Enjazaat can continue his golden spell
THE DUBAI DUTY Free Mill Reef Stakes is the main event on a strong card at Newbury now that Ayr has been abandoned.
Invincible Army and Nebo set the standard on form, but preference is for the lessexposed Enjazaat.
The Owen Burrowstrained juvenile has won twice from four starts and passed the post with two lengths in hand when claiming Listed honours in the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy last month.
That effort can be upgraded in light of the subsequent Doncaster victory of the runner-up, Tip Two Win, and Enjazaat looks more than capable of holding his own at this level.
Dylan Mouth made the most of having his sights lowered a shade when bolting up under a big weight in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock in July and with confidence buoyed, he deserves maximum respect in the Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup.
Marco Botti has his sights fixed on a challenge for the Emirates Melbourne Cup so a decent run here will put him cherry ripe for that.
While the days of this race being seen as an Arc Trial never really materialised, there are some classy operators nevertheless.
Desert Encounter was placed in the Coral Eclipse while it was not too long ago My Dream Boat won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Across The Stars was another who won at Royal Ascot last year who is looking to return to his best but Botti does well with these older performers and seems to be able to eke out improvement.
Not many can win competitive handicaps off marks over 100 but he managed that at Haydock so he fully warrants being stepped back up in class.
Plenty of familiar names contest the other Group race on the card, the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes, and fancied to lead them home is the William Haggas-trained Muthmir.
After appearing to lose his way last season Haggas has coaxed him back to something like his best with the aid of cheekpieces.
While he faced a tough task at Sandown in attempting to give weight to Battaash, prior to that he ran a blinder in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot.
The flying fillies Lady Aurelia and Marsha were not too far in front of him there but crucial to his chance is fast ground.
Unbelievably with Ayr waterlogged, the conditions at Newbury are good and despite his penalty, Muthmir can stamp his class on the race.
At Newmarket the Betfred Cesarewitch Trial features plenty of names better known for their exploits over hurdles and one of those, Sternrubin, might take some stopping.