15:00 Newmarket

Saturday 11 October 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:50

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 23.39s

(8)

Alparslan²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 99| D

50/1

Impressive debut winner at Leicester despite proving easy to back and proved that was no fluke when dominating a valuable sales race at the Curragh last month. Bare form of that win nothing special and taking on some serious opposition now, but he's clearly talented.

Form: 11

(7)

Distant Storm¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 114| CD

9/4

Cost a whopping €1,900,000 at the breeze-ups and won a strong July meeting maiden on debut. Bit keen for his own good when third to Gewan in Acomb at York but firmly back on track when impressive winner of Group 3 over C&D 16 days ago. Can make his mark at the top level.

Form: 131

(5)

Gewan²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| BF| D

25/1

Looked a fine prospect when making it 2 from 2 in a deep-looking Acomb at York but disappointed in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster 4 weeks ago, not going with the same zest. Needs to resume progress.

Form: 114

(6)

Gstaad²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF

7/4

Impressive 3-length winner of the Coventry at Royal Ascot in June. Just failed to get to Venetian Sun in the Prix Morny at Deauville and only just edged out by Zavateri in National Stakes at the Curragh next 2 starts. Should be bang there again.

Form: 1122

(4)

Italy²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| D

12/1

Leopardstown debut winner and better form when runner-up in 7f Group races at Newmarket (beaten 1¼ lengths by Saba Desert on July Course) and York (1½ lengths behind Gewan). Improved further but was no match in the end when third to Zavateri and Gstaad in National Stakes at the Curragh 4 weeks ago.

Form: 1223

(2)

Oxagon²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| D

9/1

Frankel colt who confirmed debut promise (behind Distant Storm) when bolting up by 8 lengths from a subsequent winner at Sandown. Improved again when length second to subsequent Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Puerto Rico in Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Not taken lightly.

Form: 512

(1)

Pacific Avenue¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C Appleby| OR: 105| D

33/1

Got the better of shorter-priced stablemate Wild Desert (thrice placed in pattern company since) when making a winning debut on the other course here in June. Has come up short in Group races since, albeit showing improved form in defeat. Tough ask.

Form: 144

(9)

Saba Desert^p1²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Appleby| OR: 107| D

33/1

Followed up his debut win when proving 1¼ lengths too strong for Italy in the Group 2 Superlative at the Newmarket July meeting, However, lost his unbeaten record with a whimper in National Stakes at the Curragh and headgear now applied.

Form: 116

(3)

Zavateri²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 118| D

9/2

Has gone from strength to strength since making a winning debut at Salisbury, landing Group 2s at Newmarket (July Course) and Goodwood before maintaining unbeaten record when edging out Gstaad in National Stakes at the Curragh. Tough and uncomplicated sort who should make another bold bid.

Form: 1111

Forecasts

Gstaad (7/4), Distant Storm (9/4), Zavateri (9/2), Oxagon (9/1), Italy (12/1), Gewan (25/1), Pacific Avenue (33/1), Saba Desert (33/1), Alparslan (50/1)

ZAVATERI is a juvenile of some merit, having edged out Gstaad in his own backyard in the National Stakes at the Curragh 4 weeks ago, and this tough and uncomplicated colt can become the eighth horse this century to complete the National Stakes/Dewhurst double. Gstaad is a huge threat again given the margins involved at the Curragh, while Distant Storm looked very exciting when winning a C&D Group 3 late last month.