COSMIC TO STAR AT NEWCASTLE
Cosmic Law can rule the roost on his first try in public on an artificial surface when he contests the first all-weather fast-track qualifier of the winter season at Newcastle tomorrow.
The Richard Faheytrained colt has had a decent juvenile season, highlighted by his victory in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom in June.
He has been quite highly tried and ran a good race on his latest start when third to Vintage Brut in the Listed Rockingham Stakes.
Cosmic Law can take advantage of a drop in grade for the Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Conditions Stakes.
Reputation should also relish coming down in class when he lines up for the Betway Optional Claiming Handicap.
The John Quinn-trained five-year-old has run in some of the biggest sprint handicaps, including the Stewards’ Cup and Great St Wilfrid Handicap.
He was not beaten that far in either and shaped well on his latest start when fifth at Kempton a month ago.
Oceanus can make a successful switch to the Flat in the Jark (KL) Handicap at Yarmouth following a recent run over hurdles.
The four-year-old, trained by Julia Feilden, did not run up to scratch over obstacles at Huntingdon but is better judged on his form on the level, especially at this track.
He won over this mile and a quarter in May and was third over the course and distance in August.
Taoiseach has looked a winner waiting to happen in his two starts for Henry Candy and can oblige in the 100% Profit Boost At 32Redsport.com Handicap at Kempton.
The son of Roderic O’Connor has finished third at Chelmsford and second at Windsor in the past month.
He certainly showed improved form the last day and looks ready to make a successful handicap debut.
Outrage only went down by a head on his last visit to the Sunbury track and can make amends in the 32Red Handicap over six furlongs.
In the meantime, Daniel Kubler’s six-year-old has collected over the minimum trip at Newcastle. A 5lb rise in the ratings may not stop him following up.
Smart hurdler Chesterfield can get his career over fences off to the best possible start by winning the Bidfood Best Mate Beginners’ Chase at Exeter.
Trainer Seamus Mullins has been schooling the 2017 Scottish Champion Hurdle scorer over the bigger obstacles for some time and the eight-year-old can show how versatile he is with a good round of jumping.
Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien feels there should be more to come from I Can Fly next season after she pushed Roaring Lion close in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The filly went down by only a neck and is now Group One placed to add to her Group Two win in the Boomerang Stakes.
“We thought she was a Guineas filly. She just lost her way in the middle but has been progressing with every run since, massive progressive as we saw, and there could still be even more to come next year,” said O’Brien. “She’s a smart filly.” O’Brien was able to give a clean bill of health to all his Champions Day runners, but no decision will be rushed over which horses now head to the Breeders’ Cup.
“They all seem to be fine. We’ll see how they are next week and then we’ll have a chat and see what will go on to America or what will be retired,” he said.
“Obviously some of thosefillieswillbeleftalone now.
“Rhododendron (fifth in Champion Stakes) might be left alone now as she’s after doing a lot. The lads will talk about it now, but she’s a very important mare and she’s done it at two and three.
“She’s a filly that, looking back at it, a mile could have been her best trip, even though she has a lot of good form over a mile and a quarter. She still ran well.”