Nostrum can come good at last

Nostrum can start making up for lost time this season by claiming the Listed-class Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes at Newbury on Friday.

Sir Michael Stoute's charge has never quite lived up to the expectations placed on him after finishing third to Chaldean in the 2022 Dewhurst.

He did score impressively at this level at Newmarket last July following a 278-day break but was then beaten at odds-on in his next two starts.

This year began with another setback when he was last of six at Sandown after disputing favouritism with Charyn.

However, having then been gelded, a close second to Noble Dynasty at Newmarket was much more promising, and reports of his recent work at home have been very encouraging.

An 83-day gap between runs is nothing to worry about on past evidence and Stoute's horses have generally been in fine spirits of late, so the stage is set for Nostrum to show his class against some solid, but unspectacular opposition.

I Maximus is a half-brother to a couple of Listed winners in France and has shown enough in two starts so far to suggest he can oblige in division two of the Nick Robinson Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes.

Following a solid Newbury third on debut, he was an odds-on favourite at Kempton but may have come up against a smart sort when second to Dash Dizzy.

Cathedral cost Amo Racing E800,000 but that could prove a shrewd investment judged on her impressive success at Lingfield first time out.

Having been backed as if defeat was out of the question, she overcame some early greenness to power over four lengths clear of main market rival Warm Summer down the home straight and looks an exciting prospect ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes.

The Haynes, Hanson & Clark Novice Stakes has an impressive roll of honour, with previous winners including the likes of Shergar, Henbit, Unfuwain, King's Theatre and Nayef.

Recent renewals have not been quite so hot, but King Of Cities was visually impressive when scoring comfortably at Chester following an encouraging debut third at Newmarket.

Coto De Caza looked a smart prospect for Simon and Ed Crisford when scoring twice in July and she can return from a little break to complete a hat-trick in the British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes at Ayr.

The daughter of Sioux Nation bolted up by 5-lengths at Beverley and then showed plenty of speed to prevail again at Goodwood.

Rage Of Bamby may not have quite had the race run to suit her at Pontefract last time out and is worth sticking with in the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes.

Eve Johnson Houghton's four-year-old had previously looked on the upgrade when winning nicely at York.

Aviation Time is worth another chance in the Juddmonte British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at Kempton after getting no sort of a run at Windsor on Monday.

The Richard Hughes-trained filly had some solid form in the book before that and was not knocked about once her chance had gone earlier this week. - Press Association

AB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 14.25 Shameful, Race 2: 14.55 I Maximus, Race 3: 15.25 Cathedral, Race 4: 15.55 Green Icon, Race 5: 16.30 King Of Cities, Race 6: 17.05 NOSTRUM (NAP), Race 7: 17.40 Typical Woman, Race 8: 18.15 More Thunder.

AYR: Race 1: 15.03 Larchill Lass, Race 2: 15.33 Bonnie's Boy, Race 3: 16.05 Coto De Caza, Race 4: 16.40 Rage Of Bamby, Race 5: 17.15 The Ridler, Race 6: 17.45 Jewel Maker, Race 7: 18.20 L'Eagle Aid.

NEWTON ABBOT: Race 1: 15.10 Tribal Glory, Race 2: 15.40 Pure Gold, Race 3: 16.15 Secret Trix, Race 4: 16.50 Therapist, Race 5: 17.25 Addosh, Race 6: 17.55 Finisk River, Race 7: 18.30 Honey I'm Good.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 17.00 Fifth Column, Race 2: 17.35 Aviation Time, Race 3: 18.10 Izipizi, Race 4: 18.45 Havana Touch, Race 5: 19.15 Calanthe, Race 6: 19.45 Cognisance, Race 7: 20.15 Profitman, Race 8: 20.45 Orbital, Race 9: 21.15 Fravanco.

ALL TO COME: Cathedral and Nostrum (Newbury, Races 3 and 6).