We’re set for an exciting day’s racing at Newbury, with the Greenham Stakes the feature at 2pm.
2.00 Newbury – Zavateri and Albert Einstein headline the Greenham
A field of eight go to post in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs, with Zavateri and Albert Einstein the headline acts.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt Zavateri enjoyed a stellar two-year-old season, winning two Group 2s before landing the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh and finishing fourth in the Dewhurst. He returns here on seasonal reappearance ahead of a possible Irish 2,000 Guineas bid.
Albert Einstein represents Aidan O’Brien and is an intriguing contender in a race the trainer has never won. The Wootton Bassett colt disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at the Curragh three weeks ago but O’Brien remains confident; Albert Einstein runs in a first-time hood here.
Coolmore’s other runner is Title Role for Simon and Ed Crisford. The Too Darn Hot colt won the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan last time, getting the better of Godolphin’s Talk Of New York. Also to note are the unbeaten Gonna Fly (Ralph Beckett) and Alparslan (Karl Burke).
1.25 Newbury – Touleen faces 14 rivals in the Fred Darling
Fifteen go to post in the Fred Darling Stakes over seven furlongs, with Touleen aiming to test her 1000 Guineas credentials ahead of a possible Newmarket Classic start. Trained by Owen Burrows, she won her first two races before finishing fifth in the Group 2 Rockfel as a juvenile; Saffie Osborne takes the ride.
Richard & Peter Fahey saddle Ayr Group 3 winner Catching The Moon, with Ryan Moore booked. The unbeaten Domina Ignis rides with David Egan for Kevin Philippart de Foy; bought for €300,000 as a breeze-up, she wears a first-time hood in the Amo Racing silks. Rossa Ryan partners Ralph Beckett’s K Sarra, also unbeaten and entered in both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks. Keep an eye on Zooming, Stimulative Trip and Group-placed Princess Petrol.
2.35 Newbury – Convergent and Pride Of Arras in the John Porter
A classy seven-runner field lines up for the John Porter Stakes over twelve furlongs. Karl Burke’s Convergent looks the one to beat after progressive form and two Group wins last season; he makes his seasonal reappearance with Coronation Cup hopes possible. The main danger may be Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras, who disappointed in the Derby and Irish Derby but bounced back after being gelded to win the Great Voltigeur Stakes. William Haggas’ Al Aasy, winner of this in 2021, seeks another Group success with Tom Marquand booked.
John and Thady Gosden run Lion’s Pride with Ryan Moore, William Buick rides Phantom Flight (who has had a strong start to the year in the Middle East), and Andrew Balding’s Bellum Justum plus Haggas’ Tenability complete the line-up.
Best of the rest
At 3.10pm a competitive field of 26 contest the Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap. Now rated 94, Back In Black is likely to be popular for James Fanshawe, while Rogue Diplomat seeks to go one better after a recent runner-up finish.
The 3.45pm Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships “Confined” Maiden Stakes attracts 25 runners, featuring top yards and owners. Godolphin’s 550,000gns yearling Glory Of The Seas—who has entries in the Dante, Derby and Irish Derby—lines up, opposed by Water To Wine, debuting for the Gosden team with Ryan Moore aboard.
Over at Bangor, El Rojo Grande bids for a fifth win in seven starts in the Gieves & Hawkes Novices’ Handicap Chase at 1.52pm. Later, Reckless Spending headlines the Bangor-On-Dee Novices’ Hurdle (2.27pm) for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
