We’re all set for an exciting day’s racing at Newbury, with the Greenham Stakes the feature at 2pm.
2.00 Newbury – Exciting pair Zavateri and Albert Einstein headline in Greenham
A field of eight go to post at Newbury on Saturday in a red-hot renewal of the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs, with Zavateri and Albert Einstein the headline acts.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt Zavateri had a tremendous two-year-old campaign which saw him win a pair of Group 2 races before landing the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh. He finished his juvenile campaign with a fourth-placed finish in the Dewhurst Stakes. He makes his seasonal reappearance here before a potential tilt at the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Albert Einstein is a fascinating contender for Aidan O’Brien in a race the master trainer has never won. The son of Wootton Bassett comes here on a comeback mission after disappointing on seasonal reappearance at the Curragh three weeks ago. O’Brien still maintains that he has full faith in his star three-year-old, who goes in a first-time hood here.
Coolmore’s other runner in the race is the exciting Title Role, who is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. This Too Darn Hot colt landed the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan when last seen, getting the better of Godolphin’s Talk Of New York – who has since won at Newmarket.
The unbeaten Gonna Fly (for Ralph Beckett) and Alparslan (Karl Burke) are others to keep an eye on.
1.25 Newbury – Guineas hopeful Touleen faces 14 rivals in Fred Darling
A field of fifteen go to post in the opening race at Newbury on Saturday in the Fred Darling Stakes over seven furlongs, with Touleen looking to test her 1000 Guineas credentials here before a possible tilt at the Newmarket Classic in a fortnight’s time.
After winning her first two races, the Owen Burrows-trained filly then finished fifth in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes on her final start as a juvenile. Saffie Osborne takes over in the saddle here.
Touleen returns to action today
Richard & Peter Fahey saddle Ayr Group 3 winner Catching The Moon, who is fancied to go well here and the jockey booking of Ryan Moore is an eye-catching one.
The unbeaten Domina Ignis is the mount of David Egan for Kevin Philippart de Foy. This contender was purchased for €300,000 as a breeze-up and goes in a first-time hood in the Amo Racing silks.
Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett team up with K Sarra, who is another to note given her unbeaten status. She is entered in both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks, so enters calculations.
Zooming, Stimulative Trip and the Group-placed Princess Petrol are others to keep an eye on.
2.35 Newbury – Convergent and Pride Of Arras feature in John Porter
A classy field of seven go to post in this year’s renewal of the John Porter Stakes over twelve furlongs and Karl Burke’s Convergent looks the one to beat here. After making steady progress last year, which included two Group wins, Burke will be hoping his four-year-old can make another winning seasonal reappearance and take this Group 3 contest on the way to a potential tilt at the Coronation Cup.
The main danger may come from Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras who disappointed in both the Derby and Irish Derby last year before bouncing back after a gelding operation to impressively land the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
William Haggas’ Al Aasy justified favouritism to land this contest back in 2021 and comes here seeking a ninth Group success with Tom Marquand booked for the ride.
John and Thady Gosden and Ryan Moore team up with Lion’s Pride, whilst William Buick takes the ride on Phantom Flight – who has had a successful start to the year in the Middle East.
Andrew Balding’s Bellum Justum and William Haggas’ other runner Tenability make up this field of seven.
Best of the rest
Also at Newbury, a field of 26 are set to contest the ultra-competitive Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap at 3.10pm. Now off a mark of 94, Back In Black is likely to be well-fancied for James Fanshawe whilst Rogue Diplomat will look to go one better after finishing a runner-up on reappearance the last day.
The likes of Economics and Snow Lantern have won the 3.45pm Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships “Confined” Maiden Stakes in recent years and 25 runners line up for this year’s renewal, with top yards and owners aplenty featured.
The 550,000gns yearling Glory Of The Seas – who has entries in the Dante, Derby and Irish Derby – features for Godolphin in the Too Darn Hot Darley “Confined” EBF Maiden Stakes. In opposition is Water To Wine, who makes his debut for the Gosden team with Ryan Moore booked.
El Rojo Grande looks for a fifth win in seven starts when he goes in Bangor’s Gieves & Hawkes Novices’ Handicap Chase at 1.52pm. Later on the card, Reckless Spending headlines for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville in the Bangor-On-Dee Novices’ Hurdle (2.27pm).
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