UK Horse Racing Tips: Newmarket

FRANZ KAFKA made a very encouraging return to action when going down narrowly at Doncaster late last month. If the son of Dubawi improves for that run then he could be very hard to beat, despite finding himself in a harder race this afternoon. Greek Kodiac, Qutob and Sassoon all displayed promise as juveniles and they have to be respected, especially the first of those who ran well in a conditions race here in November. Rum Baba is arguably the most eye-catching newcomer, being from an in-form yard and a full brother to the Group 1 winner Sultanina, although he is from a family who tend to improve with time. Lost In Alaska is a full brother to Abe Lincoln, who is a talented performer for the same connections, while Joyful Mission and Mohareb are other interesting debutants.
Prediction : 1st Franz Kafka 2nd Greek Kodiac 3rd Qutob

It will be interesting to see how the four Godolphin representatives fare in the betting market but the most interesting of them on paper is arguably Well Of Wisdom. The son of Oasis Dream is a half-brother to the Australian Group 1 scorer Avilius, while another close relative of his is the Group 2 winner Saint Baudolino. Jockey bookings possibly suggest that Full Verse is Charlie Appleby's second string but he is arguably bred to be a better juvenile than Well Of Wisdom, being by Kodiac and out of a Queen Mary winner. Electrical Storm is a half-brother to Ribchester by Dubawi and is the pick of Saeed bin Suroor's pair. That said, the one to beat is clearly STRONG POWER, who only went down narrowly on his debut in the Brocklesby last month. That form has been boosted with the third winning since and George Scott's colt is entitled to improve for that experience. Percy Green and Millionaire Waltz are others who merit a market inspection.
Prediction : 1st Strong Power 2nd Well Of Wisdom 3rd Full Verse

FOX CHAMPION was mightily impressive when scoring at Doncaster on quick ground on his reappearance for Richard Hannon and could go well given an aggressive ride once more by Silvestre De Sousa. An expensive breeze-up purchase last year, the son of Kodiac seems at home over 7f and could put his experience to good use against Almashriq. The latter landed a gamble on debut at Newcastle in December and cost $1,200,000 as a yearling, so further improvement wouldn't exactly be a surprise now on turf for John Gosden. Almufti finished behind two smart types in the Horris Hill at Newbury in October (the winner recently won the Greenham) and makes most appeal of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Fox Champion 2nd Almashriq 3rd Almufti

POWER OF DARKNESS remains lightly raced for a four-year-old and the son of Power won both of his starts in 2018. Marcus Tregoning has given his charge gelding and wind operations since his latest run in June and they might bring about further improvement. Beringer ran very well to finish third in the Lincoln last month and he is an obvious threat to the selection, although this trip may be on the sharp side for him on fast ground. Multiple slow starts cost Bedouin's Story at Meydan this winter but he is more than capable of making the frame in a race of this nature, while Sawwaah and Exhort also merit consideration.
Prediction : 1st Power of Darkness 2nd Beringer 3rd Bedouins Story

Elarqam didn't quite live up to expectations as a three-year-old but his best run in 2018 came on his seasonal return in the 2000 Guineas. The son of Frankel has had a wind operation over the winter and it would be no surprise to see Mark Johnton's colt run well. Jim Crowley has chosen him over Mustashry, who won two Group 2 events last September but he is vulnerable under a 5lb penalty. FOREST RANGER won this race 12 months ago and he should take plenty of beating once again. The five-year-old was beaten in a Group 3 over C&D in October, but he was carrying a penalty that day and has had the benefit of a run at Meydan last month. First Contact made the frame in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai a few weeks ago and he is another who should have a race-fitness edge.
Prediction : 1st Forest Ranger 2nd First Contact 3rd Elarqam

Cenotaph is better known for his exploits on artificial surfaces, but he is rated 105 and has the services of Ryan Moore on board once more. On The Warpath accounted for Mubtasim (second) when the pair were last seen in Meydan at the end of February, while Zap won a premier handicap at Leopardstown in September and warrants plenty of respect. However, it might be worth taking a chance on GAME PLAYER, who looked progressive for Roger Varian last season. The four-year-old is a course and distance winner and shouldn't be deterred by the prospect of fast ground under Andrea Atzeni off a mark of 91.
Prediction : 1st Game Player 2nd Mubtasim 3rd On The Warpath

Haddaf looked in need of the run when failing to beat a rival home on stable debut for Robert Cowell at Kempton last month and should do better here, while Open Wide has had a wind operation since last seen and performed well on fast ground last season when placing in some competitive heats at Ascot and Windsor. Ian Williams has a knack of improving the fortunes of new recruits, and perhaps fresh will be a good time to catch CONSEQUENCES. Formerly with David O'Meara, the four-year-old has been gelded over the winter and could take advantage of a mark of 83 sooner rather than later.
Prediction : 1st Consequences 2nd Haddaf 3rd Open Wide