14:15 Newbury

Saturday 23 September 2017

All13:1513:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 2m 17.91s

(1)

Secret Number²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: G Mosse| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 114

10/1

Has been competing in high class Group races around the world in recent seasons and has been relatively lightly raced. Won a Turkish Group 2 earlier in the month but this may be tougher and he has to concede weight all round.

Form: 12/107-1

(6)

Fabricate^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: M L W Bell| OR: 112

7/1

Has been improving this campaign, winning at Goodwood (won in the stewards' room) before landing a Group 3 at Windsor. This is a tough race though and he won't find it easy carrying a penalty.

Form: 344611

(10)

Across The Stars⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 107

12/1

Was in good form in 2016, with the highlight coming in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot. Signs of a return to form may be imminent at Chester last time out after some disappointing runs this year but finishing effort was questionable and this is tougher.

Form: 13-5882

(8)

Desert Encounter^h⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: D M Simcock| OR: 114

13/2

Placed in Group 1 company behind Ulysees at 50/1 in the Eclipse and optimum conditions may be faster than what he got at Ascot last time out. Bound to appreciate the drop in class here and should be right there for a yard that won this last year.

Form: 32-1236

(3)

Dylan Mouth⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: M Botti| OR: 110| D

10/1

Italian Group 1 winner who bounced back to form in handicap company after some below par efforts this campaign. This much tougher though and not always the most consistent sort. Opposable with another step forward needed.

Form: 357371

(2)

My Dream Boat^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 113

13/2

Has become a tricky ride this campaign, sometimes racing lazily, sometimes racing keenly and not delivering the turn of foot that saw him land a Group 1 in 2016. Will appreciate the drop in class but has a bit to prove at present; wants soft ground.

Form: 4-32477

(7)

Scarlet Dragon¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 108| C

6/1

In fine form last year, winning four races including a valuable handicap at Newmarket at the end of the year. Not got his head in front this year but back to form over this trip in a Group 3 at Kempton last time and place claims if in the same form.

Form: 0-60302

(4)

Second Step²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 110| C| D

9/2

Won a German Group 1 last year and has been running consistently well this year, landing a couple of Listed races. Won with a bit in hand at Windsor last time and looks worth his place in this line up. Should run well provided the rain stays away.

Form: 4-31221

(9)

What About Carlo⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fortune| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 108| C

25/1

His last three wins have all come here and clearly enjoys it around here but all his best efforts have come with cut in the ground and this is his first try at Group company so perhaps best watched this time.

Form: 1-93210

(5)

Architecture³⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Smullen| T: H Palmer| OR: 111

9/1

Just a maiden win to her name as things stand but ran two blinding races in the Epsom and Irish Oaks last year and trainer believes she will get better with age. Absence is a concern but should be thereabouts if she's ready on her return.

Form: 228236-

(11)

Wingingit⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 92

25/1

Hasn't been out the first two in six starts this year, including when runner-up in a Listed race at Leopardstown last time. Has Has her first start for a new yard now but has plenty to find on form and probably best watched this time.

Form: 221122

Forecasts

Second Step (9/2), Scarlet Dragon (6/1), Desert Encounter (13/2), My Dream Boat (13/2), Fabricate (7/1), Architecture (9/1), Secret Number (10/1), Dylan Mouth (10/1), Across The Stars (12/1), Wingingit (25/1), What About Carlo (25/1)

David Simcock has won the last two renewals of this contest and Desert Encounter gives him a good chance of landing the hat-trick. The five-year-old has kept some good company this campaign and he's sure to appreciate the drop in class. However, SECOND STEP was impressive last time out at Windsor and he looks capable of taking this step up in class in his stride. Architecture shouldn't be ruled out for the Hugo Palmer stable after some fine efforts last year but the near year-long absence is a little off-putting.