James Doyle picked up a seven-day ban in Australia on Saturday, but the jockey did win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes aboard Jungle Cat for Godolphin at Caulfield. Doyle will be able to ride at Newmarket on Saturday when there are two Group 1 races, but the feature is the first leg of the autumn double the Cambridgeshire over nine furlongs.
David Barron’s Kynren (10/1 at BetVictor) and Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old Kenya (14/1 at BetVictor) are two of the market leaders although I feel Roger Varian holds a strong hand with UAE Prince, Daira Prince and Sharja Bridge all 16/1 and I will be very interested to see who stable jockey Andrea Atzeni rides at HQ.
Very Talented (12/1 with BetVictor) finished third in the race two years ago and had his first start since at Chelmsford on Thursday when running out a fluent winner. Two runs in nine days following a near two-year lay-off is asking an awful lot but he looked a group horse to me and a 4lb penalty means he is guaranteed a run. He is 16/1 with BetVictor.
There is a good card at Kempton this afternoon and Ryan Moore could have a very good day. No surprise to see Gold At Midnight (4.10) drop back in trip having failed to stay over a mile here under Moore last month. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute the filly can make it third time lucky having stayed on over 6f at Leicester on debut. This intermediate trip ought to suit although a draw in stall ten (of 11) is a negative.
Polybius (4.40) is ridden by Andrea Atzeni for the first time having again hinted that his turn was near when a close second at Yarmouth on Thursday. That was a truly run race, but Jamie Spencer did appear to overdo the waiting tactics and David Simcock’s seven-year-old is 9lbs lower than when last successful. He did win this corresponding race four years ago from a 5lbs higher mark.
Radio Source (5.10) attracted support on his belated seasonal debut when a staying on fifth at Lingfield (7f) for an inexperienced claimer and the winner followed up at Newmarket on Saturday. Moore takes over in the saddle this afternoon on his handicap debut and the step up to a mile should suit. He gets the nod in a cracking race although his opening mark is no more than fair.
Radio Source races from a mark of 83 and Nawar (5.40) who finished just in front of the selection at Lingfield – receiving 7lbs – has been given an opening mark of 69. Roger Charlton’s lightly-raced 3-y-old also gave the impression another furlong would suit at Lingfield – a race that was his first since being gelded.
At Newcastle Formula One (5.30) steps back up to the trip he broke his maiden at Ffos Las on his penultimate start, having run well in a decent novice contest over 10f here last time under a penalty. A draw in stall nine is a negative but Ben Curtis has ridden him in all three career starts and he gets the vote for Hugo Palmer.
Material Girl (6.30) drops back a furlong having run well for a long time at Newmarket on debut. The form is nothing out of the ordinary despite the winner having since scored at Ascot. The selection looks to have most to fear from Simon Crisford’s Aldana who finished runner up at Haydock on soft ground at this 6f trip earlier in the month.
Turgenev (7.00) holds an entry in the Doncaster Gp 1 over a mile formerly known as the Racing Post Trophy. Frankie Dettori travels north for just the one ride and he gets the vote in what promises to be a most informative juvenile contest.
For all your racing odds go to BetVictor.com
