ITV Saturday Preview - 18/05/19

Red Impression certainly made just that in her two starts as a juvenile last term, when winning at both Lingfield and Kempton on the All-weather, and now takes her campaign for the opening race at Newbury and on ITV on Saturday - the Shalaa Carnarvon Stakes.

The three-year-old grey filly finished third on a her reappearance at Chelmsford in Listed honours earlier this month, and should improve on what will be her first start on the turf for Roger Charlton.

Looks progressive and consistent over this trip of six furlongs - should go close under Jason Watson.Stall one a further plus.

The first selection from Newmarket of the day comes in the Listed Fairway Stakes over one-mile-and-two-furlongs and we have gone for the Godolphin owned Al Hilalee.

This bright three-year-old was unbeaten as a juvenile winning nicely at Newmarket on debut and then landing a Listed contest in France.

On his seasonal debut this season he was put straight into the 2,000 Guineas where he never ran his race but on Saturday he is being upped in trip in a smaller field and back down to a Class he can dominate in.

A very genuine, likeable character from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, Crystal Ocean looked to pick up where he left off from last season and did so when taking the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown a few weeks back.

After victory in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, the now five-year-old son of Sea The Stars did finish second in his next three starts, but ran into a top-class individual each time, including Enable at Kempton and Cracksman back at the Berkshire venue.

This time of season he usually prepares well for future engagements with victories, and more of the same will be expected in the first group action of the day - the Al Rayyan Stakes over a mile-and-a-half.

The second race of the day at Newmarket is another Listed contest, this time over seven furlongs and in the King Charles II Stakes we have gone for the favourite Jash.

This progressive three year old for trainer Simon Crisford has had three races to date and has set a fine record for himself so far with two wins and a good second.

The colt was really progressive over six furlongs last season finishing second to Ten Sovereigns in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and stepping up a furlong in similar conditions could make him tough to beat.

The London Gold Cup Handicap is always a contest to look back on at the end of the season to find out how many winners it has produced over the course of the year, and Solid Stone will be hoping to use this as a potential stepping stone onto bigger and better things.

This three-year-old got the better of War Tiger in a good scrap in a five-runner handicap at Newmarket on latest start a month ago over the distance required today.

Learned to knuckle down to the task for Sir Michael Stoute and looks a rapid developer on the rise in some well-known colours for the yard.

Strong contender in this big field.

Another nice race on the Newmarket card is the Class 2 Handicap over six furlongs and in this hot contest we have sided with the Kevin Ryan trained Yousini.

This three year old gelding made a lovely seasonal debut with a good second over course and distance when struggling for room but finishing off nicely.

If getting a clearer run he has nice each way claims with conditions to suit and from the evidence of the Guineas a good draw in stall 14.

Previously with Andre Fabre, Aidan O'Brien secured the services of former French Guineas second Le Brivido before his Irish debut at Naas in April, and now takes him to the big event of the day - the Group One Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Third to Dermot Weld's Imaging over seven, this five-year-old has been very well punted and fancied for this contest, over the mile he is so craving to return to.

Won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot a couple of years ago, and should bounce back to his best with a solid effort.

High class field for this year's renewal - Le Brivido carries a big weight of expectation.