Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 11th October 2025

Jaysella’s Saturday selections from Newmarket

Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes (Group 3) 1.15
First Conquest
I reckon it’s a bit of a poser for the opener on Saturday, and although my heart’s telling me Damysus, my head says First Conquest. So, there you are, pay your money and take your pick, and although I do get it that 3 year olds have a pretty decent recent record in this, it’s the four year old First Conquest that I think is the one to beat. Reasons? Well, looking back at his brace of wins at Meydan in January, I think that there’s still more to come, though First Conquest does give weight to both Damysus and Andrew Balding’s Gladius. All in all a good race, where Damysus has to prove he can drop to this 9 furlong trip, but First Conquest gets my vote.

Night Of Thunder Zetland Stakes (Group 3) 1.50
Look To The Stars
Another of the Group races that can to to Charlie Appleby when Look To The Stars rocks up in the Zetland. I mean, Yabba Dabba Do, the way he ran at Newbury last time out in a Conditions Stakes gave notice that he’ll be up for this trip, so I’ll take Look To The Stars to serve it up to the Ballydoyle pair of Endorsement and Pierre Bonnard, while Andrew Balding’s Allegresse completes my list under Oisin Murphy. Look To The Stars is on the hat-trick, so lines up in fine form and gets the big tick from me.

Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3) 2.25
Hankelow
I think that Karl Burke’s Hankelow is the one with the right profile to win this Autumn Stakes. Just touched off by a nose on the nod in the Listed Flying Scotsman at Doncaster, this Night Of Thunder colt can return to winning ways here over this longer trip. Of course, Charlie Appleby has a brilliant record in this, on his home track here at Newmarket, so Al Zanati has to be considered having won his debut here on the July Course, while the Aidan O’Brien pair of New Zealand and Straight Up should both be in the mix. These four are my principals, but I’m happy to go with Karl Burke’s Hankelow for the win.

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) 3.00
Zavateri (nap)
Well here we go for the Dewhurst! And what a race we’ve got in store, oozing Juvenile quality. All the powerhouse yards are well represented, with Charlie Appleby’s Distant Storm just edging it in the markets this week, while Aidan O’Brien runs Gstaad and Italy, and John & Thady Gosden send out Oxagon with Champion Jockey elect Oisin Murphy getting the leg-up. But for all these big guns rolling out their cannons, I’m going to buck that trend and go with Zavateri, and I know I’ve told you this before, Eve Johnson-Houghton does so well with her Juveniles that I’ve got no hesitation in backing her here. For all that, Oxagon has particularly strong line of form to bring to the table, with his fine second in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster getting a first-class franking when Puerto Rico and Cape Operator both scored at ParisLongchamp last weekend. I think that Karl Burke’s Alparslan has been mispriced in the markets, so I’ve taken an each-way punt on him, but Zavateri gets the nudge ahead of Oxagon.

Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.40
Bunting (nb)
We’ve all known for a while how Willie Mullins likes to plunder these valuable Handicaps, and I think he can do it again with Bunting. Canny old Willie ain’t going to get them in on any mark higher that he has to, so there’s been the usual careful bit of campaigning to get Bunting ready for this. Now, he’s got a few for the feature Handicap, but with William Buick booked, I’m reckoning that Bunting is his best hope, and if this unexposed five year old wins, I’m for one putting the flags out! Simon & Ed Crisford have last year’s second Manxman, who looks weighted to make a challenge with Jack Callan’s 5lb claim, while last year’s winner, Alphonse Le Grande cannot be overlooked. Bunting to do what Willie does best, just like he did in the Ebor with Ethical Diamond, and scoop this valuable pot with William Buick pulling the strings again!

Godolphin Flying Start Nursery
Blue To Blue
I think I’ll stick with Karl Burke again for this Nursery. Let us see if this Blue Point colt can bring up the hat-trick after scoring at Newbury Park and Haydock, and if he can defy the 7lb rise for those wins, it could be a good day for the Spigot Lodge handler with Hankelow sure to figure in the Autumn Stakes earlier on the card. With Charlie Appleby at the top of his game, Pacifica Pier must be on my list, while Wedonttelllies has been prominent in the betting this week and completes my list, headed by Blue To Blue.

Modern Games British EBF Boadicea Stakes (Listed) (Filles & Mares) 4.50
Celandine
This looks a whole lot easier for Ed Walker’s Celandine than the Group One Nunthorpe when we last saw her. And I mean, she weren’t exactly disgraced in that hot hot sprint, and with the winner, Asfoora going in again at ParisLongchamp last weekend, there’s plenty of substance to her claims. To my mind, it all happened a bit quick for Celandine in the Nunthorpe, so the return to 6 furlongs here is a plus. Dubai Treasure and Richard Hannon’s Circe also appeal, but I’ll go with Celandine for the win under Kieran Shoemark.