Joel Stakes (Friday 26th September, Newmarket, 3:15) Preview

Captain Cat is the current 9/2 favourite with Stan James and william hill to nab Friday`s (26th September) Joel Stakes in a high quality renewal.

Roger Charlton`s gelding is eyeing up his first Group 2 win after the 5-year-old was unable to justify favouritism in Goodwood`s Doom Bar Celebration Mile back in August. Charlton will be hoping that the two-time Group 3 winner can build upon his Haydock triumph last time out. Superior Mile opponents Ocean Tempest and Penitent line up against him tomorrow at 16/1 (paddy Power) and 33/1 (Numerous) respectively, with David O`Meara`s Penitent looking to regain his Joel Stakes title from two years previous.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wiltshire-based Charlton told of his confidence ahead of Friday`s feature. `Captain Cat has been very well since his latest Haydock win and is in good form.` The one-time Derby victor told the broadcaster. `He is a course and distance winner at Newmarket, so he has proven he likes the track, and the ground should not be an issue for him.`

Andrew Balding`s Lockinge-placed Tullius will attempt to improve on his fourth position in the Queen Anne last time out at Royal Ascot. A patient ride from Jimmy Fortune left the gelding with every chance of securing a place though found himself unable to close the gap on eventual third Anodin in the final furlong. The 6-year-old`s triumph in the bet365 Mile in April saw the horse capture his first win for a year and a half and the Park House Stables team will be buoyed by both the strong showing at Royal Ascot and the Newbury Lockinge second behind QEII winner Olympic Glory. With a preference for soft ground, Tullius will aim to snatch his first victory on good since claiming a Sandown handicap way back in 2011. Fortune`s mount can be backed at 5/1 with both Betvictor and william hill.

Meanwhile, John Godsden`s Wannabe Yours, one of seven three year olds in the race, hopes to make it four on the bounce after the colt`s success in Glorious Goodwood`s Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes. Wannabe Yours and his rider William Buick claimed a neck victory over Hors De Combat, James Fanshawe`s 8/1 (william hill) shot for tomorrow`s feature race, despite Buick having to accommodate losing his whip in the closing stages. The accident followed a tumultuous race for the partnership as they negotiated having to switch from the inside running rail after failing to find an opening. A smoother passage over tomorrow`s eight furlongs suggests this form will be well and truly franked with 11/2 at William Hill a generous price for the win. Buick stays with Godsden`s colt whilst Ryan Moore tries his luck on Hors De Combat replacing Freddie Tylicki. The Godolphin team are represented by Charlie Appleby`s Outstrip. The colt recovering from finishing dead last in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas to place in Ascot`s Group 1 St. James`s Palace Stakes behind Classic adversaries Night of Thunder and the newly retired Kingman.

Whilst Outstrip is looking for his first win of the season, trainer Appleby sounded hopeful that the horse that relegated The Grey Gatsby to second in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes as a 2 year old could pull off another upset. `He`s in great nick. We`ve purposely given him a break since Goodwood [Sussex Stakes] and it`s going to be good around their at Newmarket,` The Moulton Paddocks man said. `So we`re confident of a big performance and then we`ll look forward to potentially going for the QEII or back out to America for another Breeders Cup.`

Adam Kirby has been booked to partner tomorrow`s 8/1 (Betvictor, William Hill) chance as the Maktoum family stable look to capture their 167th Group 2 since their international operation began in 1994.

Fourteen line up in total as they all look to emulate last year`s winner Soft Falling Rain.

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25/09/2014     © Frixo 2026