Frankel at Newbury

A strong card at Newbury today is headed by the Greenham Stakes, a Group Three race for 3yo´s over the straight 7 furlongs at 16.10 CET and an important classic trial. All eyes will be on Frankel (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), last years champion 2yo and unbeaten in 4 races including the Dewhurst Stakes. He is already hot favourite for the 2,000 Guineas and Derby (despite uncertain stamina) and will have to win this easily to maintain his position in the market. In theory he should be able to beat this opposition without too much fuss, but the form of Cecil´s runners this week does give some room for doubt. Strong Suit (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) is a possible alternative. He was a smart 2yo, winner of the Coventry at Royal Ascot, but is well held on collateral form by Frankel; he is also not certain to get this trip as all his form is over 6 furlongs and he could be a sprinter. The favourite´s pacemaker Picture Editor (Cecil/ Ian Mongan) will probably set a strong pace as he stays well and he could easily run into a place at a big price.

The big betting race here is the Spring Mile, a handicap at 16.25 with 28 runners and obviously wide open. The Lincoln Handicap 2 weeks ago at Doncaster is often the best guide to this, in which case runner-up Brae Hill (Richard Fahey/ Jamie Spencer) and third-placed Dubai Hills (Bryan Smart/ Tom Eaves) must come into the reckoning, along with Manassas (Brian Meehan/ Louis-Philippe Beuzelin), who was 3rd in the consolation race at Doncaster.

The 3yo maiden over 1 mile 3 furlongs at 17.00 is a very interesting event, with some very well-bred newcomers, notably Henry Cecil´s pair Solar Sky (Mongan) and World Domination (Queally), but both Wayward Glance (Michael Bell/ Christophe Soumillon) and Suhaili (Roger Varian/ Neil Callan) showed great promise on their only 2yo outing and are also expected to make the grade in better company this year.

Otherwise the day could belong to Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore and we expect to see them to win the first 3 races with Modun at 14.35, Verdant in the Group Three John Porter Stakes at 15.05 and Cape Dollar in the Group Three Fred Darling, the fillies´ classic trial at 15.40.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Modun - All Action - Bourne
2. Race: Verdant - Allied Powers - Poet
3. Race: Cape Dollar - Pontenuovo - Rimth
4. Race: Frankel - Strong Suit - Shropshire
5. Race: Saint Pierre - Brick Red - Brae Hill
6. Race: World Domination - Suhaili - Fiorente
7. Race: Kirthill - Danehill Dante - Change The Subject
8. Race: Voodoo Prince - Colombian - Jumeira Field