13:50 Newbury

Saturday 21 July 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Stakes (Listed) (Registered As The Steventon Stakes)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 4.84s

(4)

First Sitting⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: G Mosse| T: C F Wall| OR: 110| D

11/1

Has two wins and a second from three starts in Listed company so warrants respect. On this occasion he has a stiff task in conceding weight to all.

Form: 187-610

(3)

Autocratic^t1,v1³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 108| D

4/1

Capable horse on his day and his last success came in the 2017 Brigadier Gerard Stakes. Yet to match that form and, although some of his efforts can be excused, he has left the impression he is not giving his all and the visor may correct that.

Form: 6-92524

(2)

Desert Encounter³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 112| C

9/2

Has a win and two seconds in Listed company. Third in last year's Eclipse and took a Group 3 here in September. Third in this year's Brigadier Gerard and clear claims on that form, but he was poor last time.

Form: 615-937

(6)

Emirates Flyer³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: William Carson| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 104

20/1

Not won since a Meydan success back in 2014. Interesting that connections persevered with him after his lengthy absence. Has run well in handicaps at Chelmsford but would need a career best to land this.

Form: 032/6-24

(1)

Emotionless¹⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 111

11/4

Looked destined for the top flight as a juvenile but his reputation was shattered in the 2015 Dewhurst Stakes. Gelded prior to an improved effort in a Meydan Group 2 in January, but a further absence raises doubts about his wellbeing.

Form: 57/623-2

(7)

Spark Plug¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: B J Meehan| OR: 107| C| D

4/1

Has won five races but unlucky not to have landed more and has been stuck in a pocket on his last three runs in similar company. Vulnerable if some of the Group winners return to their best, but he is the most consistent performer in this lineup.

Form: 36-6372

(5)

Fajjaj^p1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L Dettori| T: H Palmer| OR: 105| D

13/2

Has the looks and the pedigree but has done little in this country to suggest he is up to this standard. Cheekpieces tried this time and rain would aid his cause.

Form: 14-2201

Forecasts

Emotionless (11/4), Autocratic (4/1), Spark Plug (4/1), Desert Encounter (9/2), Fajjaj (13/2), First Sitting (11/1), Emirates Flyer (20/1)

Not the easiest race to predict with Emotionless having been difficult to train and Desert Encounter having been so poor last time. Emirates Flyer and Fajjaj are yet to convince they can win at this level, whilst Autocratic has disappointed once too often. SPARK PLUG is a consistent performer at this level and has fewer questions to answer. Brian Meehan's veteran has been unlucky on his last three starts and, although officially rated a few pounds inferior to some of these, he can at least be trusted to give an honest account.