Classy Maureen can give Hannon another Cheveley Park
RICHARD Hannon won the Cheveley Park Stakes back in 2006 with the top class Indian Ink and he may have unearthed another star filly in the shape of MAUREEN. The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor won the Princess Margaret easily at Ascot last month and she was very unlucky behind Sendmylovetorose in the Cherry Hinton.
Rosdhu Queen is unbeaten in three starts for William Haggas and, although she won the Lowther at York, her task was made much easier by the tragic injury sustained by Newfangled. A bigger danger could be Ed McMahon’s progressive Winning Express, but I think Maureen could go very close in next year’s 1,000 Guineas and is a confident selection tomorrow.
No trainer has his string in better form than Sir Henry Cecil at the moment and he has two live chances in tomorrow’s Sun Chariot Stakes (3pm). Chachamaidee won her first Group One race in Ireland last time, but only thanks to a controversial decision by the stewards. She has always looked better over seven furlongs and the uphill climb to the line might find her out.
BEAUTY PARLOUR is a fascinating contender on her first start in Britain and for Cecil. She has won four of her five career starts and only just suffered a defeat last time when failing to stay the trip in the Prix De Diane. She had previously won the French 1,000 Guineas in imperious style and she should have too much for tomorrow’s rivals.
The Cambridgeshire (3.40pm) is the first leg of the Autumn Double and one of the hardest puzzles to solve all season. In recent years, three-year-olds have struggled, but Pipedreamer showed in 2007 that it is possible if you are Group class. Mukhadram is the current favourite and, although he is trained by one of the shrewdest brains in William Haggas, he is yet to even run in a handicap and I’m willing to give him a swerve.
Bronze Angel has sneaked into the race at the foot of the weights and he ran a stormer to finish third in the Britannia at Royal Ascot from an unfavourable draw. However, I just don’t think he has the potential of Hughie Morrison’s CHIL THE KITE, who is drawn in stall one and has the assistance of Richard Hughes.
My selection found the ground too quick when finishing fourth in a Listed race at Haydock last time, but that was a strong race and his draw on the far side should negate his tendency to hang right. He is worth backing at 8/1 with Coral.
Looking at today’s action, and MOST IMPROVED has to be supported in the Nayef Joel Stakes (2.20pm), the final leg of the QIPCO British Champions Series before Champions Day at Ascot in three weeks. The Lawman colt won the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and he can shrug off the penalty he has to carry in this.
It could be a good day for Brian Meehan as his newcomer MUJAZIF is worth backing each-way in the maiden at 3.25pm. The stable’s juveniles usually come on for their debut, but this fellow has reportedly been going very well at home and the yard have won this race twice in the past eight years.
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■ Pointers…
MOST IMPROVED 2.20pm Newmarket (today)
MUJAZIF e/w 3.25pm Newmarket (today)
MAUREEN 2.25pm Newmarket (tomorrow)
BEAUTY PARLOUR 3.00pm Newmarket (tomorrow)
CHIL THE KITE e/w 3.40pm Newmarket (tomorrow)