Saturday's G2 Dunaden At Overbury Jockey Club S. at Newmarket sees the return of the exciting Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling), who is sure to have his readiness tested lining up against the likes of the G1 Ladbrokes St Leger heroine Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}). Last seen finishing third in the G1 Qipco Champion S. at Ascot in October, Godolphin's colour-bearer was always considered to be a work in progress with this year in mind, despite his impressive Classic campaign including a clear-cut win in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. “I think it is amazing that you are getting an Irish Derby winner and St Leger winner meeting at this time of year, as you expect it in the Coronation Cup or King George,” trainer John Gosden said. “Our horse is in top form and I am happy with him, but like all of them the race will bring him on a lot. It looks a proper Jockey Club S., as sometimes it can cut up.”
Simple Verse, who followed her much-publicised defeat of Bondi Beach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Doncaster Classic with a victory in Ascot's G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S., is forced to race under a penalty, but connections have a game approach to the task. “She is in great form; it is a tough thing taking on a horse like Jack Hobbs with a filly this early in the season, but the options are few and far between,” David Redvers, racing manager to owners Qatar Racing, explained. “Obviously as we sponsor at Newmarket, the owners are keen to come here. Ralph Beckett's horses are generally in good form and from what I hear she is working very well. We have to find out somewhere how they match up.”
One who could upset the big names is Mohamed Obaida's progressive Star Storm (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), winner of the G3 Cumberland Lodge S. on his first try at black-type company over this trip at Ascot in October. That form has a solid look to it, and trainer James Fanshawe is expecting him to come forward again this term. “He was very babyish about a lot of things and was just very immature, [but] really got his act together in the autumn, winning his maiden in September before winning a group race in October,” he said. “He appears physically tighter and much fitter than this time last year. He looks really well, but he does not show you a great deal at home. The plan has been to start him off in the Jockey Club S., whether Jack Hobbs turned up there or not. I am sure his owner will have some ambitious plans for him.” Bruce Raymond, the owner's racing manager, added, “We've got to start him off somewhere. I saw him on Thursday morning and he looks tremendous. James is very happy with him. He's in at the deep end for his first start and he needed his first start badly last year, but in general he's going much better than he did this time last year.”
Michael Bell is hoping for no more rain for the Gredleys' Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), who beat last year's winner of this race, Second Step (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), in the 12-furlong G2 Princess of Wales's S. at the July meeting here and also the two-mile G2 Goodwood Cup. Runner-up in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup over the latter trip at Meydan Mar. 26, he may yet miss the engagement. “He'll run if the rain stays away, but we are doing a weather watch,” Bell said. “The horse has come back from Dubai in very good form, but we're keeping an eye on the weather.”
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