The British racing season is drawing to a close. This weekend sees Champions Day take place at Newmarket, and six of the seven races are group races. The Dewhurst is race four and will be run at 17:10. A large field of 15 runners line up in a race which regularly produces champions and classic winners.
ADAGIO : Winner of his only start to date. He had a short head to spare over runner up Tybalt, who won well next time out. He faces by far and away his toughest task to date.
Bids to follow in his sire's footsteps by winning this race. He is a half-brother to high-class filly Arvada.
2 c Grand Lodge – Lalindi, by Cadeaux Genereux
DUBAI BUILDER: Has run well in his last three starts, with his career highlight coming in a good third place in the Mill Reef Stakes (Gp2). He won his next start, but narrowly. His trainer is enjoying a good spell with his two-year-olds although on form with his Mill Reef conqueror Excellent Art he has ground to find with the leading fancies. His sire won this race in 2000. Will be ridden by Martin Dwyer, who won this race on Sir Percy last year.
2 c Tobougg – Roseum, by Lahib
HATEF: Beautifully bred colt, made a winning debut in August at the Curragh. The form of his maiden win doesn't look particularly strong, with neither the second or third having won yet.
Hatef has not run since and it remains to be seen if his inexperience will cost him. He clearly has ability though and could run into the money.
2 c Danzig – Sayedat Alhadh, by Mr Prospector
HALICARNASSUS: Unbeaten in two starts, he caused something of an upset when winning the Superlative Stakes (Gp3) over fellow Dewhurst entrant He's A Decoy (In The Wings).
From a yard known for producing top-class juveniles, Halicarnassus dead heated with stakes placed Norisan on debut before his success in the Superlative Stakes. The Superlative Stakes form was given a handsome boost by the win of Admiralofthefleet in the Gp2 Royal Lodge Stakes. Halicarnassus could well pick up the pieces should the favourites disappoint.
2 c Cape Cross – Launch Time, by Relaunch
HAMOODY: Another unbeaten colt, he won the Richmond Stakes (Gp2) last time out from subsequent stakes winner Dubai's Touch. He has been specifically aimed at this race since winning the Richmond, but faces a tough task here. The Richmond form doesn't look as strong as some of the other major two-year-old races and he needs to improve to win here. He beat Romanov Dynasty on debut and that colt is still a maiden.
2 c Johannesburg – Northern Gulch, by Gulch
HE'S A DECOY: Winner of his first two starts, including the Listed Rochestown Stakes. He defeated a good field on his debut, having the likes of Admiralofthefleet behind him. He follow his listed win up with a creditable second in the Superlative Stakes to Halicarnassus. After an unplaced run in the Goffs Million, he ran fourth to Holy Roman Emperor in the Grand Criterium. On that form He's A Decoy is hard to fancy here.
A half-brother to Stewards Cup winner and successful sire Danetime, who is represented in this race by Vital Equine
2 c In The Wings – Allegheny River, by Irish River
HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR: A top-class colt, he was most impressive when winning the Grand Criterium last time out. At his penultimate start was comfortably beaten by Teofilo in the National Stakes. Already a dual Gp1 winner, he also landed the Phoenix Stakes, Holy Roman Emperor bids to give Aidan O'Brien his second Dewhurst win and is a worthy second favourite. Connections are confident that he can reverse form with Teofilo.
2 c Danehill – L' On Vite, by Secretariat
MOUNT PARNASSUS: Seemingly a complete non hoper. He has been unplaced in both starts and looks a possible pacemaker for his stablemate.
2 c Rock of Gibraltar – Quiz Liz, by Benny The Dip
NAIGANI: Another O'Brien runner. Still a maiden after six starts and looks outclassed on what he has shown to date.
2 c Storm Cat – Fiji, by Rainbow Quest
PRIME DEFENDER: Has won one of his three starts to date but has shown smart form and looks promising. Ran a good third in the Doncaster Sales race behind Doctor Brown, second in the Mill Reef next time out, following a fluent maiden win. Previously ran second to the unbeaten Traffic Guard on debut.
2 c Bertolini – Arian Da, by Superlative
RALLYING CRY: Takes a step up in class here. He has won two of his three starts, with his sole defeat coming in the Superlative Stakes. He won a conditions race in game fashion following his run in the Superlative.
Highly rated by his trainer, Rallying Cry has plenty of ability but it remains to be seen if this race is too soon for him.
2 c War Chant – Turning Wheel, by Seeking The Gold
STRATEGIC PRINCE: Top-class colt, he has won three of four starts. His only loss came in the Norfolk Stakes, behind unbeaten Dutch Art. Strategic Prince was particularly impressive when winning the Vintage Stakes last time out, despite carrying a penalty. He previously won the July Stakes over a colt who is still a maiden.
May not run due to ground concerns. His trainer won this race with Generous in 1990, prior to that colt's glorious season in 1991.
2 c Dansili – Ausherra, by Diesis
TEOFILO: The unbeaten favourite for the race. Has won all four of his races, including the National Stakes (Gp1) when easily accounting for Holy Roman Emperor. The latter gave him a handsome compliment when winning the Grand Criterium next time out. Rated by Jim Bolger as the best he has trained, Teofilo previously won the Futurity Stakes and Tyros Stakes. The form of the Futurity was given a boost by runner up Eagle Mountain's easy win in the Beresford Stakes (Gp2).
2 c Galileo – Speirbhean, by Danehill
TRAFFIC GUARD: Unbeaten in two starts. He was a game winner last time out over Resignation, who was second to Dubai Builder next time out. He defeated Prime Defender on debut by a length and there should be little to choose between the two. This is a huge step up for him and on current form will need to improve. He is rated highly by Stan Moore, however, and should give a good account of himself.
2 c More Than Ready – Street Scene, by Zafonic
VITAL EQUINE: Won his first three starts in good style. Not disgraced when third in the Grand Criterium last time out behind Holy Roman Emperor and the promising Battle Paint, a close relation of Albert Hall. He won well on debut, and both the second and third have won since.
Previously had won the Champagne Stakes in good style, defeating the subsequent group winners Eagle Mountain and Thousand Words.
SELECTION
1 TEOFILO
2 HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR
3 HALICARNASSUS