Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 22.47s

(5)

Darkness Falls²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118

6/4

Camelot colt who registered wide-margin maiden victory on second start at the Curragh (1m) in August and catapulted himself towards the top of this season's 2-y-o ratings with dominant display in Group 1 at Leopardstown (9f) 4 weeks ago. Down in trip but huge player with prospect of more to come.

Form: 311

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Desert Castle²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 116| D

10/11

Imposing Frankel colt who looked something out of the ordinary when making a winning debut here in August and fast-tracked to Group 2 company, confirmed he's a high-class colt in the making when landing Champagne Stakes at Doncaster (7f) 4 weeks ago. Should take some stopping now tackling a Group 1.

Form: 11-

(4)

Gentle Hurricane²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 105

50/1

Invincible Spirit colt who made a successful debut at Salisbury (6f) in July and enhanced his form when runner up in Acomb at York a month later. Matched that form when 6¾ lengths fourth of 5 to Desert Castle in Champagne Stakes since and he appeals as the type to make a better 3-y-o.

Form: 124

(1)

Great Barrier Reef⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| BF

15/2

No Nay Never colt who continued his progression and did well under the circumstances when bringing up the Coventry at Royal Ascot (6f) in June. Took another step forward despite losing his unbeaten record when second in Curragh Group 3 latest and well worth his place here now upped to 7f.

Form: 1112-

(2)

Jassas¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Appleby| OR: 92| D

25/1

Dubawi colt who made a winning debut at Doncaster (7f) in July. Flopped in a French Group 3 next time but quickly got his career back on track back in calmer waters when defying a penalty in 8-runner Haydock novice (7f, soft) 2 weeks ago. Looks a possible pacemaker for stablemate Desert Castle here.

Form: 151

Forecasts

Desert Castle (10/11), Darkness Falls (6/4), Great Barrier Reef (15/2), Jassas (25/1), Gentle Hurricane (50/1)

Having impressed when scoring on debut, DESERT CASTLE took the rise in class in his stride and looked a high-class colt in the making when impressively following up in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster 4 weeks ago. Open to further improvement, he shades preference over Darkness Falls who is similarly improving at a rate of knots and already has a comfortable success at Group 1 level to his name. Great Barrier Reef can fill out third.