Rest of today´s flat racing

The rest of today´s Newmarket card is also very decent. The listed Abernant Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.00 CET has attracted 14 runners,including Equiano (Barry and Michael Hills), winner of the King´s Stand at Royal Ascot last year. He is best on ratings, but is possibly more suited by 5 furlongs, as is the consistent Tax Free (David Nicholls/ Franny Norton). Godolphin´s Hatta Fort (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) is a smart performer and ran really well at the Dubai meeting, but has to give weight away all round, while last year´s winner Zidane (James Fanshawe/ Jamie Spenser) is inconsistent and needs everything to fall right. Under the circumstances Edge Closer (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) looks the safest option.

The Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes over 9 furlongs at 17.10 should go to the smart Twice Over (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) who never runs a bad race and has an excellent record here; he has won 3 of his 4 starts at Newmarket and on the other occasion finished runner-up in the Champion Stakes. John Gosden´s pair Virtual (Jimmy Fortune) and Tazeez (Richard Hills), who won the Cambridgeshire over this CD, both finished last season in winning form and can chase him home. At Ripon Halicarnassus (Mick Channon/ Sam Hitchcott) stands out in the 10 furlongs conditions race at 16.10, while unbeaten Mutamaashi (Willie Haggas/ Tadge O´Shea) is expected to run well in the 3yo mile handicap at 16.45. Best race at this evening´s all-weather fixture at Wolverhampton is the 9 furlongs handicap for 3yo fillies at 20.15. Although it is only a class 3 race, several of the runners look better grade than this, and the two unbeaten fillies Cascata (Luca Cumani/ Dane O´Neill) and Stagecoach Jade (Mar k Johnston/ Jimmy Quinn) are both expected to make their mark at a higher level.