Four horses to look out for at Newmarket on Friday

Another Godolphin speedball?

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin enjoyed a big sprint double at Royal Ascot this year when Blue Point won the King’s Stand Stakes (for the second year running) and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in the space of four days. He was quickly retired to stud afterwards, leaving a void in the sprint division for the boys in blue, but Lazuli seemingly has all the attributes to make up into a high-class replacement. A winner of both of his starts, the well-bred son of Dubawi has made a good impression, easily landing the odds on debut at Yarmouth, and winning with much more in hand than the nose margin suggests at Doncaster last time. Lazuli looked a very smart prospect for 95 per cent of the race, shooting past the eventual second in striking fashion at the furlong pole, but idling badly once in front. The drop to five furlongs in the Cornwallis Stakes could suit at this stage of his career, and there is no doubt he has the class to cut it in pattern company.

What a start to the St Leger meeting! It looked all over for @godolphin’s Lazuli, but he’s made to work by Ryan Moore and Misty Grey to win the opener at @DoncasterRaces under William Buick for Charlie Appleby… pic.twitter.com/RLnZVxS1k6

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 11, 2019

Wejdan much better than she could show at York!

The fact William Haggas had the confidence to run Wejdan in the Lowther Stakes at York (a race he likes to throw a good one at) only 16 days after she made a winning debut at Newbury suggests he holds her in high regard. A look back at that Newbury win also tells you she has plenty of ability. She was easy to back beforehand, but came from a long way off the pace to nail one who'd shown up well on debut, ultimately winning with a fair bit more in hand than the half-length margin suggests. She was relatively strong in the market for the Lowther on the back of that performance and, though she could only finish fifth, she left the impression she was just not sharp enough for a fast six furlongs, staying on gradually on the stands’ rail in the final furlong. The step up to seven furlongs in the Oh So Sharp Stakes now will be right up her street and a much better performance is expected.

Nice type - Wejdan (Dabirsim) holds an entry in the Lowther and does the business on debut for the @the_doyler and William Haggas at @NewburyRacing.

The yard won this with future Listed scorer Magnetic Charm last year... pic.twitter.com/qy52z9xsiI

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 6, 2019

Will Limato’s love affair with Newmarket continue?

Limato’s greatest day of his career – so far – came when running out a most impressive winner of the July Cup in 2016 and, though he seemingly isn’t the force of old anymore, he does tend to save his best for Newmarket. He tends to run well on both Newmarket courses and will bid to maintain his 100 per cent strike rate on the Rowley Mile in the Challenge Stakes, in which he will bid to become the first three-time winner of the race. This year he arrives on the back of two lesser efforts in the July Cup and Supreme Stakes, but this doesn’t look the deepest renewal of this Group 2, and Limato has little to find with Mustashry when you factor in that rival’s Group 1 penalty. It would be no surprise to see the Henry Candy-trained seven-year-old roll back the years, especially with connections booking the services of Ryan Moore.

Limato simply too good in the Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes at @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/BugM44HRa5

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 12, 2018

Prescott warming up for the Cesarewitch in Paradise?

The Old Rowley Cup had its inaugural running in 2014 and has been a welcome addition to the Flat racing calendar, a valuable handicap for three-year-olds that has produced some smart performances. This year’s renewal looks a cracker, with 19 unexposed middle-distance performers set to go to post. Some are less exposed than others, however, and Battle of Paradise is of particular interest. He found only a couple of useful performers too good on his first two starts, but showed the benefit of a gelding operation and a seven-month break when winning with plenty in hand at Chelmsford last time. There was plenty to like about that performance. He was very strong in the betting and never giving his backers a moment of doubt, powering away in the closing stages in the style of a potentially smart type. The handicapper may have taken a chance with his opening mark and, though he will race from 1 lb out of the weights, the feeling is he is much better than a mark of 79.