ITV Racing Chepstow, Newmarket and York Preview - 08/10/21

The first selection of the day from Newmarket comes in the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes over five furlongs and we are giving a chance to the Irish raider Twilight Jet.

Connections have experimented with his trip often this season, he was beaten over five furlongs on debut back in May and then finished fifth of seven at the Curragh behind the smart Castle Star.

He’s since been seen over in a couple of group races over 6 furlongs and 7 furlongs and has posted a couple of good place efforts behind some very talented horses.

The only win of his career came over this trip back in June and having not since ran over five furlongs, going back to it could be what he needs and having taken some very good horses close this term we are hoping his class will shine through.

The first event of the afternoon from Chepstow is the Veteran's Handicap Chase over three miles and we can't get away from the JP McManus owned Geordie Des Champs.

The 10 year old was seen for the first time in three years last term having been off the track and slightly, struggled needing both his runs.

Given some time off the Rebecca Curtis trained gelding came back during this summer and returned with a win over hurdles at Ffos Las.

Last time out he made it 2/2 when narrowly taking a small runner handicap hurdle and although stepping back up over fences he is only 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

Can't be ignored making his hat-trick bid.

Next up is the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes over seven furlongs and Perfect News for the inform William Haggas won't be far away.

The two year old filly has been seen four times during her career, finishing a bright second on debut at Yarmouth and then backing that up at Carlisle when getting off the mark in nice style.

Sent to Salisbury for the Group Three Dick Poole Stakes she never ran her races, but put that blip behind her last time out when taking out a good handicap over course and distance off a mark of 93.

Now rated 100 she is being thrown back into group company and if improving again the daughter of Frankel should be in the mix.

The feature race of the day at Chepstow is the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Chase over 2m 3 1/2f and we have highlighted Coeur Serein as the horse to back.

The seven year old for Jonjo O'Neill was seen four times last term over timber, finishing fourth of 12 on seasonal debut but since going on to land a hat-trick of wins at Warwick, Newbury and Huntingdon.

His latest event saw him see off a good field over a staying trip and although he is dropping back in distance for this event, his stamina could be the difference in this event.

Nice each way player.

One of the best events on the Newmarket card is the Group Two Challenge Stakes over seven furlongs and we are siding with the seven year old D'Bai.

The son of Dubawi went to Newbury in September and finished a good third over seven furlongs behind stablemate Glorious Journey and Final Song.

He then backed that up in October at Kempton in a Conditions Stakes when finishing second behind Harry's Bar before being put away for a stint in Meydan.

D'Bai made his first appearance in the UAE in January when a bright second in a 7f Group Two behind a nice type for Saeed bin Suroor.

He then used that run to get off the mark for the year when taking a Group Two over a mile and next time out he had his first run back for six months in the Hungerford Stakes and looked to need it in a big way.

With that under his belt he was a good second behind stablemate Glorious Journey in the Group Two Park Stakes and again last time out he was a good runner up in a nice Listed event.

Having been knocking on the door he should go close again in this event and looks the value in the race at the prices, handling softer conditions.

The first event of the day from the Knavesmire is the Class 2 Handicap over a mile and we are going with the Richard Hannon trained Ouzo.

The each way chance has struggled of late which has seen his mark drop to what looks to be extremely feasible for a horse of his talent.

He is now back down to the same mark which saw him take this event last term and with him doing his best work on soft ground it looks like conditions have come up trumps for him.

The feature event of the afternoon is the Group One Fillies' Mile and it looks to be a one horse race with Inspiral a very smart youngster for John & Thady Gosden.

The Cheveley Park Stud owned juvenile is one of the most inexperienced horses in the field, but obviously holds bundles of ability off the back of her debut.

The daughter of Frankel on debut was seen landing a seven furlong event on good to firm at Newmarket in superb style, with the second and third in that race since going on to frank it.

She then went onto boost that form line herself next time out stepping up to Listed company and being a standout winner of the Star Stakes at Sandown.

Last time out she stepped up again into Group Two company at May Hill Stakes and took the event in style by four lengths.

The filly looks highly progressive and deserves her chance in a Group One and she looks like she should make it 4/4 for her career.

The final event from York is another decent Handicap event this time over the staying trip of 14 furlongs and Ravenscraig Castle at 7/1 looks the value.

The three year old gelding has been a very smart horse for the Iain Jardine yard this season, winning his first two events in taking style making a mockery of his marks of 69 and 73.

He was then sent over today's course and distance for the Melrose Handicap and finished a close up third of 22 runners.

The gelding has since been seen finishing second at Musselburgh in a race he should have won and still only on a mark of 87 the handicapper might not have him yet.

Big each way player.

The penultimate event on the Newmarket card is the Old Rowley Cup and we can't get away from the top weighted Siskany, who looks a star in this field.

A smart juvenile last year getting off the mark at the second time of asking, he was saved for this term and has shown plenty of ability over staying trips.

On his seasonal debut he made it back to back wins at Windsor, seeing off Royal Ascot winner Surefire.

Off the back of that race he landed a hat-trick of wins taking out a small fielded handicap at Sandown in commanding style.

He was then fourth in that race that Surefire won at Royal Ascot with the King George V Stakes seeing some nice horses finish strongly.

Last time out the Godolphin owned colt was a narrow second at Glorious Goodwood behind the smart Nagano and having been off since then he should be fresh for this event.

Class act in the field