The feature race from this afternoon's Newbury card is the Fillies' Listed St Hugh's Stakes and Explosive Lady (3.55) reverts to the minimum trip having finished third in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot over six last time. That form was given a boost when the fourth Muraaqaba won the Sweet Solera at Newmarket last weekend, and the selection is open to further improvement after just two career starts. It would appear that connections favour Newbury over five rather than a crack at the Lowther at York next week.
There is a very competitive stayers' handicap on the card and Eshtiaal is beginning to look well handicapped and would be of interest if the market spoke in his favour. I am afraid of the forecast showers for Phaenomena and the 3-y-old Epsom Hill (3.20) put up a career best performance when scoring over 12f last time on rain softened ground in the manner of a progressive stayer. He has been given a 10lb hike for that effort but got worked up in the stalls and is clearly in good heart at present.
The beautifully bred Too The Stars cost 800,000 Euros as a yearling and was backed on debut but she was too green to do herself justice and was well beaten. Her pedigree suggests rain would not help her cause and preference is for Blue Waltz (5.00) runner up in both career starts over a mile including at Ascot last month behind John Gosden's Solar Magic who subsequently disappointed at Haydock. The step up in trip should suit the selection who should not be inconvenienced if the rain arrives.
Friday summer night's means racing on the July course and Fieldsman (5.25) can break his duck at the third attempt having finished third in what is usually a hot Goodwood maiden last time for Ed Dunlop whose string are all performing very well.
No surprise to see Lady Cecil step Sunrise Star (6.00) back up in distance having got going too late on her handicap debut over five at Nottingham last time. Apprentice Louis Steward is good value for his 5lbs claim and I would be disappointed if she didn't go close back up in trip. The classic generation have won the corresponding race twice in the last three years and she might be open to more improvement after just five career starts.
Arabian Oasis is an interesting newcomer for Charlie Appleby and will wear the first colours of Godolphin but Best Of Times (6.30) in the same ownership holds some fancy entries at the end of the season, is bred to appreciate the extra furlong of his debut here last month and has that valuable racecourse experience.
Felwah (8.05) drops back a furlong having looked a non-stayer over a mile at Ascot last time when bidding for her hat-trick and she can score for William Haggas whose yard have, arguably, been in the best form of any so far this season. He doesn't have a horse rated under 70 in his care and no surprise if he gets more and more of the leading owners using his considerable talents.
At Nottingham Sacred Square will be all the rage under a 6lb penalty in the last but I thought the Brighton race he won recently rather fell apart and am keen to take him on. In the hope there is a bit of rain in the East Midlands I think Zarosa (5.20) can go well for Katie Margarson. The mare won off this current mark last April and ran well considering she was very keen when runner up at Carlisle earlier in the month. I would be disappointed if she were out of the three.
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