It is probably too early to see a baton being passed, but Aidan O’Brien’s two runners in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket on Friday are big outsiders while his sons, Donnacha and Joseph, saddle two of the first three in the betting in Shale and Pretty Gorgeous.
They were separated by less than a length when one-two in the seven-furlong Moyglare Stud Stakes last time, and both could improve at Friday’s trip. John Gosden’s unbeaten Indigo Girl is also vying for favouritism, but did not beat the strongest of fields at Doncaster last time.
Isabella Giles, meanwhile, is relatively unconsidered at around
1-2, as Clive Cox’s runners frequently are. She was a convincing Rockfel winner last time, however, recording a good time in the process, and could well be over-priced to give her trainer a third Group One in 2020.
York 1.35 The unbeaten Logician, last year’s St Leger winner, has been odds-on for his last five starts and today will be no different against three outclassed rivals.
Newmarket 1.50 Method was fancied for the Middle Park last time but finished last after his saddle slipped early on. He is still an the obvious pick on form but drops back to five furlongs and is on soft ground for the first time so improving Atalis Bay, who won a nursery in a strong time to complete a hat-trick latest, is a decent each-way alternative at around 10-1.
York 2.05 Crownthorpe was backed from 33-1 to 12-1 before winning this cosily last year and looked to be returning to form last time. The going will much the same too and he is just 1lb higher in the weights.
Newmarket 2.25 Nazuna, second in the Rockfel latest, could frank the form ahead of Isabella Giles’s run in the Group One Fillies’ Mile later on. Joseph O’Brien’s Thinking Of You is the obvious danger after a luckless run at Group Three level last time.
York 2.40 A fiercely-competitive handicap but Prince Alex found more for a step up in trip last time and could complete a five-timer off a 4lb higher mark.
Newmarket 3.00 An intriguing Group Two, with both Zakouski, seen as a Guineas type before his defeat in last year’s Craven, and Breeders’ Cup runner-up Daahyeh making their first start in Britain this year. All nine runners, in fact, can be given a chance, but Happy Power just gets the nod on recent form.
Quick Guide
Friday’s horse racing tips, by Greg Wood
Newmarket
12.45 Haija 1.15 Nebulosa 1.50 Atalis Bay (nb) 2.25 Nazuna 3.00 Happy Power 3.35 Isabella Giles 4.10 Brilliant Light 4.45 Angel Power
York
1.00 Dark Illusion 1.35 Logician 2.05 Crownthorpe (nap) 2.40 Prince Alex 3.10 Shalaa Asker 3.45 Celsius 4.20 Echo Beach 4.50 Zip
Chepstow
2.10 Vorashann 2.45 Born In Borris 3.15 McFabulous 3.50 Flic Ou Voyou 4.25 Soaring Glory 4.55 On Tour 5.25 The Cashel Man 5.55 Royal Magic
Kempton Park
3.55 Wisper 4.30 Sea Of Charm 5.05 Luckiness 5.40 Dandys Derriere 6.15 Mister Allegro 6.45 Last Surprise 7.15 Strong Power 7.45 Goldie Hawk 8.15 Beat The Heat
Chepstow 3.15 McFabulous took the EBF Novice Hurdle Final at Kempton in March in an excellent time without coming off the bridle. A potential star this season, he will take all the beating here.
Newmarket 4.10 This year’s Old Rowley Cup is as competitive as it gets, with nine of 17 runners having won last time while four more made the frame. Brilliant Light did not see a track until July but has made rapid strides and at around 9-1, is a fair price to follow up his Sandown win in August off a 5lb higher mark.