Local trainers in the running at Newbury

It’s day two of Newbury Racecourse’s Dubai Duty Free International meeting and today’s seven-race card hosts the Group Three World Trophy Stakes, the Autumn Cup and the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes, in addition to five further competitive races.

Read on for a full preview of the Newbury card, courtesy of Sporting Life.

First on the card is the Group Three World Trophy Stakes, a five-furlong sprint (1.30). Willie Haggas’ Montassib, reappearing after a long spell on the sidelines, should have a very strong chance here, down in class from Group One company on his last pair of outings back in 2024.

Local trainer Jack Channon’s runner, Queen All Star, should be capable of making the placings after a very productive season, and she has demonstrated previously that she can handle a bit of cut in the ground.

Next is the Autumn Cup, a handicap race run over a mile and three quarters (2.05).

Ian Williams’ Beylerbeyi ought to be capable of getting involved at the sharp end with Jamie Spencer in the saddle, while Andrew Balding’s Lieber Power looks interesting with William Buick taking the reins.

Nachtgeist is a rare Flat runner for National Hunt trainer Olly Murphy, and just might outrun his lengthy odds.

Race three is a mile and a quarter handicap (2.40).

John and Thady Gosden’s Theory Of Tides might be worth some attention after a good reappearance at York.

He could be expected to take a step forward and has been shown to act on similar ground before.

Neighbouring Newmarket trainer Harry Eustace’s horse Mustazeed is an inconsistent but capable sort who likes this track and could run for a place, especially if the ground becomes softer.

The Group Two Mill Reef Stakes is next, a two-year-olds’ race over six furlongs (3.15).

Jim Boyle’s Into The Sky is the runner with the least experience, but his sole run at this track in August, where he won by over seven lengths, was so impressive that he should have a chance here.

Hugo Palmer’s Watcha Snoop might quietly be in for a big run too, after a smart win at Ascot on soft ground earlier in the month.

A seven-furlong juveniles’ novice follows (3.50).

Just five of the 13 runners have raced before, so there are lots of unknowns here.

Owen Burrows’ Sticktoyourguns won on debut at Sandown and looks likely to repeat that form, while the smartly-bred Food For Thought, trained by Ralph Beckett for the King and Queen, is likely to attract plenty of attention for her first start here today.

The penultimate race is a seven-furlong handicap (4.25).

Clive Cox’s Star Anthem has been steadily sliding down the handicap this term and, the sort to act on today’s ground, he might have finally reached a winnable mark.

He is worth thinking about for the win, while Jamie Osborne’s Tarkhan should be capable of a big run, despite carrying top weight, having gone close two starts ago at Sandown.

Finally, racing concludes with a three-year-olds’ mile handicap (5.00).

The James Horton-trained Beltadaay might have an each-way chance here after two good runs at Ascot and Pontefract, but he’s still six pounds off his latest winning mark.

Sky Advocate might like the ground conditions here and could deliver a surprise under Danny Tudhope.