There are some great races this weekend including the Cambridgeshire and the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket however it’s Friday that I think there are 2 horses that look ahead of their rivals and whilst they are both favourites I think they will be much shorter come race day.

The first is in the Shadwell Rockfell Stakes which is a Group 2 race over 7f for Fillies. The favourite for this race is Fair Eva who after winning her first two races impressively she was last seen being beaten into 3rd at York in the Lowther Stakes behind Queen Kindly and Roly Poly. Fair Eva is by Frankel and won on debut at Haydock in impressive style despite starting slowly. When she got the hang of things she picked up really nicely and won going away beating Nations Alexander by 4 lengths. She then went to Ascot for the Group 3 Juddmonte Stakes and this step up in class was well within her compass. She comfortably beat Kilmah by 4 lengths and looked a Group 1 horse. She then went to York for the Lowther Stakes and was sent off 4/11 for the race despite taking on some very smart Fillies. She was a bit keen and free as she wasn’t able to get any cover and despite leading inside the final furlong she was outbattled by Roly Poly and Queen Kindly. Roger Charlton has maintained since then that she is probably the best Filly he has trained and this looks an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways. She is best priced 11/10 at the moment but it would be no surprise to see her sent off much shorter if she is declared particularly as the 2 horses that beat her at York are entered (2nd and 3rd fav behind Lady Aurelia) in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes on the Saturday.

The 2nd horse who I really like is Hathal. Hathal was regarded by connections as a horse with a huge future and things didn’t go to plan at the early stages of his 3 year old career however his last 3 runs have been very good. He was beaten in a handicap in August 2015 however this was given 7lb to My Dream Boat who is now rated 122 having won the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot. Hathal then ran in a Listed event at Newbury and despite being a 3 year old he got the better of his older rivals without really being troubled on soft ground which connections believe he doesn’t want. He made his return at Haydock after nearly a year off the track and despite the heavy rain and the ground going against Hathal he dug in deep to repel Mitchum Swagger and Convey. Back in 4th that day was Custom Cut and this was on his preferred going and he got run of the race. Custom Cut has been installed as 2nd favourite for this race on Friday but with fitness now assured for Hathal and the likelihood he will get better going it’s hard to see that form being reversed. Nathra would probably be the biggest danger should she line up as she would be dropping down from Group 1 company however she also has other engagements that she may take up. Hathal is currently top price of 7/2 and if she runs I would be surprised if he went off bigger than 2/1. They can be combined to make a 8.45/1 double and if they both run (neither have alternative engagements this weekend) I think this has an excellent chance of landing.