Highland’s Premiere selection at ‘market

Highland Premiere can add a fourth win to his record in the British EBF Future Stayers Nursery Handicap at Newmarket.

The son of Highland Reel has proved tough and consistent for Mark Johnston, racing eight times so far during a busy juvenile campaign which saw him hit the frame on his first two starts before triumphing at the third attempt at Hamilton in June.

Moved to handicap company after that, Highland Premiere wasted no time in making the most of his starting mark of 76, beating two previous winners in the process when making all for a three-and-a-quarter-length verdict at Catterick.

Highland Premiere then found it tough going in a couple of very competitive heats at Goodwood and York, although on the first occasion he ran as though something were amiss rather than his increased mark of 81 proving an issue.

Upped to a mile at Newcastle subsequently, he turned in an improved effort before regaining the winning thread with a narrow verdict at Ayr on his most recent start.

Johnston moves up to 10 furlongs for this event, but an increased trip looks likely to suit on his pedigree - and he is certainly game for a fight.

Random Harvest has had just two starts to date, but an opening mark of 81 takes the eye in the Devils Dyke Fillies' Handicap.

Ed Walker's charge claimed a Yarmouth novice on her only outing as a juvenile, with that contest producing no fewer than eight subsequent winners to give real weight to the form.

The daughter of War Front was then off the track until last month, though, making her return from 337 days on the sidelines with third place in a Kempton novice - looking in need of the outing as she was tapped for toe at the finish.

Random Harvest should surely take a step forward for that run, and this looks a winnable race for a smartlybred filly.

Charlie Appleby claimed the British EBF Future Stayers Novice Stakes with superstar Hurricane Lane last year - and while Perseus Way will have a task on his hands to emulate the achievements of his stablemate, he can defy a penalty in the mile heat.

The son of Sea The Stars made a winning debut at Leicester at the start of the month, triumphing by threequarters of a length over a mile - on thoroughly testing ground, which was probably not ideal.

That was a fair performance, and he should be able to build on that.

Appleby may also be on the mark with Al Nafir – a full brother to multiple Group One winner Ghaiyyath – in the Home Of Racing Maiden Stakes.