GODOLPHIN and Coolmore have been locking horns all week at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, and that rivalry will continue into today’s prominent two-year-old action just down the road at Newmarket.

Only five go to post in the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes (3.00). Two hail from Godolphin, favourite Desert Castle and dual-winning outsider Jassas (both Charlie Appleby-trained) and another two represent Coolmore, Group 1 Golden Fleece Stakes scorer Darkness Falls and Coventry Stakes hero Great Barrier Reef (both Aidan O’Brien).

Layers make unbeaten Champagne Stakes winner Desert Castle the odds-on favourite, with William Buick riding the Frankel colt for the first time in public this weekend. He very much falls into the ‘could be anything’ category.

“Desert Castle was more professional at Doncaster compared to his debut and I think he has come forward again since,” said Appleby, who is seeking his fourth Dewhurst win in eight years.

“We are taking on a horse who is already a Group 1 winner in Darkness Falls, but we are pleased with our horse and how he has developed. It looks a good race and we are looking forward to it.”

On the market leader’s stablemate, Appleby added: “Jassas broke his maiden at Doncaster and then disappointed at Deauville, which we put down to the travelling. He put up a nice effort under a penalty at Haydock and should help keep things straightforward.”

Autumn aces

The Group 3 Emirates Autumn Stakes (2.25) has been a happy hunting ground for the boys in blue. Having won seven of the last 10 runnings, including with Coroebus and Ghaiyyath, they will attempt to add to that haul with Rock Montreal (Roger Varian) and Al Jabbar (Charlie Appleby). It was a taking winning introduction from Rock Montreal, by Blue Point, in a Yarmouth novice event in August, before coming up just a head short in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes. He still very much shaped like a promising sort in defeat.

Varian said: “I have been more than happy with the condition of Rock Montreal since he ran a fine race at Doncaster. His recent work has been pleasing and he shapes like a mile on good ground should suit him well.

“I think he is a high-class colt and I am looking forward to running him.”

On Al Jabbar, who beat recent Curragh winner Hmas Perth in a valuable Doncaster maiden on his second and most recent start, Appleby added: “He improved with the step up to a mile at Doncaster. We are pitching him into stakes company to see where we are, but we know he sees the trip out and I think he is versatile in terms of ground.”