Native to blaze a trail for Appleby

CHARLIE APPLEBY can dominate on a card packed with high-class action at Newmarket, where it could be a huge afternoon in general for the royal blue of Godolphin.

A week on from disappointment for the Moulton Paddocks team in the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe, all eyes will be on Native Trail - with the 2000 Guineas favourite expected to deliver in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

The Oasis Dream colt brings a perfect three-from-three record into the juvenile championship, most recently oozing class in the National Stakes at the Curragh.

Once engaging top gear he readily put the odds-on Point Lonsdale away, with Group One winner Ebro River in third. Despite the betting speaking in favour of Aidan O’brien’s runner, it was hardly a surprise, because Appleby had won the race twice before with topnotchers Quorto and Pinatubo.

It is the turn of Coroebus, for Appleby and Buick, before Native Trail. The strapping son of Dubawi goes in the Emirates Autumn Stakes, making a reasonably swift return to action after what was a dramatic defeat over course and distance in the Royal Lodge.

A jet-propelled turn of foot looked to have sealed it that day - but Coroebus began to tread water in front, and Royal Patronage rallied to get up and win.

It is easy to say now that Buick might have gone too soon, but so well did he travel and so quickly did he pick up that circumstance dictated he did not have a lot of option. He knows now exactly what he has underneath him.

To cap things off for Godolphin, there is every chance the Applebytrained Barney Roy can do the honours as he returns in the Darley Stakes.

At York, the John Quinn-trained Mr Wagyu should run another good race in the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap.

The six-year-old is in terrific shape at the moment, beaten less than three lengths in the Ayr Gold Cup and not far away in fourth over this course and distance soon afterwards. He obviously remains competitive off his current mark, and the ground ought to be about ideal.