Jordan Yates' Dewhurst Stakes Preview. (13/10/2018)

The Dewhurst takes centre stage this Saturday over at Newmarket a Group 1 contest that’s ridden over a distance of seven furlongs and it’s often a contest where the stars of tomorrow do battle to cement themselves as key players for next season. This year’s renewal really has thrown up a top drawer contest though with the front four in the betting already establishing themselves as very smart performers. At the top of the market comes the John Gosden trained Too Darn Hot (10/11) who’s won all of his three starts so far this term and done so in taking style. His last two starts most notably came in Group 3 and Group 2 company and either time he dismantled the respective fields with minimal fuss. He’s once again reunited with Frankie here and another bold showing would certainly be no surprise. Next up in the betting is Anthony Van Dyck (4/1) for Aidan O’Brien who’s also got three wins to his name this season however out of five attempts. He was last seen when being denied by the very smart Quorto in Group 1 company at the Curragh and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back here. Donnacha takes the ride.

The highly touted Sir Michael Stoute representative is next up in the betting and that’s of course none other than Sangarius (5/1). I was at Doncaster the last day when he won in taking style in Listed company, there’s likely a lot more to come from this potentially very smart sort and we could well see a big showing here. William Buick takes the ride on him. Advertise (10/1) takes his place here for Martyn Meade and Phoenix Thoroughbred and he’s had a fine season to say the least and the only horse in the field to have a Group 1 success to his name. That win came the last day in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh where he built on a previous victory here on the July course in a Group 2 affair. Oisin Murphy will be looking to add another Group 1 to his ever growing tally as he takes the ride here.

Aidan O’Brien is also represented here by Mohawk (25/1) and Christmas (33/1) who are both solid performers, in particular the former of the two who was last seen when winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge here last month. Kuwait Currency (66/1) makes up the field for Richard Hannon who will need to come on massively if he is to feature.

VERDICT:

As stated an absolutely outstanding renewal of the Dewhurst here and I thoroughly hope it lives up to expectations. Anthony Van Dyck ran well in Group 1 company last time and is an obvious player if stepping up again here. The only horse to win a Group 1 in this is Advertise who could well be overpriced at 10/1 whereas we don’t know the limitations to Sangarius potential as he could well be anything. However I do think it will be another victory here for TOO DARN HOT. He looks to be a serious animal for the all conquering duo of Gosden and Dettori and I’d certainly be surprised should we not see another big performance.