Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHAMPIONS DAY
Dream team ready to land another big prize with Purser
PURSER is fancied to give the ‘Enable’ team another big-race victory by claiming the Autumn Stakes (2.25) at Newmarket.
After a winning debut at Newbury in August, the John Gosden trainee – carrying the colours of Khalid Abdullah – had little luck in running when fourth to Masar in the Solario Stakes at Sandown 15 days later.
But he was back in the winner’s enclosure after giving Rab Havlin a comeback success with a nine-length call at Lingfield nine days ago.
Frankie Dettori’s mount has plenty more to give and, with the step up to a mile a plus, can score in this higher grade.
Only the needy or greedy will seek to get involved, but it’s hard to see past hot favourite
in the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes (3.00).
Such was the manner of the Newbury debut winner’s fourand-a-half-length margin in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood that Sir Michael Stoute’s juvenile now sits atop the betting for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.
A foot problem and a low-grade virus have conspired to keep Expert Eye off the track since, but this most exciting colt has been bouncing on the Newmarket gallops since, so cue long faces at Freemason Lodge if he suffers a first defeat.
The 10-furlong trip of Newmarket’s opening Listed Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (1.50) should bring out the best in who is the type to relish a stamina test.
At York,
looks sure to give a good account of himself in the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap (3.15).
My selection had several of this afternoon’s rivals in his wake when going under by a short head in the rescheduled Ayr Gold Cup at Haydock two weeks ago and is capable of going one better.
Owen Burrows’ is improving at a rate of knots, so the move up to Listed level for the coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes (2.40) should be within range.
He disappointed in the Cambridgeshire last time, but
shouldn’t be written off and appeals in York’s curtain-raiser at 2.05.