Our ambassador previews a quintet of contests on the Rowley Mile on Saturday, including the Group One Dewhurst Stakes, plus two competitive events over at York. Charlie Appleby can enhance his great record in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes (3.00) at Newmarket on Saturday with the unbeaten Desert Castle. Godolphin's trainer has won it three times in the last seven years, most recently with Shadow Of Light in 2024, and has no qualms about pitching his exciting son of Frankel into the highest company for the first time.
He impressed me with his dominance in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last month - his first outing since stepping out of novice company - and can cement his place at the head of the 2,000 Guineas market. Aidan O'Brien's Ante-post Derby favourite Darkness Falls has already won at this level so poses a considerable threat, but I'm not convinced the drop back to seven-furlongs will be in his favour. Brian Ellison's Sea Lantern could be very well treated in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (3.40) at Newmarket, but I prefer another northern raider in the stayers' showpiece.
Mountain Road was a solid second to the strongly fancied Small Fry over two-miles at York and should appreciate the extra quarter-mile with Paul Mulrennan back on board for the first time since his win at Thirsk in the summer. Sea Lantern could be anything at this stage and Brian has made no secret of how highly he rates the ex-Irish gelding, who has won at Pontefract since chasing home the smart duo Infraad and Asia Force at the West Yorkshire track. This represents a considerable step up in grade and trip for the son of Sea The Stars but he looks a thorough stayer who may be underestimated by his mark of 89, which includes a four-pound penalty.
The Lost King is a worthy favourite for the Group Three Modern Games Darley Stakes (1.15) at Newmarket on the evidence of his second in the Joel Stakes over a mile last time. The way he finished behind the classy Talk Of New York in a higher grade that day suggests he should enjoy the extra furlong in pursuit of more Pattern success for his trainer Andrew Balding. Haatem has been on his travels, winning a Grade Three at Kentucky Downs, and Wathnan Racing's ultra-tough five-year-old will be a huge threat to all his rivals with Ryan Moore on board if he's on his A-game.
Never miss a story with all the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more It will be interesting to see how Drumbeat copes with the step up in trip in the Group Three Native Trail Zetland Stakes (1.50) at Newmarket. Aidan O'Brien's colt sets the standard with that third in the Group Two Beresford Stakes at The Curragh last time and despite being out of a sprint mare gives the impression he will appreciate this extra quarter-mile.
Though he needs to improve markedly, Andrew Balding's Wykehurst Park looks interesting at bigger odds. This son of Stradivarius has only won a Yarmouth maiden, but Andrew wouldn't be running him if he didn't think he was Pattern class. Aidan O'Brien's Sergei Diaghilev was unlucky to bump into Dewhurst favourite Desert Castle in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time, but compensation awaits in the Group Three Emirates Autumn Stakes (2.25) at Newmarket.
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