Silver Knott Stands Out At Newmarket

By Josh Luckhurst, PA

Silver Knott aims to add another Pattern triumph to his collection when he heads the Betfred Jockey Club Stakes field at Newmarket.

The Charlie Appleby-trained bay has not been seen on British soil since his bid for 2000 Guineas glory in 2023, but although he did not succeed on that occasion, the five-year-old has since claimed multiple Group Two victories in the United States and Dubai.

His last appearance saw him secure the Dubai City of Gold by two lengths and he looks the pick of the four-runner entry list on the Rowley Mile.

As a son of Lope De Vega out of Nathaniel mare God Given, who won the Park Hill at Doncaster and a 10-furlong Group One in Italy, Silver Knott should have the stamina and speed to take home the seventh Group-class success of his career.

Cosmic Year will put his unbeaten record on the line in the Listed Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes.

The three-year-old caught the attention with an impressive six-and-a-half-length success on his debut last September and he backed that up on his return earlier this month on the all-weather at Kempton.

The Kingman colt eased to a five-length victory to justify his odds-on favourite tag and although he now faces some far more high-profile opponents, everything suggests Cosmic Year has the scope to cope.

Another horse putting his unbeaten tag at risk is Charlie Appleby's Alpine Trail, who runs in the Listed TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes.

The son of Dubawi did not run as a juvenile but made his mark with a win by three lengths on debut at Wolverhampton in February, before translating that form on the turf.

He extended his advantage to three and three-quarter lengths at Yarmouth in April and clearly deserves a step up in grade for this 10-furlong contest.

The Moulton Paddocks handler could also be amongst the winners at Goodwood, where Secret Theory attempts to make it three from three in the British Stallion Studs John Dunlop EBF Conditions Stakes.

Another son of Dubawi with a prized pedigree, it is telling that immediately after shedding his maiden status on debut last autumn, Appleby said he would be put away for the winter with bigger days lying ahead.

He comfortably accounted for a useful cast at Nottingham on his return and now dips his toe into slightly deeper waters as connections begin to ask a few more questions.

A chance could also be worth taking on Sea Just In Time in the British Stallion Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Fillies' Stakes.

The daughter of Sea The Stars hinted at being top class when making a winning debut at this time last year, but would somewhat fail to deliver on that promise as the season went on.

She would, though, add a further victory when tried over this 12-furlong distance at Kempton in the summer and this trip could ultimately prove her optimum as she starts life for new handler David O'Meara.

At Punchestown, Constitution Hill should bounce back to form following his falls at Prestbury Park and Aintree and can return to the winner's enclosure with success in the Boodles Champion Hurdle.

Final Demand, who finished third behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay at Cheltenham, is bidding to maintain his perfect record on home soil in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle for Willie Mullins.

Dinoblue, another Mullins contender, aims to complete a hat-trick of triumphs in the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 14.10 Zgharta, Race 2: 14.45 Alpine Trail, Race 3: 15.20 Cosmic Year,
Race 4: 15.55 Spectacular View, Race 5: 16.30 Fifty Nifty, Race 6: 17.05 SILVER KNOTT (NAP),
Race 7: 17.45 Circe.

GOODWOOD: Race 1: 14.25 Son Of Sarabi, Race 2: 15.00 Secret Theory, Race 3: 15.35 Rhythm
N Hooves, Race 4: 16.10 Sea Just In Time, Race 5: 16.45 Waleefy, Race 6: 17.25 Vilaine Verlaine,
Race 7: 18.00 One Cool Dreamer.

MUSSELBURGH: Race 1: 14.35 Moretons, Race 2: 15.10 Curious Rover, Race 3: 15.45 Pigeon
House, Race 4: 16.20 Keep Me Stable, Race 5: 16.55 Capital Guarantee, Race 6: 17.30 Two B
Tanned, Race 7: 18.05 Azuinthejungle.

CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 17.35 Barton Snow, Race 2: 18.10 Mumbo Jumbo, Race 3: 18.45
Alaphilippe, Race 4: 19.20 Gracchus De Balme, Race 5: 19.55 All Loved Up, Race 6: 20.30 Didero
Vallis, Race 7: 21.05 Jet Plane.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 18.37 Captain Potter, Race 2: 19.13 Polygram, Race 3: 19.48 National Park,
Race 4: 20.20 Savvy Kingdom, Race 5: 20.55 Leadman, Race 6: 21.30 Pop Favorite, Race 7: 22.00
Blackcurrent.

ALL TO COME: Cosmic Year and Silver Knott (Newmarket, Races 3 and 6).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za