Yibir has the class to shine at Newmarket

YIBIR can get a big weekend for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin up and running when he goes in the Betfair Exchange Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket today, writes Captain Wessex.

The Moulton Paddocks handler, along with jockey William Buick, have made a fine start to the season and look set for more Group level honours in this onemile-four-furlong contest.

The six-time winner emerged victorious four times in his threeyear-old season, firstly capturing the Bahrain Trophy and Great Voltigeur on home soil, before striking twice overseas in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont and then at the Breeders’ Cup.

That final Del Mar success in the Breeders’ Cup Turf marked him out as one of finest operators at this distance and although tasting defeat when the 7-2 favourite for the Dubai Sheema Classic on his first run of 2022, it does little to sway the opinion Yibir will take plenty of beating.

The Dubawi gelding is 11lb clear of his opposition on official figures and is backed to put on an impressive display before tougher challenges later in the season.

Before that Appleby and Buick team up with the four-timer seeking Nations Pride in the Listed Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Newmarket Stakes, although the value in the race may lie with Roger Varian’s Subastar, who made a winning debut at HQ last autumn.

Although the second Dawn Of Liberation slightly let down the form in the Feilden Stakes, the race has been full of winners, with the third Symbol Of Light winning three on the spin since while the fourth, Magisterial, has been on the board at both Haydock and Leicester.

Elsewhere at headquarters, Wizard D’amour registered the success his consistency deserved at Catterick last time and has a fine chance of following up under a 5lb penalty in the Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap, while Harry Davies’ 7lb claim can be put to good use aboard Carolus Magnus in the Betfair Handicap.