RACING expert Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) has been in the money recently and has taken a look at the best plays for Saturday's action from Newmarket.
1:50 Saturday | Royal Lodge Stakes | ITV
The Royal Lodge is a Group 2 over a mile for juveniles and is usually won by a fairly useful stayer in the making.
This looks a strong renewal to me, but I expect a Royal Ascot winner to get his head back in front here.
Arthur Kitt (10/3 William Hill) won the Cesham in June and comes here on the back of his first career defeat in the Solario Stakes.
He never looked like beating Too Darn Hot that day, however I suspect not many juveniles will this season.
He was over three lengths ahead of a useful sort there and with the extra distance here a positive, combined with the fact his last start is likely to have brought him on after a break, I suspect he will be hard to beat.
2:25 Saturday | Cheveley Park Stakes | ITV
The Cheveley Park Stakes looks a very hot renewal with a previous Group 1 winner taking on fillies with stacks of group form to their names, and whoever wins this is likely to end the season as champion juvenile filly.
I'm taking on the front two in the market with one from a smaller yard who, in my opinion, has the potential to be a high-class sprinter in the future.
Lady Kaya (8/1 Bet365) is dropping back a furlong here after two big runs over seven furlongs.
Last time in a Group 1 where she led a furlong out after travelling supremely well; she will love the pace they go here and with the promise of being a better horse over six furlongs I'm backing her each-way.
3:00 Saturday | Middle Park Stakes | ITV
The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 for juveniles over six furlongs and is normally won by a precocious type, rather than a future classic winner, and it looks full of speedy types once again.
There is an odds-on favourite who looks potentially special, and I suspect Jash will also have a huge future, however, I'm giving one more chance to the forgotten horse of the race.
Sergei Prokofiev (10/1 Unibet) was well fancied for the Coventry Stakes earlier in the season where he ran a big race coming third behind Calyx. I think that's strong form and a repeat of that would see him go very close here.
Last time out was too bad to be true – he never settled and ended up tailed off – but the stable was under a cloud, and if the tongue tie settles him and allows him to settle, he appeals as an each-way selection for this.
Best Bets
1:50 Newmarket – Arthur Kitt to win (10/3 William Hill)
2:25 Newmarket – Lady Kaya each-way (8/1 Bet365)
3:00 Newmarket – Sergei Prokofiev each-way (10/1 Unibet)
