'We wanted Ryan' - why Karl Burke favoured Newbury over Newmarket for Spycatcher

1.50 Newbury
BetVictor Carnarvon Stakes (Listed) | 6f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

The European Free Handicap, run at Newmarket last month, is often seen as one of the weaker 2,000 Guineas trials but the runner-up in this year's event, Naval Crown, went on to run a cracker when fourth in the first Classic, so maybe it was a strong race this season.

The Free Handicap winner, Tactical, made good late headway to cut into Naval Crown's lead before getting up to score by a neck and he was receiving only 1lb from the 2,000 Guineas fourth. The front two pulled two and a half lengths clear of the third and the form looks solid.

Tactical has to shoulder a 3lb penalty for that but, even when taking it into account, a Racing Post Rating of 112 leaves him with 2lb in hand of his nearest rival Happy Romance on form.

Tactical won the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and the July Stakes at Newmarket over five and six furlongs last season, so the drop a furlong back to sprint trips shouldn't be a problem and there is lots of speed in his pedigree. He sets a high standard for the others to reach.

Happy Romance isn't far behind, but she has to carry a 5lb penalty because of her victory in a Group 3 at Salisbury in September, when she beat subsequent Group 1 winner Alcohol Free.

Happy Romance: could feature in plenty of big sprints this year after a superb juvenile campaignCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

She put two below-par runs, behind that rival, behind her when bouncing back to form with a win in Listed company at Chelmsford last time, but this is a tougher test against the boys.

The market likes Creative Force and has done on his last two starts, too. He hasn't let supporters down, though, twice justifying favouritism and he slammed a four-runner field at Newmarket last time. That leaves him with 3lb to find on Tactical on RPRs, but he has run only four times and looks open to more progress than that rival, who is relatively exposed.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Happy Romance is all speed

Happy Romance, one of the success stories of 2020, may have seen a potential Classic avenue closed when she failed to stay seven furlongs in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury last month, but a subsequent Chelmsford victory over six furlongs reopened the doors to what connections hope will prove a prolific season in the top sprints.

A bargain buy at £25,000 as a yearling, Happy Romance progressed to land valuable sales events at Newbury and York last season ahead of a Group 3 Salisbury success and took her enthusiastic owners on a wonderful journey.

The daughter of Dandy Man also finished a close fourth in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes.

A neck Chelmsford success over Chocoya in Listed fillies' company last month confirmed this admirable money-spinner has trained on from two to three and, assuming all goes well at Newbury, it would be no surprise to see her back in racing's highest echelon next month in Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup as she is all speed.

Happy Romance: winner of two big sales races last season at Newbury and York (pictured)Credit: Getty Images

Trainer Richard Hannon said: "Her work this spring has been superb, and we were confident she'd win at Chelmsford if everything went smoothly.

"As it happens, she had a nightmare run round, but still stuck her head down, galloped to the line, and won well without too much fuss.

"Sean [Levey] said she relished the pace of the race and will have an exciting season ahead in some big sprints on the turf."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Creative Force
He's been a model of consistency and is two from two on the Rowley Mile. He'll appreciate any juice in the ground at Newbury, but Tactical will be hard to beat.

Karl Burke, trainer of Spycatcher
We're very hopeful. Seven furlongs will be his optimum, but we had the choice of going to Newmarket or a level track at Newbury where we could get Ryan Moore – that swung it in Newbury's favour. He'll love the ground, and we'll definitely learn something from his run.

Roger Teal, trainer of Whenthedealinsdone
He literally trotted out of the starting stalls at Doncaster and gave them all a ten-length start before getting beat a length. We've done plenty of stalls work with him since, and plan to leave the blind on until the last possible moment on Saturday. He's very immature and was very coltish in the stalls at Doncaster, but does possess lots of natural ability. If things go better at the start he should run a sound race.

Tom Ward, trainer of Mishal Star
She was very unlucky in a Listed fillies' race at Chelmsford last time. She got no run whatsoever, and stuck on well when she finally got out. We think a lot of the filly and hope she'll run a nice race. The ground is a bit of a question mark, though.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Read more of Saturday's previews:

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3.35 Newbury: Find out what John Gosden has to say about Lockinge Stakes favourite Palace Pier

Why we could witness the greatest Lockinge winner since the mighty Frankel

2.05 Newmarket: Is the hype about John Leeper justified? Tom Collins on a tricky Fairway Stakes

2.25 Newbury: St Leger hero Logician on the comeback trail but Al Aasy poses a stern test

2.40 Newmarket: 'The bookmakers have it right' - exciting Bellosa tests Royal Ascot claims

3.00 Newbury: Another Al Kazeem or Defoe? Graeme Rodway on the London Gold Cup contenders

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