Improving filly Besharah can stamp her class on Cheveley Park rivals
Even with the weather set fair for the next few days, I’m expecting the ground to ride no quicker than ‘good’ for tomorrow’s Cheveley Park Stakes (2.35pm).
It was good to firm at Newmarket in July when Illuminate held off BESHARAH to land the Cherry Hinton. But I’m expecting William Haggas’ filly to reverse that form on this slightly easier surface.
My selection has been a revelation since stepping up to six furlongs and encountering softer underfoot conditions. She had Lumiere, another of tomorrow’s main rivals, toiling in behind in last month’s Lowther Stakes at York.
Don’t get me wrong, she faces two very smart fillies tomorrow. Illuminate is unbeaten in three starts and Lumiere looked top class on her debut. But they’ve both been at their best on a quick surface. The likely conditions make me want to side with Besharah at 9/4 with Betway.
Tiggy Wiggy did the Lowther-Cheveley Park double last year and Besharah can repeat the feat.
There may only be a small field of six for the Royal Lodge Stakes (2.00pm), yet the presence of the unbeaten Aidan O’Brien-trained Deauville and John Gosden’s FOUNDATION make it a race to savour.
The former will surely come in for plenty of support, particularly with the returning Ryan Moore back in the saddle. Anyone who witnessed Foundation win at Haydock last time, however, will be reluctant to oppose him tomorrow.
He looked a bit special that day and can provide the ever-green Frankie Dettori with another big race win.
POINTERS
Foundation 2.00pm Newmarket (tomorrow)
Besharah 2.35pm Newmarket (tomorrow)