Eve’s colt Chipotle to add spice to Sprint

Chipotle can scoop the near £100,000 first prize in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury tomorrow.

There is an obvious temptation, of course, to look away from a potentially shortpriced favourite in a 22-runner renewal of a race which has fallen to its fair share of long-priced winners over the years.

Equally, however, the 100-30 head of the market prevailed 12 months ago, and there is no question Chipotle has outstanding credentials.

Eve Johnston Houghton’s colt is a three-time winner, from his four starts, up to Listed level. He began his career by proving himself a leading light among the early two-year-olds with victory in the Brocklesby at Doncaster – where the re-opposing Vintage Clarets was four lengths adrift in fourth.

Chipotle subsequently took a conditions race at Ascot and most recently overcame a slow start to rattle home in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal meeting.

His only defeat has come at that same Listed level, when encountering soft ground at Sandown in the National Stakes. Back on a sound surface this weekend and still at the minimum trip, Chipotle’s only comparable challenger on ratings is Coventry Stakes third and dual winner Vintage Clarets.

They are both vastly favoured at the weights, against fellow bargain buys under the race conditions.

A duel is therefore in prospect from their wide draws – and although the form book suggests precious little between them, Chipotle won last time in the manner of a classy juvenile who can continue to progress.

The lightly-raced Zeeband has looked a young stayer to watch, and he can prove the point by winning the Bahrain Turf Series Handicap.

The four-year-old, trained by Roger Varian, appreciated the step up to an extended two miles when winning the consolation race for the Northumberland Plate in smooth fashion. He put his 18 rivals to the sword, winning by two and a half lengths from Margaret Dumont thanks to a telling turn of foot in the final furlong.

Zeeband has gone up 8lb for that success – but on that display, he looks ahead of the handicapper.

Golden Pass can take the

Listed spoils in the Ric And Nary Hambro Aphrodite Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.

Hugo Palmer’s four-yearold has been limited to just six runs so far but she looks to be in great form this season and capable of winning a race of this nature. She overcame a seven-month absence when making a successful seasonal reappearance in a handicap at

Thirsk in May and then was beaten just a neck by Katara at this level at Pontefract four weeks ago.