Guineas contender Expert Eye to face seven rivals in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury
Newbury plays host to two key Classic trials on Saturday and Expert Eye is the star name in a field of eight for the Greenham Stakes, whilst Roger Charlton's Gavota is part of an 11-runner field for the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.
SIR MICHAEL STOUTE'S Expert Eye will face seven rivals in Saturday's Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
The son of Acclamation made a successful debut at the Berkshire track last season and looked a star in the making when he demolished a decent field in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
However, he trailed home last on his first attempt in Group 1 company in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and therefore begins his three-year-old campaign with plenty to prove ahead of a potential run in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, for which he is a best-priced 10-1.
Among the seven to line up against him at Newbury are George Scott's Mill Reef winner James Garfield, James Tate's Hey Gaman, who won the Listed Denford Stakes over this course and distance last summer, and Harry Dunlop Group 2 winner Fighting Irish.
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The David O'Meara-trained Cold Stare, Clive Cox's Connect and David Simcock's Raid complete the line-up.
Newbury also hosts some fillies looking to stake their claims for the 1000 Guineas in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes - better known as the Fred Darling.
Roger Charlton's Gavota, who has useful placed form towards the end of her juvenile campaign, is the highest-rated runner in the 11-strong field.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Newmarket - Dragons Tail: 'His trainer is in great form so fitness shouldn’t be a problem'
2.25 Newmarket - Suyra: 'Beautifully bred, his dad is Frankel and his mum Sariska won the Oaks'
2.40 Cheltenham - Aunty Ann: 'She has clearly been waiting for the sun to shine and now she can make hay'
3.00 Newmarket - Magical Memory: 'Won this race two years ago and he’s got a great record in Group 3 races'
3.35 Newmarket - Roaring Lion: 'Moved like a top-class horse when narrowly denied in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy'
Richard Hannon's Tajaanus and Ed Vaughan's Hikmaa, who was a non-runner in another Guineas trial at Newmarket on Wednesday, are among the other contenders.
The Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes - registered as the John Porter - is also on the Newbury card and has attracted just the six runners.
Roger Varian's Defoe, who went off a 6-1 shot for last season's St Leger, and William Haggas' Call To Mind, owned by the Queen, are two of the more intriguing contenders.