16:15 Newmarket

Saturday 14 October 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Darley Nursery

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 23.91s

(4)

Rufus King¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97

16/1

Has faced some tough tasks and unsuitable ground since landing an Ascot nursery. The runner-up is a reliable yardstick and would indicate this is a fair mark. Blinkers are removed and he appeared not to stay this far at Leopardstown.

Form: 417056

(9)

Etefaaq⁵²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: R Hannon| OR: 97

25/1

Hard to blame the draw or ground for a woeful effort last time and it just possible he is not as good as his handicap mark suggests.

Form: 71840

(7)

Nobleman's Nest³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 96| D

5/2

Disappointed his trainer in the Gimcrack but bounced back to cruise to victory in a Doncaster nursery. Hit with a potentially damaging 11lb rise in the weights but considered Listed class. Would need to take this to make that look realistic.

Form: 2101

(6)

Prestbury Park⁶⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90

4/1

The form of his latest victory just about warrants a mark this high but he is a scopey individual in good hands. Has held Group 2 entries this autumn and is in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Should get this new trip and trainer loves to get winners here.

Form: 711

(1)

Maksab¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M R Channon| OR: 84| D

9/1

Narrow winner here on the July course and that form has been boosted since. In here off just 1lb higher after two defeats in good company when he has failed to stay a mile. Rider 5-19 for the yard.

Form: 510145

(3)

Clubbable¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| BF

3/1

Continues to be penalised by the handicapper for some unlucky defeats. A good start would help but she can be keen and the need for cover leaves her a hostage to fortune.

Form: 323222

(8)

Character Witness⁶⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-4| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: R Varian| OR: 80| BF

8/1

Gets a 16lb pull with Nobleman's Rest for just over 3L on running here in July. Fair to say his conqueror appears to have made the greater progress since but interesting none the less with top claimer on board.

Form: 643

(2)

Porth Swtan¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-3| J: J Fanning| T: C Hills| OR: 79| BF

14/1

His brother Shagah was best at this trip but his dam is an influence for stamina and he shapes as though needing further. The form of his latest defeat at Leicester does not look good enough.

Form: 3202

Non-Runners

(5)

New Empire²³

Weight: 8-3| Age: 2

T: P W Chapple-Hyam J: Noel Garbutt

Forecasts

Nobleman's Nest (5/2), Clubbable (3/1), Prestbury Park (4/1), Character Witness (8/1), Maksab (9/1), Porth Swtan (14/1), New Empire (14/1), Rufus King (16/1), Etefaaq (25/1)

Clubbable deserves a change of luck but the handicapper continues to make it harder for her. Maksab is one at a decent price and with an eyecatching jockey booking. Mick Channon's charge will appreciate this shorter trip. Nobleman's Nest is considered better than a handicapper and he is another who will be ridden by a jockey with a good record for the yard. PRESTBURY PARK is also held in high regard and has been well entered up. He had little left at Chester last time but a line through the placed horses suggests his mark is fair. You cannot say the same about most of his rivals and, with the prospect of even better to come, he gets the nod.