Newmarket Saturday - Champions Day

this column is now taking a week off, but first we will have a quick look at the excellent Newmarket card this Saturday- Champions Day. Two really strong Group One events, both with fancied runners from the Henry Cecil stable- and both owned by Khalid Abdullah and ridden by Tom Queally. The Dewhurst Stakes for 2yo´s at 15.35 CET is being talked about as the best 2yo race of the century, even with only 6 runners.

But they include 3 unbeaten colts, all potential champions: Cecil´s Frankel, Dream Ahead (David Simcock/ William Buick) and Saamidd (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori). Frankel looked a montster when winning at Ascot last time, and is odds-on favourite, but the fact is that he has not yet faced topclass opposition, and on ratings Dream Ahead, who won the Middle Park here over 6 furlongs by 9 lengths, can be slightly preferred. Saamidd comes from a top stable, who knows how to win these races, and cannot be underestimated.

The Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs at 16.00 is even more tricky. Cecil´s Twice Over won this last year and clearly has a chance of landing the double, but the French raiders have a good record in this event and we like Vision d´Etat (Eric Libaud/ Olivier Peslier). The other French runner Fuisse is not certain in our view to stay the trip.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Desert Law - Jinky - Question Times
2. Race: El Muqbil - Splendid Light - Suhaili
3. Race: Dordogne - Loving Spirit - Pivotman
4. Race: Tazeez - Penitent - Vesuve
5. Race: Timepiece - Middle Club - Modeyra
6. Race: Dever Dream - Golden Destiny - Electric Feel
7. Race: Mass Rally - Kajima - Imperial Guest
8. Race: Willing Foe - Times Up - Ottoman Empire