Ebn Arab is strongly-fancied for the group three Somerville Tattersall Stakes over seven furlongs of 'good to soft' Newmarket today; what beats this USA-bred Dixie Union colt will win, according to encouraging reports eminating from Charles Hills' Lambourn yard. All the world and his dog (and cat!) knew Ebn Arab was the proverbial 'cert' when he made a sparkling debut over a similar distance at York in July, powering home under champion jockey Paul Hanagan to land a countrywide gamble in the colours of Hamdan al Maktoum; next stop the prestigious group three 'Acomb' over course and distance nigh on a month later. Predictably Ebn Arab improved, ran really well in fact but found Dundonnel and two others too speedy; post-race comments were all about giving him more time to mature, hence a 'spell' of five weeks. This wont be easy and yet at this juncture of what promises to be a successful career Ebn Arab will be in the right place at the right time on the right ground.
'Unbeaten' Havana Gold is guaranteed to be favourite; this Richard Hannon-trained colt has won all races completed but Ryan Moore came off at Longchamp when the Teofilio colt was clear in the final furlong, following up with victory in a listed race over a mile Haydock. On my time-handicap Havana Gold wont be good enough, neither will six others and it's to be hoped Ebn Arab can reproduce his best form, or even better it on a course that should suit ideally. A seven-race programme begins with nine 'decs' for the Maiden Stakes over the Rowley Mile, an opportunity for Telescope to build on a promising debut at Ascot earlier this month when short-headed by Snow King. Sir Michael's Stoute's charge was a heavily-backed favourite, jockey Richard Mullen 'lost his whip' according to a race report; Richard Hughes is booked this time!
Five lengths away in fourth was Elkaayed, why has Roger Varian decided to have another crack at Telescope? Perhaps 'Hamdan' wants to have runners; that's often the case when the Dubai Finance Minister is visiting but the likelihood is they fancy Elkaayed to do much better under Hangan, replacing Andrea Atzeni! There are also five superbly-bred newcomers from fashionable yards, including Autun, owned by Khaled Abdulla, trained by Sir Henry Cecil and mount of Tom Queally! Another Frankel? Such intrigue is over-ridden by 'form' fact, Telescope should improve considerably, with Stoute's yard now firing, and justifies support. Rest of this card looks too difficult but running tandem is Pontefract where Hills-trained Dali's Lover should make it third time lucky in the Maiden Stakes over a stiff mile which is a prime requisite for what is a stayng prospect.
SELECTIONS
R3 (9) Telescope
R12 (5) Glen Ginnie (e.w)
R18 (3) Ebn Arab (e.w)
R27 (8) Dali's Lover
