Richard Fahey has threatened to take over Newbury’s Super Sprint in the way Richard Hannon Sr once did, winning it twice in the past three years. The Yorkshire trainer runs almost a third of the field for this year’s renewal but appears to have an especially strong chance with Lucky Mistake (4.10).
This colt is not so experienced as Fahey’s previous winners, coming here after just one previous outing and that a defeat. But there was masses of promise in his second placing at York last weekend, when he got within a length of a more experienced rival from Godolphin that cost 20 times as much and holds a Gimcrack entry.
Clem Fandango looks a false favourite. While she did well to run third in the Queen Mary, she trailed the winner by almost 10 lengths. Super Julius might be worth a second look, having impressed in victory at Chester, even allowing for the fact that he was perfectly drawn on the inside that day.
2.15 Market Rasen From the stable that won this last year, Hassle can extend his winning run over hurdles to three since joining Dr Newland in the autumn. He looked a much improved performer in those recent successes but his hurdle rating still looks on the low side, in view of how talented he was on the Flat.
2.30 Newbury Golden Stunner is tempting, especially with her stable doing so well just now, but she may not have the same upside as Alyday, who has had just three starts and broke her maiden last time out. A half-sister to Dubday and other winners, she could be improving too quickly for the handicapper to keep pace, though she needs to prove she can handle this faster surface.
2.45 Market Rasen Having been unable to go the Grand Annual pace at the Festival, Germany Calling could be well suited by this extra half-mile. That seemed to be true when he ran so well at Uttoxeter last time, just tiring close home on his first start for two months.
3.00 Newbury Running third to Time Test and Western Hymn was a storming reappearance run for Scottish, now with Godolphin. A repeat of that form ought to be good enough at this lower level and this course and distance seemed to suit him when he won his maiden here in spring last year.
3.15 Newmarket Firmament seems to have improved since joining David O’Meara in the autumn and it may be worth taking a chance that he can translate his all-weather form to fast turf, which he has not encountered since last summer.
3.35 Newbury Rain-softened ground seems to have been against The Tin Man at Royal Ascot, where he was well beaten when fancied for a Group One. This race is more winnable and should be staged on a sounder surface.
3.50 Newmarket This requires a lot of improvement from Taqaareed, last seen winning a Kempton maiden by daylight. She may well be capable of the necessary step up, as a sister to Taghrooda, who was a week away from winning the King George at the same stage of her career. John Gosden has had the winner of this race twice in the past 10 years.
