground was riding a fair degree quicker, even when taking a slight tailwind into consideration, and the forecast makes it probable that the surface will be on the firm side of good by Saturday afternoon.

It’s easy to make a case for the unbeaten Aidan O’Brien youngster Deauville – after all, this brother to recent Newbury Arc Trial winner The Corsican found plenty when disposing of Sanus Per Aquam in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown, looking as if a step up to a mile would eke out a fair bit more from him, and that form was advertised when the runner-up won a thrilling Somerville Tattersall Stakes here on Thursday.

The fact that Ryan Moore also takes the mount on Deauville ought to ensure he goes off short, but the claims of Foundation are of equal merit on paper, and it’s possible that John Gosden’s son of sire of the moment Zoffany will do better.

He certainly impressed when quickening past rivals at Haydock last time, the effort more notable as the leader was able to set a modest gallop, and was at a theoretical advantage given the run of the race.

On the other hand, Foundation was slowly away there, as he had been on debut, and he shows plenty of knee action, so wouldn’t be certain to handle either the drying ground or the more undulating track at Newmarket.

2.35 CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS CHEVELEY PARK STAKES (6F)

Illuminate proved a nose too good for Besharah in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July, and is the only one of the principals with an unblemished record, but there is little doubt that the runner-up has improved further since then, taking the Princess Margaret at Ascot prior to beating Lumiere in the Lowther, and that last piece of form is arguably the best by a juvenile filly all season.

It’s exciting to see all three given their chance, and it will be a surprise if they don’t dominate the finish, as Alice Springs looks unlikely to appreciate the drop to six furlongs, and the others have a mountain to climb on form.

Besharah may have been helped in the Lowther by the fact that Lumiere blazed a trail at a speed she couldn’t quite maintain, and Mark Johnson’s grey filly had won most impressively at the July Meeting on her debut.

It’s possible that Lumiere will progress another chunk on just her third start, but Besharah isn’t standing still, and is thriving on what has been a vigorous campaign, and she’s taken to prove herself the best of her generation by upholding York form, and avenging her earlier defeat at the hands of Illuminate, who may give her most to do.

3.10 JUDDMONTE MIDDLE PARK STAKES (6F)

Shalaa cannot be opposed in the Middle Park given his rate of improvement, and while it usually pays to oppose July Stakes winners in this contest (First Trump in 1993 is the only one to complete the double in the modern era), that policy looks unwise this time around, especially as Shalaa comes here having won the Prix Morny on his latest start, a race with a rich history of throwing up the winner of this particular event, with Dutch Art, Bushranger, Dream Ahead and Reckless Abandon all successful in both races in the last decade alone.

3.50 BETFRED cambridge-shire (1m1f)

It’s taking something of a gamble that his stands-side draw is not a hindrance, but there’s a lot to like about the chances of Earth Drummer, who has form over further, but travels strongly in his races, and could be perfectly suited by this intermediate trip, a notion backed up by a most eyecatching run at York last time when he travelled best of all before his effort petered out in the dying strides.

It was probably no help to him to race alone on the outer rail at York, and he was looked after when his chance of winning had gone.

He’s had a light campaign which augurs well for his chances of showing his best form, as is the fact that he improved last autumn, winning at Ayr’s Western Meeting and again at Wolverhampton in December. It’s a fact worth remembering that he was too backward to run as a juvenile and only made his racecourse bow in April last year for Jim Bolger.

For that reason, he’s more likely than most of his age to improve beyond his current mark, and it’s expected that he will enjoy a productive autumn campaign once again.

It’s more than possible that low draws will have an edge and therefore it may pay to save on one on the far side, with Brendan Brackan looking overpriced at 50/1 in a place (40/1 general).

Ger Lyons’ rangy son of Big Bad Bob was a winner off his current mark at Galway as a four-year-old, and caught the eye weaving through horses to be nearest at the finish in the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh four weeks ago.

He’s another for whom nine furlongs will suit better than a bare mile, and this Group 3 winner doesn’t deserve to be among the rags.

MARKET RASEN

SATURDAY

2.50 RACING FX PRELUDE CHASE (2M5F89Y)

Oscar Rock took well to fences last season, looking one of the best prospects in the north with wins at Newcastle and Kelso when fitted with blinkers, and he was unfortunate to come down (jumped into another rival and lost his footing) at Ayr’s big spring festival thereafter.

As a result of that mishap he’s not given the handicapper a chance to punish him, which may prove a blessing in his second season.

A mark of 147 isn’t exactly a gimme but he appeals as being a cut above most of his rivals in terms of talent, and is readily preferred to those who have been on the go in the summer.

The main danger, if fully wound up, could be Cloud Creeper, who was thriving when last seen in the spring, and will appreciate the slight drop in trip having been outslogged on easy ground at Haydock in May.