I'm set to ride at Newmarket's Craven meeting, with a key mount on Derby prospect Wareeth in the Listed Feilden Stakes. My standout ride for the week, Wareeth, trained by Archie Watson, will take on the Listed Feilden Stakes, a significant step up in class following his impressive 14-length victory in a novice race at Newcastle.
Although he doesn't currently hold a Derby entry, we've been pleased with his progress since his debut. I had the chance to ride him last week and felt good, but this second start will be telling. Aidan O'Brien's Isaac Newton has experience on his side, having won his maiden at Goodwood and finished fourth in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, and he sets the standard with an official rating of 106. Wareeth and another colt, Poseidon's Warrior, are moving from novice company into this race and are also entered in the traditional Derby trial, the Group 2 Dante at York.
I'm expecting a strong performance from Zoulu Chief in the Weatherbys With Venatour Racing Handicap, given his impressive run at Newmarket in the autumn. He's been active on the All-Weather circuit over the winter, winning at Wolverhampton and giving a good challenge to Completely Random at Lingfield Park. Approaching his prime at five years old, he's slightly higher in the ratings than his best win at York in 2023 but appears to be a 90-rated horse. I've had the opportunity to ride Jane Chapple-Hyam's outsider Harlequin Breeze in work, and despite likely being at higher odds, she deserves her place in the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes.
She's a tough daughter of New Bay with potentially smart form, having come within a neck of William Haggas's Zooming. Impossible Mission needs to demonstrate his ability on turf, receiving weight from all his rivals in the National Stud Handicap. John Butler's three-year-old had a winning handicap debut under Neil Callan at Wolverhampton and should have improved from his reappearance.
For Des Donovan's Lady Fizz, it's all about gaining experience in the Molson Coors British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes, facing fillies from prominent yards over a mile, which might be a minimum trip for her given her breeding. I'm looking forward to riding Marco Botti's Shergar Cup winner Prince Of India in the Zyn Abernant Stakes on Thursday. It will be my first time riding him on the track, but I was impressed when I sat on him on the gallops last year. He's a powerfully built colt who could be a force in stakes sprints.
The race appears wide-open, but he should be in top form after a respectable comeback in the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton. I have high expectations for Hawk Mountain this year, so anything less than a winning return in the Group 3 Betway Craven Stakes would be disappointing.
Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett is a Group 1 winner after taking the Futurity Trophy and can strengthen his Derby claims. Another favorite of mine, Karl Burke's Boiling Point, returns to turf in the Group 3 Betway Earl Of Sefton Stakes, and after his recent outing, he can establish himself as a genuine Pattern performer this season.