Jordan Yates' Middle Park Verdict. (Newmarket) (28/09/2018)

The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 affair on Cambridgeshire Day at Newmarket that's contested over a distance of six furlongs and this year's renewal see's the very exciting and unbeaten Ten Sovereigns heading affairs for Aidan O'Brien, and can be found trading as short as 4/6 in the betting currently. The talented Ballydoyle charge is also currently second favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas and will be expected to put on a bold showing here too solidify his position in the market. Donnacha O'Brien takes the ride with Ryan Moore choosing to ride in the US. Aidan O'Brien is also represented here by Sergei Prokofiev who was last seen when bitterly disappointing in the Phoenix Stakes the last day. Before that however he showed very smart form when finishing third in the Coventry and won back to back starts including once in Listed company. He'll need to return to his best and maybe a bit more if he is to feature here and he has the services of Seamie Heffernan on board.

Another exciting prospect who takes his place in the line up here is none other than Jash for Simon Crisford. He was last seen when destroying a field with minimal fuss at long odds on at Salisbury. He also won here at Newmarket on debut on the July course and is certainly one who could play a part with Jim Crowley on board. He's a best priced of around 4/1 in the market. Recently purchased by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, Emaraaty Ana comes here off the back of a fine victory in the Group 2 Gimcrack up at York, he'll need to step up again here if he is to play a part and he's a general 10/1 chance to do just that. Just half a length behind Emaraaty Ana the last day at York was Legends Of War for John Gosden and these pair re oppose again here with the latter since going on to finish in fourth in the Flying Childers at Doncaster. You can find Legends Of War trading at around a general 20/1 mark with Oisin Murphy on board. Rumble Inthejungle looked mightily impressive when winning in Group 3 company at Goodwood in August however was very disappointing the last day when going off favourite at Doncaster for the Flying Childers. The ground was however an issue that day and a return to a quick surface may well suit but will he'll still need to take a sizeable step up.

VERDICT:

A very decent renewal of this and I think Ten Sovereigns will win as I believe he's a machine and solidify his Guineas hopes, however he's odds on and i'd rather looks for some value. Jash could literally be anything on the back of his smart two victories this term, but his price doesn't represent any real form of each way value. I'm not too sure what to make of Sergei Prokofiev as the last day he was very poor however the yard was under a bug and its tough to know how if he'll bounce back in this. So for me, the most solid each way pick here looks to come in the form of the Gimcrack winner EMARAATY ANA for Kevin Ryan. He looks to be still improving and there's no saying where his potential could go and at 10/1 I think he's a decent enough each way pick.