14:55 Newmarket

Saturday 12 October 2019

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

Dubai Autumn Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 1m 40.47s

(9)

Al Suhail^h⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 105

4/1

1,100,000 gns yearling and half-brother to Telecaster. Improved on his promising Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) win to finish third in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown (7f, good to firm). Needs to improve again but extra 1f should suit.

Form: 213

(1)

Cherokee Trail²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 94

7/1

Was green when winning at Ascot (7f, good to firm) on debut but bettered that when scoring nicely with a 6lb penalty at Newbury (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago. Looks a promising colt from an in-form stable who have won this race twice before.

Form: 11

(3)

Dontaskmeagain¹⁸

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

16/1

Won both starts comfortably so far at Brighton (7f, good to firm) and Beverley (7½f, soft). Big step-up in grade here and whilst it's hard to knock an unbeaten colt, he hasn't shown the same level of form as others and needs to improve again.

Form: 11

(5)

Johan¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88| D

11/1

Built on promising start to win easily at Lingfield (7½f, good) and Musselburgh (7f, good to soft). Interesting he steps into Group company given his fair opening handicap mark but has work to do with Military March from debut. Going the right way.

Form: 411

(8)

Military March⁷⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor

4/1

A fine pedigree and a fine debut when winning well despite showing inexperience on the July Course (7f, good). That form has been boosted and this half-brother to five winners is open to any amount of improvement. Yard won the race twice before.

Form: 1

(2)

Molatham²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 102

5/2

Landed a valuable maiden at York (7f, good to firm) before winning a Listed event at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time. That win took a huge boost when runner-up Wichita won a Group 3 impressively next time and he sets the form standard.

Form: 211

(7)

Persia²⁵

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

9/2

Not the first from this yard to improve massively for his debut when winning by 5L in good style at Gowran (1m, soft) 25 days ago. Only representative for the O'Brien team, who have never won this race, and is worthy of serious respect.

Form: 81

(6)

Ropey Guest¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: G G Margarson| OR: 97

33/1

Has ran well in some pattern races this season but also struggled to take advantage of winnable opportunities in between. Another fair effort last time in a Group 3 here (7f, good) but likely to struggle once again.

Form: 643353

Non-Runners

(4)

Melody King²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 2

T: J & S Quinn J: Ronan Whelan

Forecasts

Molatham (5/2), Military March (4/1), Al Suhail (4/1), Persia (9/2), Cherokee Trail (7/1), Johan (11/1), Dontaskmeagain (16/1), Ropey Guest (33/1), Melody King (33/1)

The narrow defeat of Wichita at Doncaster couldn't have worked out any better for MOLATHAM and with the proven, strong form in the book, it will take a good sort to turn him over. There are plenty of promising types in opposition, however, including Military March. He is beautifully-bred and made a taking debut back in July with the extra 1f perfect for him. This is a rare Group race for juveniles that Aidan O'Brien hasn't won and relies solely on Persia, who was impressive at Gowran last time.