Irish Raiders at Newmarket: Aidan O’Brien double-handed in Royal Lodge There’s just one Irish runner set to feature at Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting on Friday before a host of Irish raiders come over for the likes of the Group 1 Middle Park and Cheveley Park Stakes on Saturday afternoon. We outline the chances of the key Irish runners across Friday and Saturday at Newmarket. Friday - Newmarket 13:15 - Mojave River The only Irish representative at Newmarket on Friday’s card is Mojave’s River in the opener (13:15) on day two of the meeting on the Rowley Mile. This filly ran too bad to be true in a Listed event at Gowran last month and is better judged on her previous run at Cork when coming out on top in a four-runner field. Whether it was the first-time cheekpieces or the step up in trip to blame for her struggles last time out is open to debate, but she’s now dropping back to her best distance and she’s also without any headgear for the first time this season. Black Type will be the main aim for Joseph O’Brien’s filly and there’s every chance that this forward going runner will be able to get to the lead with a handy high draw in stall 10. While the stalls are positioned in the centre on Friday, expect them to make a beeline for the near rail which can be an advantage on the Rowley Mile. Saturday - Newmarket 13:50 - Action and Daytona Aidan O’Brien is double-handed in his bid to land a record equalling eighth renewal of the Royal Lodge. Action and Daytona are the two representatives with jockey Wayne Lordan opting for all-the-way Galway Festival winner Action. However, Daytona could be overpriced having already won at Listed level and the drop to seven furlongs was probably against him in France subsequently. Saturday Newmarket 2.25 - Beautify, True Love and Havana Anna The trio of Irish runners in the Cheveley Park Stakes is headlined by True Love. She ought to get a nice tow into the race from regular front runner Fitzella, who is drawn next door, and a high draw is often an advantage over this course and distance. Stablemate Beautify wasn’t seen to best effect when nabbed close to home in the Moyglare last time out, travelling best entering the final furlong before finding less than looked likely. A drop back to a stiff six furlongs could be ideal on that evidence. The form of Havana Anna’s second in France last time has been knocked and she’s probably up against it stepping up in class. Saturday Newmarket 3.00 - Brussels, First Approach, Kansas and The Publican’s Son Brussels has been expensive to follow since his maiden success but it’s interesting that he’s the pick of Wayne Lordan, who presumably had the choice of the Ballydoyle trio. Stablemate Kansas is arguably more interesting with Tom Marquand on board. He couldn’t reel in a highly effective front-runner in the Flying Childers but he’s shaped like a return to six furlongs could see him in a better light on more than one occasion this season. First Approach hasn’t shown enough in eight starts so far to suggest he can compete at Group 1 level. The Publican’s Son has the best chance of the Irish quartet after his highly promising debut in Group company, and the yard’s runners often come on markedly from their initial outings. Weekend Special - Bet €100 Get €100 with Midnite
