14:55 Newbury

Saturday 21 September 2019

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 1m 10.9s

(5)

Mystery Power⁵³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 111

9/4

Lost his unbeaten record in tame fashion last time although he may have been unsuited by the rain-softened ground in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes (7f). This will be his first try over 6f (carries penalty for previous Group 2 win); may bounce back.

Form: 116

(2)

Firepower^h1⁹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 90

25/1

Hooded for the first-time he looked well out of his depth in this company last time when well beaten in 5f Norfolk Stakes. A 5f winner on his debut he finished well beaten on his second start over C&D; would need to cause a huge surprise to win this.

Form: 160

(8)

Impressor³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: M Dwyer| T: M P Tregoning| D

10/1

Built on a promising debut when he wasn't seen to best effect with a well backed soft ground win at Salisbury over 6f (second won next time). Bare form leaves him with something to find but showed a fine turn of foot last time; interesting candidate.

Form: 41

(1)

Malotru²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: G Mosse| T: M Botti| D

11/2

Won his first two starts including an Italian Group 2 on his second outing (form a little below the level of a UK race at that level). Shaped better than the bare result when fourth in Gimcrack (6f, York), showed potential, worthy of respect.

Form: 114

(4)

Mr Kiki⁴⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: M L W Bell| D

11/1

Strong in the market for his latest start which saw him gain a 6f Yarmouth victory having previously been fourth on his debut in an Ascot race that is working out in superb style. Given his price tag/pedigree likely to show further progress.

Form: 41

(6)

Pierre Lapin¹²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| D

9/4

Looked a good prospect when winning on his Haydock debut (6f, good/firm) against a useful prospect in a race where everything didn't go his way. Forged clear after waiting for a run, given break since debut; progress inevitable despite stiffer test.

Form: 1

(7)

Royal Commando⁵¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 95

14/1

Excused his blowout in a Goodwood Group 2 last time (plenty went wrong); better judged on his smooth win (second start) at Doncaster over 6.5f. Likely to stay further he may find one or two of these too speedy, remains capable of better.

Form: 418

(3)

Shadn²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: A M Balding| OR: 99| CD

8/1

Already a Listed C&D winner the only filly in the field confirmed herself to be useful when failing to settle in a Goodwood Group 3 last time; still finishing third trying 7f for the first time. May be better suited by 6f for now; deserves respect.

Form: 1013

Forecasts

Pierre Lapin (9/4), Mystery Power (9/4), Malotru (11/2), Shadn (8/1), Impressor (10/1), Mr Kiki (11/1), Royal Commando (14/1), Firepower (25/1)

A deep and interesting running of this Group 2 event that hasn’t seen a winner returned at a bigger price than 4-1 since 2008. That may change this year with a fair few of the field having legitimate claims with the penalised Mystery Power probably producing the best single piece of form with his win in the Superlative Stakes he does need to bounce back from his last defeat although that did come at the hands of stellar 2yo Pinatubo. Pierre Lapin created a deep impression on his sole start and he along with Malotru and Shadn are worthy of respect. IMPRESSOR has a fair bit to find on form but he looks to have a real engine and this race looks a natural progression from his Salisbury victory.