Group races at Newmarket and Haydock

there is racing all over today. with both Newmarket and Haydock putting on strong cards. At Newmarket it is German day and the German Thoroughbred Sweet Solera Stakes, a Group Three event for 2yo fillies at 16.35 CET, is the main feature. This has attracted a strong field, with four of the runners unbeaten. Godolphin have won the last 3 runnings and we think they can make it four with Certify (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona) who won in good style over 6 furlongs here and should have no problem with the extra furlong; she is already quoted as one of the favourites for next year´s 1,000 Guineas.

Also at Newmarket we like course specialist Classic Punch (David Elsworth/ Ian Mongan) in the opening 10 furlongs handicap at 15.25, a race he won last ysear, even though he is held on recent form by Unex El Greco (John Gosden/ Rab Havlin). Another fancy here is Highland Colori (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.00; he was 5th in a huge field at Ascot last time and before that had won 3 races in succession.

At Haydock the main event is the Group Three Rose of Lancaster Stakes over 10 furlongs at 15.55. Gabrial (Richard Fahey/ Jamie Spencer) had no chance against Frankel last time, and also on his previous start in a Group One at Royal Ascot, but in this lesser company he could be good enough; he won over a mile here earlier and his trainer expects him to get this extra distance. Jet Away (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) looks the obvious danger.

The 3yo handicap here at 15.30 looks really hot and 6 of the 7 runners are last-time-out winners. The exception is Godolphin´ s Anjaz (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa), but he looked very promising last season and can feature here. Ryan Moore rides the main danger, Sir Michael Stoute´s Gospel Choir and looks set for a good afternoon.