3 minute read
Highbank can add his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes at Newbury.
The mile contest has famously produced some truly brilliant winners over the years, from the likes of Shergar, Rainbow Quest and Unfuwain in the 1980s, King's Theatre in the 90s and Nayef in 2000, with plenty of other high-class names dotted through time.
It has not had quite the same cache in recent years, but 2020 winner Yibir is now something of an international star while last season's hero Zechariah was only narrowly denied by subsequent St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov at Royal Ascot and he beat Irish Derby winner Westover 12 months ago.
Highbank is sure to be a popular pick for this year's renewal of the mile event after an impressive debut victory at Newmarket in July, coming home just short of four lengths clear of two subsequent winners without his rider ever having to really get to work.
Highbank had to wait for a gap to appear that day, but when he did spot a route through, the Kingman colt showed a fine change of gear and while he must shoulder a penalty for that success, Charlie Appleby's charge can rise to the challenge and stake his claim for next years Classics.
Tacarib Bay has been set some tough tasks during his career, but he can strike Listed gold in the Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes.
Second in the Free Handicap at the start of the year, he then lined up as a 125-1 outsider in the 2000 Guineas, in which he unsurprisingly cut little ice.
A Haydock handicap win eventually followed, though, and he was probably a bit unfortunate to bump into Triple Time on his most recent start.
Pitched into Group Three company back at Haydock, Tacarib Bay grabbed second in the closing stages of a race that admittedly cut up due to the ground, but a similar run might be sufficient here.
Prince Of Pillo makes a swift return to action in Ayr's British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes.
A winner at the Scottish track and Ripon previously, he took a big step up in class to contest the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster on Sunday.
He proved no match for Trillium and The Platinum Queen, who had the race between themselves, but he was not disgraced in finishing a six-length fourth, with a fair yardstick in Crispy Cat in third.
This Listed race is a drop in grade, although far from an easy contest for Prince Of Pillo, but he can put his recent lessons to good use.
Mo Celita is another who ran at Doncaster's St Leger meeting, taking a creditable second to the progressive Manaccan in the Listed Scarbrough Stakes.
The five furlongs on Town Moor looked a bit sharp for Adrian Nicholls' charge, who was beaten a length and a half after just lacking the extra gear of the winner.
An extra half-furlong in the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes should suit, as will the expected ease in the ground.
King Of Tonga is the choice in the Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup Handicap after a decent Chester victory on his most recent outing.
Courage Mon Ami hails form an excellent family and can make an immediate impact in the Unibet/Breeders Backing Racing EBF Novice Stakes at Kempton, while Mascat takes the eye in the Torbay Media Novices' Chase at Newton Abbot.
SELECTIONS
AYR: 1.25 Claretina, 2.00 Reward Smile, 2.35 Prince Of Pillo, 3.10 Mo Celita, 3.45 King Of Tonga, 4.20 Ayr Poet, 4.50 Albegrey, 5.20 Red Bond.
DOWNPATRICK: 1.50 Dunleer Phoenix, 2.25 Wee Willie Nail, 3.00 Darkest Hour, 3.35 Paidi's Passion, 4.10 Majavango, 4.45 Krujers Girl, 5.15 Ringdufferin.
DUNDALK: 4.55 Maggie McGrath, 5.25 Pop Star, 6.00 Ellabella, 6.30 Coviglia, 7.00 Soyounique, 7.30 Very Excellent, 8.00 Gulliver's Travels, 8.30 Fryda.
KEMPTON: 4.40 Alnilam, 5.10 Courage Mon Ami, 5.45 Bella Kopella, 6.15 Shin Saw Gyi, 6.45 Prenup, 7.15 Pons Aelius, 7.45 Dubai Immo, 8.15 Rose Camira.
NEWBURY: 1.07 Lajooje, 1.43 Skysail, 2.18 Silver Lady, 2.53 Haughty, 3.28 HIGHBANK (NAP), 4.03 Tacarib Bay, 4.35 Goolwa, 5.05 Vee Sight.
NEWTON ABBOT: 1.35 Mr Yeats, 2.10 Bagheera Ginge, 2.45 Mascat, 3.20 Maire's Dream, 3.55 Appreciate, 4.30 Minella Voucher, 5.00 Charming Berry.
DOUBLE: Highbank and Prince Of Pillo.
