Newbury races: tips, racecards and previews for Saturday's card on Mill Reef Stakes day

IT'S Mill Reef Stakes day at Newbury on Saturday.

The Berkshire track stages a cracking renewal of the big Group 2, while there are also some tasty supporting races to get stuck into.

Race 1 – 1.10 SIS Family Fun Day EBF Novice Stakes (Div 1)

CHEROKEE TRAIL has to give weight away to some interesting newcomers here.

But he won with a degree of authority on his racecourse debut and he can make his experience count.

Perhaps the most interesting debutant is Hugo Palmer's Kingman colt Imrahor, though keep an eye out for any market strength behind Tahitian Prince, too.

SELECTION: Cherokee Trail

WATCH OUT FOR: Imrahor

Race 2 – 1.45 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (Group 3)

Dakota Gold has progressed at a rate of knots this season and he is a worthy favourite.

However, narrow preference is for EQUILATERAL, who finally regained the winning thread at Doncaster last time.

He has always had a big engine and he has a good opportunity here to string together a sequence of victories.

Hit The Bid is the pick of the remainder.

SELECTION: Equilateral

DANGER: Dakota Gold

Race 3 – 2.20 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes (Group 3)

Ready preference is for the smart three-year-old PONDUS.

James Fanshawe's colt has been knocking on the door in stakes company of late and he will appreciate the return to a sounder surface over this longer trip.

Desert Encounter has been a wonderful servant for the David Simcock yard and he is undoubtedly the main danger.

Wadilsafa has had a disappointing campaign to date but he won't be far away if putting his best foot forwards.

SELECTION: Pondus

DANGER: Desert Encounter

Race 4 – 2.55 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)

It will be interesting to see how Pierre Lapin goes in the betting on his return from an absence.

He remains an exciting prospect but this is a big step up after 120 days off.

MALOTRU caught the eye when a never nearer fourth behind Threat in the Gimcrack at York last month.

He was given too much to do on that occasion and provided he can get a better early position here he ought to run a massive race.

Mystery Power drops back in trip and shoulders a 3lb penalty, but he sets the standard and commands respect.

Impressor created a good impression at Salisbury and is another to note.

SELECTION: Malotru

WATCH OUT FOR: Pierre Lapin

Race 5 – 3.30 Dubai Duty Free Handicap

FOREST OF DEAN is a handicapper going places.

He arrives seeking a hat-trick following decisive victories at both Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor Festival.

He has gone up a whopping 17lb in two runs but he looks a Group horse in the making.

Migration should have won at Sandown last time when narrowly touched off by the re-opposing Hyanna.

He ought to turn that form around and is the likeliest threat to the selection.

Gibbs Hill will be happier back in handicap company, while first-time cheek pieces could eke some improvement out of Great Example.

SELECTION: Forest Of Dean

DANGER: Migration

Race 6 – 4.05 SIS Family Fun Day EBF Novice Stakes (Div 2)

It could pay to take a flyer on the well-bred newcomer MAURIMO.

This filly is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Cannock Chase and Irish Oaks heroine Star Catcher, but she is also related to some sharp two-year-old's so there is reason for optimism that she can go well early.

Kingman colt Raaeq shaped with promise on his debut at Salisbury earlier this month.

A big run looks on the cards from him, while Haqeeqy is also worth a close look for the red-hot John Gosden team.

TAKE A CHANCE ON: Maurimo

DANGER: Raaeq

Race 7 – 4.40 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap

KOSCIUSZKO was punted off the boards in a good race at Ascot last time.

He was a little disappointing in finishing fourth, but this galloping track should be more to his liking and he can make amends off 1lb lower.

What A Welcome has struggled to repeat last season's heroics, but he is slipping down the weights and can't be ruled out.

Hat-trick seeker Fantastic Blue is best of the rest.

SELECTION: Kosciuszko

DANGER: What A Welcome

Race 8 – 5.15 Heatherwold Stud Handicap

An underwhelming end to the card in which BEAR FORCE ONE gets a tentative nod.

He won a shade cosily under Jason Watson at Kempton last month and goes handicapping off a lenient enough mark.

Song Of The Isles has been in good nick this summer and isn't passed over lightly, while Quarry Beach is becoming expensive to follow but will be bang there once again.

SELECTION: Bear Force One

DANGER: Song Of The Isles

Source: Read Full Article