Dewhurst Stakes: 'This has always been the plan' - trainers on the day's Group 1

Saturday: 3.00 Newmarket
Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) | 7f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

Nostrum will bid to emulate a host of champion two-year-olds and extend his unbeaten record to three when lining up in the Dewhurst.

He followed up his debut success at Sandown with victory in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket last time and is second-favourite for next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas behind Little Big Bear.

"We're excited," said Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon. "It's a big step up. The form of his maiden has worked out well. Sadly, he missed the Flying Scotsman at Doncaster but won nicely last time.

"It's all about next season with him. He's a lovely colt and we'll see whether he's physically and mentally ready to compete at this level."

Juddmonte last won the Group 1 with Frankel in 2010 and will also be represented this year by the Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean. He won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes on his third start in August and stepped up in class to land the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at York.

"He's an exciting horse in his own right and is more experienced," said Mahon. "He's a Group 2 winner and Andrew said he felt he improved from York to Doncaster. He should run a big race."

'This is his time to go and prove himself'

Naval Power attempts to copy his sire Teofilo by becoming an unbeaten winner of the Dewhurst.

Godolphin have won the race with champion two-year-olds Dawn Approach, Pinatubo and Native Trail, and rely on Naval Power, who won the Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock last month. He has won four times this season, including a Listed contest at Ascot.

While recognising the benefits of experience, trainer Charlie Appleby is aware of the task facing Naval Power but hopes he can establish himself against six high-quality rivals and emerge as a major Classic contender.

"Naval Power brings a great profile into the Dewhurst," said Appleby. "He's done everything we've asked of him so far – every time he has won in a fashion that has surprised us.

"He's a very well-balanced colt and brings a good level of experience into the race, with his last two wins being at Listed level. He's slightly different to Pinatubo and Native Trail in that they had solid Group 1 form behind them, whereas we view Naval Power as very much a three-year-old.

"This is his time to go and prove himself at this level, as well as putting himself into the Classic picture for next season."

What they say

Andrew Balding, trainer of Chaldean
I don't think the ground is too much of an issue for him. He seems to be very versatile in terms of the ground. He's straightforward and an absolute dream. We hope he's good enough for this level but there's some pretty decent opposition.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Aesop's Fables
We think the very soft ground was to blame at the Curragh. We were looking forward to running him in the National Stakes, so we were a bit disappointed. Maybe it came a bit quick after the Futurity too, as he'd been off for a very long time before the Futurity. He's been doing well at home since and we've been very happy with him.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Isaac Shelby
We're happy with him. The Dewhurst has always been the plan and he was a good winner of the Group 2 Superlative Stakes last time.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Marbaan
He's been good as gold and not missed a day. We're just hoping his performance last time was down to the ground. The form of the Vintage couldn't have worked out much better. He beat the same horse Nostrum beat last time by a similar distance. Had we not run him in Ireland he'd be shorter, but he has to put that behind him.

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of Royal Scotsman
He's absolutely thriving. He wasn't right after York and we've taken every precaution to make sure he's spot on. You don't break the track record at Goodwood easily and he should have a great chance.

Read our Saturday previews:

1.50 Newmarket: 'It can play to his strengths' – Zetland test expected to suit Flying Honours

2.25 Newmarket: can Appleby and Buick springboard another star in the Autumn Stakes?

3.15 York: 'This is a nice prize' – key trainer quotes for valuable sprint handicap at York

3.40 Newmarket: 'She's had the exact same programme as Buzz' – can Henderson win the Ces again?

4.02 Chepstow: 'He's been working nicely' – find out who is expecting a big Silver Trophy run

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