Can Kayfast Warrior deny old rival to land sixth win in seven starts?

Wednesday: 4.10 Brighton
Wainwright Brighton Mile Challenge Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | Sky

Over the course of his last six races, Kayfast Warrior has beaten 43 of his 44 rivals. His spectacular run of form has equated to five victories and a whopping 28lb rise in the handicap. The only horse to have finished ahead of him in that time is Mercurius Power.

The pair face off once again in this mile handicap and they run off similar terms as they did at Chepstow last month, with Kayfast Warrior 1lb better off for a neck defeat.

The Tom Dascombe-trained three-year-old made amends for that defeat when hacking up on a mark of 76 at Sandown last Wednesday and is 7lb well-in as he can race off the same mark here.

Mercurius Power has endured a lighter campaign and may have more improvement to come after just five career starts. The recently gelded son of Awtaad appears the value play to confirm the form if he handles the idiosyncratic track.

Marco Ghiani and Saeed bin Suroor have teamed up for a number of successes this term, including with Real World at Royal Ascot, and they join forces with Chief Of Staff, whose sole success came in a 7f maiden at this track in June.

Godolphin's Chief Of Staff won at Brighton under Marco Ghiani in JuneCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Whether he didn't handle the all-weather surface at Chelmsford last time or he was merely outclassed is up for debate, but the fact that he hung left-handed doesn't bode well on the return to Brighton.

De Vegas Kid, winner of this race in 2019, bids to regain his crown despite entering the twilight stages of his career and cannot be discounted. The same applies to Larado, who makes his first start for Mick Appleby after eight runs for Joseph O'Brien.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Kayfast Warrior
He's well and wouldn't be running if he wasn't 100 per cent sound, the ground may be a little bit quick but he will be running. The track will not affect him but if the ground had some soft in the description it would be better.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Dawn View
She's didn't quite see home the trip at Sandown last time, but ran really well as that was her first run from a break and will be better for this. She's been fine since and we know she handles the track really well, so we're hopeful of a big run.

Alastair Donald, racing manager for King Power Racing, owners of Mercurius Power
We were pleased with his win at Chepstow as it was his first time on turf and following a gelding operation. He showed a great attitude that day. It's a competitive and open race, but he is bred to be better in time.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Larado
We've not had him for that long and it will be his first run for us. We bought him at the Newmarket sales three weeks ago and he looks a really nice horse. He will probably need his first run and will come on for it.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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