We have a busy day’s racing on Saturday with action from Bangor-on-Dee, Doncaster, Newbury and Uttoxeter, live on Sky Sports Racing…
2.35 Newbury Damysus, Notable Speech and Zeus Olympios headline
A top-class renewal of the feature Group One Boyle Sports Lockinge Stakes sees Damysus and Notable Speech spearhead a field of 10.
John and Thady Gosden’s Damysus ended last season with a dominant display in the Darley Stakes at Newmarket and looked a horse to follow when quickening clear to land the Earl Of Sefton Stakes on his return last month. Conceding three-pounds to his rivals, he oozed class and rates a key player to land a first Group One prize.
Notable Speech has four top-level successes on his CV but arrives having suffered no luck when beaten in his prep run at Keeneland. Charlie Appleby’s charge arrives top-rated on a mark of 122 but the trainer’s form is a slight concern as he is without a winner this month.
Aidan O’Brien has popped a pair of cheekpieces on The Lion In Winter as he seeks a first top-table success, while Prix du Moulin winner Sahlan must be feared if fit enough on his first start of the campaign.
1.25 Newbury – Dual Group One winner Kalpana returns
Dual British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ winner Kalpana returns in this Group Three Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.
The Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old ran plenty of fine races in defeat last summer including when second in the King George, before signing off with an emphatic success at Ascot on Champions Day. She sets the standard here and should be able to concede the penalty before heading up in class.
The main danger might be William Haggas’ Arabian Force who has a steadily progressive profile and may be sharper for his narrow defeat in a Listed heat in France last month.
West Wind Blows has been a fine servant for connections and, having given Calandagan a bit of a scare over in Meydan, he merits respect under William Buick.
French Master and Liberty Lane complete the quintet.
3.10 Newbury – Albert Einstein and Wise Approach clash
A fiercely competitive race for the grade as Albert Einstein and Wise Approach bid to bounce back in this Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes at 3.10pm.
Aidan O’Brien has never hidden his admiration for Albert Einstein, but his faith is yet to be rewarded this season. Only sixth at the Curragh on his reappearance, he showed a little more promise when third in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury and the drop back to six-furlongs is likely to suit.
Wise Approach shoulders a penalty for his Group One Middle Park Stakes victory last season and is another who needs to build on a lacklustre return. Having travelled kindly he had to be switched before staying on at the one pace when fifth at Ascot and should do better here.
Of the remainder, Havana Hurricane is worth a mention, while the form of Royal Fixation’s third in the Chevely Park has been franked and she makes plenty of appeal on debut for trainer Karl Burke.
Best of the rest
12.01 Laurel Park – Preakness Stakes – Taj Mahal and Iron Honour feature. Great White runs having missed the Derby.
2.00 Newbury – Golden Orbit and Sacred Ground headline a small but select field for this Listed Oaks Trial. Warm Heart, Nashwa and Sea Of Class won this in the past.
3.45 Newbury – My Love Is King is fancied for the Gosden team. Aidan O’Brien’s Port Of Spain has first-time cheekpieces.
4.20 Newbury – Fair Class Two Handicap over six-furlongs. Annaf and Wiltshire look likely types. Realign has always had a big reputation.
5.00 Newbury – Spring Mile scorer Mezcala is up eight pounds for Jack Channon and George Bass. Bullet Point one to note.
6.50 Uttoxeter – Class Two Handicap Hurdle. Super Survivor and Kayf Dancer feature.
5.27 Doncaster – Amo’s Noble Raider will be popular to break his maiden.
6.02 Doncaster – Decent novice with The Untamed sure to go well for Hannon. Flight Control could be useful for Kevin Frost.
3.25 Auteuil – French Champion Hurdle. Home By The Lee headlines for Joseph O’Brien. Lucinda Russell saddles Apple Away and Nicholls runs Henri The Second.
12.58 Auteuil – Grade Three Hurdle with nine runners.
3.50 Bangor – Excellent Class Two where Calico and Personal Ambition feature.