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Friday's card at Newmarket is a competitive affair with the welcome addition of the rescheduled Group 2 bet365 Mile from Sandown Park.
Friday's card at Newmarket is a competitive affair with the welcome addition of the rescheduled Group 2 bet365 Mile from Sandown Park.
In the 1m4f Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (3:35), West Wind Blows takes on Group 1 Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane, who will be looking to get his career back on track. Hurricane Lane enjoyed a sensational three-year-old campaign, picking up victories in the Irish Classic, the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris and the Group 1 St Leger Stakes before a third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Disappointing in two runs at four, Hurricane Lane returned in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury but finished a well-beaten last.
Ed and Simon Crisford's West Wind Blows could take advantage of a regressing Hurricane Lane, having produced some eye-catching performances at three. His form is not up to the same standard but he was a convincing winner of the 1m2f Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at Longchamp before finishing third over the same course and distance in the Group 2 Prix du Dollar. The distance would be a question mark (0-2).
Hurricane Lane's stablemate Global Storm could provide an interesting alternative to the top pair, as a proven performer over the distance. He commenced a Meydan campaign with a win in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold prior to a well-beaten run over two miles in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup where he lacked for stamina. His form is patchy but the win in Meydan demonstrated the six-year-old is capable on his day.
DARK HORSE: GLOBAL STORM
The rescheduled Group 2 bet365 Mile (1:50) sees the return of Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Native Trail. The Charlie-Appleby trained colt underwent wind surgery at the end of last season following a disappointing fifth in the Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes. He sets the standard with proven form over the track with a success in the course and distance Group 3 Craven Stakes prior to a second in the 2000 Guineas.
Native Trail's main opposition is likely to be the David Simcock-trained Light Infantry who returns to the trainer after a brief stint in Australia. Transferred to the charge of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Light Infantry produced a strong effort to finish two lengths sixth in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill. A Group Three winner in the UK as a juvenile, Light Infantry finished second in both the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat and Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at three. He remains open to further improvement after six career starts and could pose a challenge to Native Trail.
WIN: NATIVE TRAIL
The betting market suggests the Listed Newmarket Stakes over 1m2f (1:15) is an open affair with Castle Way, Salt Bay, Victory Dance and Like A Tiger all trading around the 5/1 mark. Like A Tiger has the benefit of race fitness after a course and distance handicap success on the 19th of April, where he won impressively by four lengths.
Charlie Appleby's Castle Way is an exciting prospect as a half-brother to champion miler Palace Pier. By Almanzor, he may prefer an additional stamina test in time and makes his seasonal reappearance following a track and trip handicap success in October. Stablemate Victory Dance was third in the Group 3 Tattersall Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket to end his juvenile campaign and could find improvement tackling a longer trip.
The Ralph Beckett-trained Salt Bay was a debut winner at Haydock before a credible third in the 1m G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on heavy ground. The return to a sounder surface on seasonal reappearance will suit.
WIN: SALT BAY
Majestic Pride heads the field in the 7f Listed King Charles II Stakes (2:25) for trainer Charlie Appleby and may prove a tough opponent after his course and distance win in mid-April. Richard Hannon's Shouldvebeenaring offers the main opposition with the benefit of four runs already this year.
The 1m2f maiden for fillies (4:45) tends to produce a good winner and Sir Michael Stoute's Infinite Cosmos is potentially a future Black Type performer. Out of Listed winner Waila, she was a good second over a mile at Doncaster on debut in October and holds an entry in the Group 1 Epsom Oaks.
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