Newmarket Saturday Preview - 06/06/20

The first runner of the day for us at Newmarket is the in form Andrew Balding trained Stone Of Destiny that has a lot in his favour now back at five furlongs.

The King Power owned runner has been hit and miss throughout his career with average runs over six furlongs in big fields.

Now back at five furlongs and back on the same mark as the last time he raced and won over this trip at Ascot, he has to be taken seriously at a nice price.

The first big race on 2000 Guineas day is the Group Three Palace House Stakes over five furlongs and in this sprint contest there are many familiar faces.

The one we like is the Kevin Ryan trained Major Jumbo who was third in this race last year off the same mark and should give a strong bid again.

He is a course and distance winner and known for his front running tactics that may pay dividends in this field if going a good speed at the start.

The group contests come thick and fast on Saturday and the Dahlia Fillies' Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlong looks a very classy affair.

There are two Godolphin fillies at the top of the market and we are siding with Magic Lily for Charlie Appleby who just has that bit more experience that we believe will pay.

She has been in fine form this year with three runs between a mile and slightly further and with two seconds and a win she looks the pick of the bunch.

Her latest second saw her finish behind stablemate Barney Roy in the Group One Jebel Hatta on good ground and if the rain stays away will have perfect conditions in a weaker race.

One of the most exciting runners for us on Saturday is the John Gosden trained Waldkonig who just looks a star in the making and he is making his first start on turf.

The Listed Newmarket Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs has given us some stand out winners over the years and we believe it is going to do the same with this three year old.

This son of Kingman really does have a lot going for him and is already high in the betting for the Derby after just one run.

The three year old has a famous bloodline being a half brother to last season's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist and on his debut he showed that star ability the family has.

He went to Wolverhampton in December over 1 mile 1/2 furlong and bolted up like a horse you have never seen before, running green but then powering away in the finish.

Best bet of the day.

The first Classic of the season is finally here and we have two selections for the Group One mile contest and the first is Pinatubo for Charlie Appleby.

The three year old last season lit up the racing world when landing all six of his contests including the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and after that landing back to back Group Ones in the National Stakes in Ireland and the Dewhurst at Newmarket.

Having accomplished all this in a short space of time, getting better and better with each run which earned a two pound higher rating than Frankel at the age of two.

He is a special talent that if taking to the extra trip could be unstoppable.

Our second selection which is advised to be taken each way is Kinross for Ralph Beckett and this youngster like Pinatubo looks a very progressive type.

As a Kingman colt is he expected to improve plenty as a 3-y-o and he has proven course form having bolted up by 8 lengths here on debut.

He followed that up with a poor display in the Futurity Trophy (sent off 13/8) but we are happy to put a line through that race with it being ran on the AW at Newcastle, which will have suited the US-bred winner.

Hamdan Al Maktoum has made a very nice start to the 2020 flat season with some nice winners and another who could extend that run is Montatham for trainer William Haggas.

The four year old has very low mileage for his age and in very similar events last year put in some strong performances that more or less saw him in the frame in most contests.

On his four starts last year he went on to win nicely once at Beverley and then after that was thirds and fourth in Class 2 and three events and he if fit enough should give a good running.

With no bet in the third from last race of the day we move on to this Class 2 handicap and we are looking for a quick-fire double for Hamdan Al Maktoum with Huraiz.

The Mark Johnston trained three year old is a very speedy type that has raced four times during his career and has won twice out of those runs.

He started his career with back to back wins over Newcastle and course and distance at Newcastle, he then went to Kempton in a tougher race and finished a nice third and backed that up in the Listed Rockingham Stakes at York with a good fourth.

He has now been gelded which should help him concentrate and now slightly older could be even better.

The final contest of the day is another Class 2 Handicap but this time over a mile and half and the big priced Nate The Great takes the eye for us.

Andrew Balding is the most in form trainer since the start of the season on Monday and we are hoping he has go this four year old nice and fit ahead of his seasonal return

The gelding one the peak of his form in Listed and Group company must be respected putting in some smart performances, especially over this trip and ground.