Great Britain & Ireland Preview: Siskany ready for Legacy Cup

It’s a relatively quiet week on the British and Irish racing front this weekend. However, there are still some very good contests at Newbury, for which all races are subject to a TwinSpires Rest of the World Bet Back offer. Let’s have a look at some of the features.

Race 2, Newbury, 8:40 a.m. ET: Legacy Cup (G3), 1 3/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Not an overly strong field for this contest, which has been a trial for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in past years. Last year’s winner #1 Solid Stone returns, but he’s not well treated under the set weights and penalties conditions, and will carry five pounds more than several horses that are higher in the ratings.

Godolphin has a strong hand with three runners. Much will probably depend on how ready #6 Siskany is for his first start since finishing third to Stay Foolish in the Red Sea Turf Handicap (G3) on Saudi Cup day Feb. 26. However, he’s raced well fresh before and looks a nice option for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey Adam Kirby.

Of the other Godolphin runners, #3 Dubai Future may start favorite, and the in-form #5 Kemari should go well. The best of the others is probably the three-year-old #8 Lysander.

• $10 win/$20 show: #6 Siskany

Race 3, Newbury, 9:15 a.m. ET: World Trophy (G3), 5 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

A handy field of sprinters has assembled here. Interestingly, many of them have been running in six-furlong contests for much of the season, so how well they handle five furlongs will be interesting.

Considering that, I’m going to support a regular five-furlong dasher in #7 Manaccan. The three-year-old has been improving in handicap company most of this season and scored decisively at Doncaster Sept. 7 under 140 pounds. He looks a decent sprinter in the making.

Of the others, I’d definitely ignore the last start of #8 Mitbaahy, when he finished well down the track in the King George Stakes at Goodwood July 29. His form prior to that was exemplary, and Goodwood can sometimes be a tricky track.

• $10 win/$20 show: #7 Manaccan
• $5 exacta box: 7, 8

Race 4, Newbury, 9:50 a.m. ET: Mill Reef (G2), 6 furlongs, 2-year-olds

A smallish but decent set of juveniles contest this race. Trainers Roger Varian and Richard Hannon between them have four of the seven runners, and all look to have some chance.

The biggest buzz is probably around Varian’s  #5 Sakheer, a six-length winner of his most recent start. He looks to be a juvenile of some promise and could dominate here.

However, he ran somewhat greenly when second on debut, and if he has similar problems in this race, it could play into the hands of Hannon’s #6 Shouldvebeenaring. He has won his last three and has shown an ability to fight when necessary, which could prove valuable if he can keep up with Sakheer.

• $10 win/$20 show: #6 Shouldvebeenaring

Race 5, Newbury, 10:25 a.m. ET: Dubai Duty Free Handicap, 1 1/4 miles, 3-year-olds and up

This 13-runner handicap looks to be an open contest, one in which anyone who gets a winner will get decent odds. Godolphin are again well-represented, and any one of #2 Warren Point, #3 Marching Army, or #5 Ottoman Fleet could win for them.

My pick, however, is the improving three-year-old #11 Hamaki. From the in-form William Haggas stable, Hamaki has won his last two and has improved with every start this season. His effort last start under 136 pounds was admirable, and he drops back to 120 pounds for this. It could well prove luxurious.

• $10 win/$30 show: #11 Hamaki