DANCE KNOWS ALL THE MOVES
DANCE SEQUENCE can book her 1,000 Guineas ticket with victory in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.
The daughter of Dubawi won each of her two juvenile starts, triumphing over seven furlongs on the July course before adding a Group Three victory in the Oh So Sharp Stakes on the Rowley Mile in August.
While she only beat Skellet a neck on that occasion, her performance can be upgraded as she had a lengthy absence between her two starts and looked a bit inexperienced in the middle part of the race before running on the final furlong to great effect.
Contender
Trainer Charlie Appleby did not enjoy a stellar campaign by his own high standards in 2023, but he has started this year in fine form and Dance Sequence appears his leading three-year-old filly at this stage.
Narkez is a fascinating contender for Andre Fabre in the bet365 Feilden Stakes.
He got within two lengths of leading French 2000 Guineas hope and fellow Nurlan Bizakov-owned colt Ramadan last term, with that one impressing with his Prix de Fontainbleau win.
Narkez opened the current campaign with a six-and-ahalf-length verdict over a mile on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud last month, so this nine-furlong trip should hold few fears for a colt with a solid middle-distance pedigree.
Embesto is the choice in the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes after making huge strides last term.
Roger Varian’s charge won his first two starts, winning by six lengths in a Yarmouth maiden on his racecourse debut before following up with a cosy novice victory at Doncaster in June.
Upped to Listed company subsequently, he found an on-form Nostrum too good at Newmarket but while that rival disappointed after, Embesto raised his game to a new level when deadheating in a Salisbury Group Three with Mighty Ulysses.
A further inching up to Group Two level in France only narrowly failed to pay dividends as he was beaten just under three lengths in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein, looking as though a move up from a mile would be to his liking.
Varian lets him loose over an extra furlong here and Embesto can thrive.
Battle
Sail Away can strike an important blow for Dan Skelton in the Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The trainer is involved in a thrilling battle for the trainers’ title and having lost valuable ground to Willie Mullins at Aintree on Saturday, the near £40,000 first prize on offer for this Grade Two would certainly cut into the deficit.
Last seen coming home fourth in the Grade One Ascot Chase, Sail Away posted a career best with that performance, albeit he came home 10 and a half lengths behind the winner, Pic D’Orhy.
An unchanged mark of 142 makes him an attractive prospect here with better spring ground a plus for him.
Peaky Boy was a winner at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day and can make a winning return to the track in the Citipost Novices’ Hurdle.
He beat Champagne Twist by five lengths on that occasion, with the runner-up having gone on to win the EBF Final at Sandown.
Now the Nicky Henderson team are back in form, Peaky Boy looks a likely type.
SELECTIONS
CHELTENHAM: 1.30 Peaky Boy, 2.05 Kamsinas, 2.40 Sail Away, 3.15 Betterforeveryone, 3.50 Shallow River, 4.25 Some Scope, 5.00 Rare Middleton.
KEMPTON: 5.30 General Assembly, 6.00 Katie G, 6.30 Alhather, 7.00 Sighter, 7.30 Grenham Bay, 8.00 Rosy Kiss, 8.30 Eccentric.
NEWMARKET: 1.50 Raatea, 2.25 Narkez, 3.00 Embesto, 3.35 DANCE SEQUENCE (NAP), 4.10 Bountiful, 4.45 Hillbridge, 5.20 Align The Stars.