Dewhurst Stakes Runner-by-Runner Guide And Tips Nine colts are set to go to post for Saturday’s feature at Newmarket, the Darley Dewhurst Stakes, and it looks set to be an absolute belter. Below is a runner-by-runner guide. 1 Alparslan This boy could be the dark horse in the race. He is an unknown quantity and has done nothing wrong to date, winning a Leicester novice by five lengths on debut before landing a valuable sales race at the Curragh. Karl Burke is also operating at a fantastic 28 percent strike-rate with his juveniles. 2 Distant Storm Charlie Appleby's colt won the Tattersalls Stakes by almost five lengths when last seen and it's no surprise to see him at the head of the market. The yard has won this race three times in the last six years and this is another who could be going right to the top. 3 Gewan Andrew Balding's colt won his first two outings, including landing the Acomb Stakes when beating the reopposing Italy and Distant Storm, but he needs to bounce back from a tame fourth in the Champagne Stakes. He should appreciate faster ground. 4 Gstaad Aidan O’Brien has won five of the last 10 Dewhursts and if he wins this, he will be the record holder with nine victories in total. Although beaten in his last two outings, Gstaad was denied only a head by the reopposing Zavateri in the National Stakes at The Curragh last time out and he looks the type who will continue to improve. 5 Italy A nice winner on debut back in May, Italy was just over a length behind Saba Desert in the Superlative Stakes on his next start. That was followed up with a runner-up finish in the Acomb and a third in the National Stakes. He will need to improve to feature. 6 Oxagon Oxagon finished behind Distant Storm on debut but left that run well behind when dotting up to win by eight lengths on his second outing. He was a warm order for the Champagne Stakes when last seen finishing second to Puerto Rico and that form looks strong now. 7 Pacific Avenue The outsider for Appleby but still merits some respect nonetheless. He looked a sure winner of the Solario Stakes only to cave in with the post looming and somehow finished fourth. He wasn't at his best last time either and will need to improve down in trip. 8 Saba Desert Another for the Godolphin and Appleby team. He was a nice winner of the Superlative Stakes when seeing off Italy but he was beaten out of sight in the National Stakes at the Curragh on latest. Cheekpieces are now reached for. 9 Zavateri Has certainly provided his owners with great value after their 35,000gns purchase, winning all four starts to date, beating Gstaad in the National Stakes to take Group 1 glory when last seen. He will be a tough nut to crack again. Verdict Charlie Appleby has a strong hand in this year's Dewhurst and Distant Storm can find the required improvement to strike again in the hands of William Buick. The tough Gstaad can follow him home.
