Newmarket tips for Friday: Class-dropping Nathra can collect in Joel Stakes

David Metcalf | September 22, 2016

Nathra to deliver under Dettori in Joel Stakes

Nathra can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winnings ways in the Group 2 Joel Stakes on a cracking eight-race card at Newmarket (15.40).

The John Gosden trained filly won the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes in good style on seasonal reappearance before going on to finish a solid sixth of 16 to Minding in the 1000 Guineas over course and distance.

Nathra then ran a stormer when beaten just a length into second behind La Cressonniere in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Deuaville, and the winner has won twice since to extend her unbeaten run to eight, making her 5/1 second-favourite with Coral for the Arc.

That is form right out of the top draw and, although Nathra disappointed when last seen in action at Royal Ascot, she has since been given a break to freshen-up and returns to action in a far less competitive affair.

This represents the easiest task the three-year-old has faced since landing the Nell Gwyn and with Frankie Dettori in the saddle looks a glorious opportunity for her to get back on the scoresheet.

Beautiful Morning makes plenty of appeal

Beautiful Morning shaped really well when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land the Listed 1m 4f Princess Royal EBF Nayef Stakes (14.30).

Luca Cumani’s filly went down fighting by a neck to We Are Ninety in a 1m 2f contest at Newbury having raced keenly in the early stages and looked all over the winner when leading entering the final furlong.

The third home Nezwaah has won since and gone on to finish an excellent second to the unbeaten So Mi Dar at Yarmouth and Queen’s Trust, who came fourth, has since been placed in Group 1 contests behind Minding and Seventh Heaven.

That gives the form a rock solid look in the context of this contest and Beautiful Morning hails from a yard in good form and looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip.

Lots to like about Laurence in Silver Cambridgeshire

In the Silver Cambridgeshore that brings proceedings to a close (17.55), Laurence looks decent each-way value in a wide-open affair.

The four-year-old is a course winner and comes into the race on the back of a fine second to Khairaat at Doncaster.

Laurence stuck to the task well to be beaten just a length and the winner, to whom he was conceding 7lb, is an unexposed a thriving three-year-old who looked way ahead of his mark.

In the circumstances it was a cracking effort and although now 3lb higher in the weights the selection remains well-treated on the pick of his form and looks the ideal type for this test.