RACING:JOHN OXX will attempt to stretch his red-hot winning streak to Group One level at Newmarket this Saturday when the Aga Khan's Alanza lines up for the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.
Alanza was supplemented into the mile event yesterday and will join Dermot Weld’s Matron Stakes winner Emulous, and possibly Aidan O’Brien’s Matron runner-up Together in a formidable Irish challenge.
Alanza contributed to Oxx’s current run of good form when landing the Group Three Sceptre Stakes over seven furlongs at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting, but is also a winner at a mile this season.
The big threat to the strong Irish team, however, could be from the French-trained stalwart Saphresa who has been installed a 5 to 2 favourite with Paddy Power to make in three-in-a-row in the Sun Chariot.
Newmarket will also host the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes this Saturday and Aidan O’Brien has five of the 14 horses left in it as he pursues a fifth win in the race that used be run at Ascot. His team comprises Astrology, Daddy Long Legs, Furner’s Green, Tenth Star and Wrote.
Richard Hannon can choose from Champagne Stakes victor Trumpet Major and Rockinante while John Gosden relies on Fencing.
SUN CHARIOT BETTING: (Paddy Power): 5-2 Saphresa, 7-2 Emulous, 5 Alanza, 8 Timepiece, 10 Together and Nahrain, 14 Bar.
