15:00 Newmarket

Wednesday 16 April 2025

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

Blandford Bloodstock Abernant Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 13.41s

(1)

Apollo One¹⁹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: P & J Clutterbuck| OR: 109| D

7/1

Most likeable and reliable sprinter who came second in the Portland at Doncaster before signing off for 2024 with victory in Bengough Stakes at Ascot (6f, good) by length from Jarraaf. Has gone well fresh so he's not taken lightly on his return.

Form: 362821-

(3)

Grand Grey¹⁹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Spencer| T: K A Ryan

11/1

A useful and reliable Italian 6f winner in 2024 for Gianluca Bietolini. Starts out here for last year's winning yard so needs considering.

Form: 543340-

(2)

Lethal Levi^b²⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 109| D

12/1

Revived by blinkers and ended last term on the up with success in 25-runner Ayr Gold Cup in September, forging clear to score by 3 lengths. Very much one to consider despite stepping up in grade.

Form: 142011-

(6)

Royal Zabeel³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 111| D

9/1

Thriving for his current yard and he made it 2-3 this year with a career best in 7-runner listed race at Wolverhampton (7f) 39 days ago by ¾ length from Witch Hunter. Well in the mix.

Form: 321-121

(4)

Run To Freedom^p³⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 111| D

14/1

A smart winning sprinter in 2023 when also a fine runner-up in the July Cup at Newmarket. Off since coming in only 11th in this event 12 months ago though so he has his fitness to prove.

Form: 19205/0-

(7)

Sajir³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Fabre| D

2/1

Useful French colt who made a winning return when landing the odds in 6-runner conditions event at Chantilly (6.5f) last month. Still low mileage so he can't be dismissed for top yard.

Form: 1/1345-1

(5)

Romantic Style⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 108| CD

2/1

Smart filly who posted her best effort reverted to 6f when comfortably bagging 10-runner listed race at Meydan in January by 2½ lengths from Haasim. This C&D winner is a big player with relatively few miles still on the clock.

Form: 1/140-21

Forecasts

Sajir (2/1), Romantic Style (2/1), Apollo One (7/1), Royal Zabeel (9/1), Grand Grey (11/1), Lethal Levi (12/1), Run To Freedom (14/1)

Charlie Appleby's ROMANTIC STYLE looked well suited by reverting to a sprint distance when scoring impressively at Meydan in the winter and this smart filly can add to an earlier C&D victory here. The most likeable Apollo One could emerge as the main danger given he goes well fresh, although the thriving Royal Zabeel and Ayr Gold Cup victor Lethal Levi can also have a say in a cracking Abernant.