Newbury 14:00 JLT Aston Park Stakes
Luca Cumani took last year's renewal with Drunken Sailor and is represented by the highest rated horse in today's field, IBICENCO. Formerly with Jens Hirschberger in Germany, he was placed in Group races behind the likes of Meandre and Campanologist last term and may well be good enough to land this on his UK debut. Nehaam ended last season with a fourth behind Fame And Glory at Ascot and makes more appeal than winning handicapper Hawaafez, who wears his owners second colours, while Junoob and Dreamspeed will need the principals to run below par if they're to get involved. Winning hurdler Meganisi will pick up some prize money wherever he finishes but it's unlikely to be in the first three.
Newmarket 14:15 poptelecom.co.uk Fairway Stakes
NOBLE MISSION will probably always be labelled Frankel's brother but he's a progressive colt in his own right and, though facing a stiff task with his penalty for landing a Listed contest here a fortnight ago, can continue his upward curve before heading for Epsom. Thought Worthy is also in the Derby and it was a good effort to chase home Imperial Monarch on very testing ground in the Classic Trial at Sandown. There's no reason why this better going won't suit and he's a big threat. Farhaan started favourite for the Royal Lodge after his earlier victories but didn't run well and isn't certain to stay the trip on breeding. Rugged Cross looked a potentially useful performer when gaining a surprise victory in a strong York maiden in August but Prince Alzain didn't look quite up to this when beaten in a Polytrack Listed event at Lingfield.
Newbury 14:30 bluesq.com Handicap
Despite some good efforts in decent handicap sprints, Mac's Power failed to get his head in front last year and the assessor has seen fit to drop him only a stingy-looking 1lb. He should still be thereabouts again though while The Confessor is another seemingly treading water off his current mark. Bertiewhittle won three times last year and looks to have every chance under the in-form Jimmy Fortune but WHAILEYY has shown rapid progress this year. He almost defied a 10lb rise for a win at Kempton when beaten only a short-head by Alben Star last time and gets the nod here with Palace Moon and Swiss Cross making most appeal of the remainder.
Newmarket 14:45 coralchampionsclub.co.uk Sprint Trophy Handicap
It's no surprise to find that just one favourite has won this in the past ten years. Mince may be handed that poisoned chalice after a cracking reappearance behind Red Quartet here when Democretes was a couple of lengths behind. That looks strong form and the placed horses should be kept on the right side but fifth-placed Hurry Up George looks held. Bartolomeu has impressed on Polytrack and there's no reason why he shouldn't progress again on Turf while Pea Shooter gained many admirers when scooting home in a York maiden in September. Heeraat looked in need of the run on his return here last month and will strip fitter and there's definitely much better to come from Rafeej, who finished tailed off in heavy going at Sandown. Richard Fahey won this last year and can repeat the process with KIMBALI, who caught the eye in no uncertain terms at Chester and will be very much better suited by today's track.
Newbury 15:05 Blue Square London Gold Cup Handicap
Plenty with claims in a highly competitive handicap but we'll play safe and plump for REWARDED. Handed a walkover at Sandown last month, he was effectively making his seasonal debut when scoring at Newmarket a fortnight ago and will appreciate today's extra distance. Others arriving on the back of a win include the returning Thomas Chippendale and the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned pair Hajras and Almuftarris while Hurricane In Dubai and Expense Claim were both narrow margin winners last time. Trader Jack and Al Saham disappointed on their latest starts but recent Musselburgh third Clayton can be thrown into the mix in a wide-open affair.
Newbury 15:40 JLT Lockinge Stakes
FRANKEL embarks on his four-year-old season and there's no reason why it shouldn't be as exciting as the previous two. Currently rated the best horse in the world, Sir Henry Cecil's unbeaten colt had the measure of the best of today's opposition when rattling up four straight Group 1 victories last year and his trainer reports him fully recovered from a minor setback in training. Excelebration matured into a top-class miler under the care of Marco Botti last season and won his first start for new trainer Aidan O'Brien at the Curragh recently. He chased home Frankel on a couple of occasions last term and looks like doing so today ahead of the returning Strong Suit. The latter has surpassed stablemate Dubawi Gold at this level and the remainder look only bit players as the main act takes centre stage.
