15:30 Newmarket

Saturday 12 October 2019

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:1016:4517:20

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 26.55s

(5)

Arizona²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108

14/1

Lifted the Coventry Stakes (6f, good) at Royal Ascot in good style but no match for Earthlight or Pinatubo in Group 1 company since then. Both were creditable defeats, however, and has place claims.

Form: 21143

(9)

Iffraaz³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

66/1

Won twice this year (5f/6f) but both forays in Group company have seen him well-beaten. Fair third in a nursery last time at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) but that form well below the standard required here.

Form: 10103

(3)

Monarch Of Egypt¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

16/1

Ran two good seconds to Siskin in Group company after a winning debut at Naas (5f, good to yielding). Disappointing last of eight in the Middle Park here two weeks ago and even his previous best leaves him with more to find.

Form: 1228

(1)

Mystery Power²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

20/1

Won his first two races, including the Group 2 Superlative Stakes (7f, good to firm) back in July. Finished a good second in the Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, good to firm) last time after a big defeat by Pinatubo beforehand. Each-way claims back at 7f.

Form: 1162

(2)

Pinatubo²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 128| D

1/3

Outstanding colt who is the highest-rated juvenile for 25 years after a 9L romp in the National Stakes took his unbeaten spree to five. Has shown the best form by a considerable margin and should win here on his way to Champion two-year-old honours.

Form: 11111

(6)

Positive⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 109| D

8/1

Bolted up on debut at Salisbury (7f, good to firm) and narrowly prevailed in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown (7f, good to firm) last time. No match for Pinatubo in between at Glorious Goodwood, however, with a similar outcome likely here.

Form: 121

(4)

Royal Commando²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 101| D

50/1

Highly tried the last twice after winning at Doncaster (6½f, good to firm) in July. Not disgraced on either occasion in Group 2 company but this is tougher still and isn't up to it on what we've seen thus far.

Form: 4184

(7)

Wichita¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| CD

7/2

Impressive C&D winner of the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes last time by 7L, which took his record to two wins from three starts. Aidan O'Brien has won this race six times before and this son of No Nay Never is his main hope of a seventh win.

Form: 121

(8)

Year Of The Tiger¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100| D

50/1

Behind Pinatubo at Royal Ascot and despite winning a maiden at Naas (7f, good) easily afterwards, has been found wanting in the Superlative Stakes and Royal Lodge Stakes the last twice.

Form: 27174

Forecasts

Pinatubo (1/3), Wichita (7/2), Positive (8/1), Arizona (14/1), Monarch Of Egypt (16/1), Mystery Power (20/1), Year Of The Tiger (50/1), Royal Commando (50/1), Iffraaz (66/1)

A bigger field than expected line-up for a hotly anticipated renewal but that shouldn't make any difference to PINATUBO. Already rated better than Frankel (who won this race) at this stage of his career, an impressive victory awaits after his demolition at The Curragh last time. An impressive C&D win here recently for Wichita means he is the best of the four-pronged Ballydoyle attack whilst Positive is also upwardly mobile and is best of the rest.