15:35 Newmarket

Tuesday 18 April 2023

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

bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:39 | Winning time: 1m 55.17s

(3)

Blue Trail⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 111

6/1

Smart gelding who posted a career best when winning 14-runner handicap at Meydan (9.9f, good) 67 days ago. Needs considering.

Form: 3820-51

(7)

Intellogent¹⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 106| D

28/1

New stable coaxed him back to his best last term, running crackers under big weights in the Royal Hunt Cup and John Smith's Cup in the summer. Last 3 outings of 2022 proved disappointing, though, so he returns with something to prove.

Form: 323707-

(8)

Masekela²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

16/1

Listed winner at 2 who was an excellent fourth in the Derby last June. Signed off last season with good second in 10f Doncaster conditions event so he's shortlisted on his reappearance.

Form: 245942-

(6)

Ottoman Fleet⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 113| C

6/4

Smart gelding who arrives in good nick from a spell in Meydan, third of 12 to Nations Pride in Dubai Millennium Stakes last time. This course scorer holds very good form claims for last year's winning stable.

Form: 221-333

(2)

Poker Face¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 101

10/3

Most progressive last autumn, winning all 3 starts, including on handicap debut at Pontefract in October. This demands plenty more but he's a very exciting prospect.

Form: 111-

(1)

Raadobarg^t¹⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: G Boughey| OR: 107

8/1

Useful ex-Irish colt who held his form well last term for Johnny Murtagh, eighth in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October. May do better still for his excellent new handler.

Form: 844558-

(4)

Reach For The Moon^b¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110

13/2

Smart gelding who turned in a rare poor run in first-time cheekpieces when well-beaten sixth of 7 in Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud (8f, heavy) in October. Blinkers on for the first time. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 112/226-

Non-Runners

(5)

Epic Poet¹⁵⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: M Meade J: Tom Marquand

Forecasts

Ottoman Fleet (6/4), Poker Face (10/3), Blue Trail (6/1), Reach For The Moon (13/2), Raadobarg (8/1), Epic Poet (12/1), Masekela (16/1), Intellogent (28/1)

OTTOMAN FLEET holds the edge on form having been in good nick in Meydan this winter and represents last year's winning yard so gets the vote in an open Earl of Sefton Stakes. Poker Face takes a step up in class but this unbeaten gelding looked an exciting prospect last term and could prove the chief threat ahead of Raadobarg who could have more to offer now with George Boughey.