Ryan Moore: My thoughts on day one at Newmarket

Havana Gold should take all the beating today says Ryan Moore

The Cambridgeshire Festival meeting at Newmarket commences today and Betfair Ambassador Ryan Moore has given us his exclusive thoughts on the day one card...

14:00 Newmarket

Telescope is one of our better 2yos and he clearly ran a very encouraging first race when just touched off by Snow King over 7f at Ascot first time out. I wouldn't go overboard about the bare form of that maiden - although the third horse home did win well at Newbury last week - but I think you can reasonably expect him to come on a good deal from his debut. The step up to 1m will suit this Galileo colt, who still holds a Racing Post Trophy entry. Doncaster third Space Ship looks to be the one to beat of the other raced horses, but there are well-bred newcomers in here from top stables and you clearly have to respect them, too. But Telescope looks a decent prospect.

14:35 Newmarket

This looks a typically competitive nursery. I thought Red Avenger, who I rode on his debut, would just about win at Doncaster last time. But he got touched off and races off a 3lb higher mark in a more competitive handicap, so life is tougher for him here. I have also ridden Millers Wharf, and I must say that he would look a very well handicapped horse off 77 if he returned to the form of 3 length fourth (last of four admittedly) to Havana Gold for me at Ascot in July, or maybe his debut effort as well. His more recent efforts are not as good though. But there are nine last time out winners in here, so any number of unexposed dangers, so best of luck.

15:10 Newmarket

After steering her to an easy handicap win at Newmarket, I thought Sequence would go very close at York last time when stepped up to listed company. But I was worried about Dermot Weld's lightly-raced and totally unexposed Pale Mimosa going into that race - and was proved right to be concerned, as the Irish horse won well. But Sequence ran well all the same and she clearly has each way claims here. Jehannedarc is one of the horses to beat on her Goodwood second to Wild Coco over 1m6f last time and has winning form over 1m4f, too. But Gallipot, fourth to the same Cecil horse in the Park Hill at Doncaster last time, probably boasts the best form in here and is another major player.

15:40 Newmarket

Havana Gold looks the obvious one here in this Group 3. He would be four from four were it not for a slipped saddle getting rid of me at Deauville, and he beat a promising horse a shade comfortably at Haydock last time. He is a classy, professional, 2yo who is up to winning at this level and the step back to 7f shouldn't be an issue at all. He faces some solid, experienced horses in here, notably Well Acquainted, but possibly the one to give him most trouble may be Ebn Arab. I gather more was expected of him when he was only fourth at York last time, but that was an above-average Acomb and there is more to come from him. Glean didn't run at all badly in a three runner race at Salisbury last time and he can't be written off either.

16:15 Newmarket

I think the Godolphin pair of Cavalryman and Lost In the Moment are the two to concentrate on here. Cavalryman was slightly disappointing in the Lonsdale last time but is far better than a listed performer at his best, as he showed when winning in this grade by 4 lengths at Sandown in July. But he does have to shoulder a 3lb penalty. His stablemate Lost In The Moment finished nearly four lengths ahead of him at York and is 3lb better off, so he has clear chances. The rest look to have a few pounds to find if that pair run up to their best, but Chiberta King looks likeliest of the remainder if they don't.

16:50 Newmarket

Having looked at this race, I don't have a strong opinion. But Crown Counsel looks the most solid after his recent Newmarket fourth, though. Looking at his form, I don't think he would want much rain though.

17:25 Newmarket

Things didn't fall right for Ladyship over 7f at York last time, and it would be unwise to judge her on that run. Previously, I really liked the way she quickened up for me over 6f at Ascot last and battled, and I think there is improvement in her. Certainly her dam Peeress improved with age, winning a Lockinge at 5yo, and I think she can very prove competitive here off 92. Hezmah and Swan Song look the two to be worried about.

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