Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops
Catching Pigeons rounds up all the gossip and tips from the major training centres and nominates Emaraaty as a likely type in the Dewhurst.
Best chances
2.05 York
3.00 Newmarket
5.00 York
Emaraaty could prove capable of sinking hot favourite Expert Eye in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
There were many long faces at the John Gosden emporium when this much vaunted son of Dubawi was beaten into fourth after a slow start on his debut at Sandown early last month, but there was still evidence enough to show he was an above average recruit.
Not surprisingly confidence was once again at a maximum for his only subsequent start at Newbury and this time he duly delivered, producing the smart burst of acceleration that connections knew he possessed, to take him to a very comfortable win over the well-regarded Magnificent.
It is always tricky to step up from a novice to a Group One, let alone a championship race, but Emaraaty has impressed all who have ridden him this season, both at home and on the racecourse, and he could well give his trainer a well-overdue first success in Britain's most prestigious juvenile race.
Who Dares Wins can see off the challenge of next door neighbour Withold and win a second Betfred Cesarewitch for Alan King.
The Barbury Castle trainer broke his duck with Grumeti in 2015, came close again 12 months ago, and launches a three-pronged attack this time around. However, Who Dares Wins looks the pick of the three after his emphatic win in the Cesarewitch Trial last month and has been working very well since. Connections believe he will be even better for this more difficult task and hopes are high he can overcome his 4lb penalty.
With the best part of 3000 horses in Newmarket, you would be forgiven for thinking headquarters would be well-represented in the Cesarewitch but remarkably Charlie Fellowes' Endless Acres flies the flag for the home town and despite a wide draw, he's expected to go well on his return since finding only Thomas Hobson too strong at Royal Ascot. The lightly-raced four-year-old is a worthy each-way alternative.
Wafy, another son the 1000 Guineas heroine Ghanaati, made up for a disappointing debut effort by beating the highly-rated Il Primo Solo over seven furlongs at Sandown last month and he is fancied to run a big race in the Group Three Autumn Stakes. This stiff mile should suit the Charlie Hills-trained juvenile, who finished strongly up the demanding Sandown hill and looks open to plenty of improvement.
The Darley EBF Stallions Boadicea Stakes is a competitive Listed heat for fillies but Gymnaste looks worth chancing as she resumes from a short break. With Dettori back in the plate, a bold bid would come as no surprise.
Whatever the fate of Who Dares Wins, stablemate and old rival Coeur De Lion should want plenty of beating in the Coral Stayers Handicap at York. His career somewhat mirrors that of Who Dares Wins, in that they are both smart young hurdlers as well as progressive stayers. Coeur De Lion came off second best in the Cesarewitch Trial, but it was still a very good effort, and he gives the impression he will be suited by this slightly shorter trip.
Shabaaby has been a good servant to us so far this season and can complete his hat-trick in the Listed Rockingham Stakes.
Owen Burrow placed him adeptly to win a novice at Newmarket and a conditions event at the Doncaster St Leger meeting, and he was impressive in delivering both victories. His trainer has high hopes for him as a three-year-old, and he deserves a shot at this level before connections head him in the direction of his winter break.
Earlier on the card, top weight Linguistic could be worth forgiving a disappointing effort in the Cambridgeshire when he has his second start after a break in the Download The Coral App Handicap. He wasn't disgraced at headquarters, showing up well before weakening, and has come on for the run if his homework is anything to go by.
William Haggas' Awesometank is worth sticking with following her Newmarket win over Clubbable and appeals significantly in the Coral Nursery while the yard could also be celebrating victory with Alwahsh in the Coldstream Guards Association Cup Handicap.
Jeremy Noseda's Lansky is the banker bet on the card at Kempton in the evening. He drops in class after contesting the Mill Reef and a pair of blinkers are set to sharpen him up nicely in the 32Red/British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
Switching codes, Potters Legend can keep a 100% record in tact by landing the toteexacta Handicap Chase at Chepstow.
Lucy Wadham's gelding has yet to be beaten first time up and looks to have a front-line chance in this open handicap after a highly successful first season over fences.
A good second to Barney Dwan in the 2016 EBF Novices Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, he took revenge on that smart performer on his chasing bow at Kempton (albeit a tad fortuitously) just under a year ago before embarking on a lucrative campaign, which included placed efforts in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival and the three-mile handicap at Aintree.
He looks the type to improve further for another summer behind him, and looks nicely weighted racing off the same mark as his close fourth to Domesday Book in what looked an above-average renewal of the Festival contest.
Percy Street is the sort to run well fresh and should go well for champion trainer Nicky Henderson in the Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow Limited Handicap Hurdle.
Although he did not set any rivers alight during his first season, he produced some fair performances, most notably a win at Taunton and a creditable sixth in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival. Connections wasted no time prescribing a gelding operation before his summer break, and this should see some improvement in performances in the weeks and months ahead. A recent run on the Flat will have sharpened him up and he has pleased since.
Chelsea Flyer showed some smart pieces of form during a difficult season for his trainer Emma Lavelle last term, and he is just preferred to Misterton in Chepstow's totepool Live Handicap Hurdle on Sunday.
Both performances came over two miles, and he should be suited by the return to this trip after a slightly disappointing effort over the extra half mile at Worcester on his comeback.
Blue Mist, a half brother to smart middle-distance performer Countermeasure, and very useful two year old Obedient, has shown enough at home to suggest a bold show on his first racecourse appearance in the 32Red Casino Novice Median Auction Stakes (Div II) at Kempton.
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