Luca Cumani has had a disappointing year by his standards but the Newmarket trainer has his string firing on all cylinders now and Afsare is fancied to provide him with a first group-race win of the season in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes (3.00) at Newmarket today.
Unraced as a juvenile, Afsare made rapid strides last term, winning three of his four starts but not seen again after winning in listed company at Royal Ascot in June.
He duly needed the run on his reappearance at Sandown Park in April and was then unsuited by softer ground at the same track the following month. Afsare showed much more like his true form when dead-heating for second behind Jukebox Jury over this course and distance last time, despite being unsuited by a slow early pace, and granted a proper test he looks sure to go close.
Redwood rates the main threat. Runner-up in this race 12 months ago, he has been well travelled since, winning at the highest level in Canada before finding one too good in Hong Kong and Dubai. His second to Rewilding in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March was a fine effort and, if fully wound up after a three-month break, he will be a tough nut to crack.
The big betting race of the day is the sportingbet.com Handicap (2.25), with Malthouse taken to spring a surprise. A typically progressive and durable performer from the Mark Johnston yard, he put up his best effort yet when chasing home Dominant in a valuable sales race over this course and distance last time . A repeat of that effort will see him go close and he looks value at the 20-1 offered by William Hill.
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The main danger is the highly regarded Mijhaar. A stablemate of Dominant, he looked a good prospect when winning a maiden at Haydock Park and was far from disgraced when fourth to Nathaniel in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Johnston may also be on the mark through Bannock in the TNT July Stakes (1.50). He has not enjoyed the rub of the green on his past two starts, having nowhere to go for much of the race when a fast-finishing second to Pyman’s Theory at Sandown Park and then hampered early on when sixth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. This step up to six furlongs should suit.
Masked Marvel and Solar Sky are the pair to concentrate on in the Bahrain Trophy (1.20), with preference for the former. He impressed when beating Namibian by three lengths at Goodwood before having his limitations exposed when beaten around eight lengths behind Pour Moi in the Derby. Back at a more suitable level, he can regain the winning thread.
Burwaaz will be a warm order for the Earl of Euston EBF Conditions Stakes (3.35), but may not be able to cope with Citizen’s Charter. The latter gained valuable experience when beating 15 rivals at Newcastle and, with Mickäel Barzalona taking over in the saddle, can find the necessary improvement.
Fury can open his account for the year in the Portland Place Properties Conditions Stakes (4.05). Fifth behind the brilliant Frankel in the 2,000 Guineas, he was collared in the final stride by Tazahum at Sandown Park last time and can go one better.