'He's well bred and now living up to that' - Tempus out to crack Group 2 company

Friday: 3.35 Newmarket
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Joel Stakes (Group 2) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The last four winners of the Joel Stakes had previously scored at the highest level but none of this year's field has yet made their mark in such company.

The Joel is the last Group 2 for three-year-olds and older over a mile staged in Britain this year and precedes the two final remaining Group 1 contests at this distance – next Saturday's Sun Chariot Stakes for fillies and the QEII at Ascot on Champions Day.

Of this year's field, Oscula is entered for the Sun Chariot and Tempus, Pogo and El Drama have the QEII option. None of the four is available at odds shorter than 20-1 ante-post for either of those two autumn prizes and that implies we are dealing with a below-par running of this Group 2 race.

Also giving credence to that theory is the fact the exposed six-year-old Tempus, a horse beaten in handicaps, conditions contests and Listed races earlier this season heads the betting.

Admittedly that is underselling Tempus, as his handicap mark has risen from 101 in June to 117 after three successive victories and on official figures he is the one to beat.

However, it is asking plenty of Tempus to sustain his form and continue his progression. There are also other credible winners.

Pogo: second in the Joel Stakes last seasonCredit: Pool

The admirably consistent Pogo will be tough to kick out of the frame. He enjoyed a soft lead when a close second to Benbatl in last season's Joel and the chances of lightning striking twice are entirely plausible with a lack of alternative pace outlets.

Pogo's stablemate Mutasaabeq has become frustrating and consideration must additionally be given to Potapova and El Drama.

Potapova turned in a career-best effort at Sandown last time and is open to improvement as a miler, while El Drama is fascinating as he was the highest-rated of these last campaign and the Roger Varian yard remains in tremendous form.

If El Drama is ready to fire following a 398-day break, he has a fair chance.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Busy Oscula back for more

The battle-hardened Oscula has been one of the busiest horses this year but trainer George Boughey is hoping her run in the Joel Stakes will tee her up for another hectic end to the campaign.

The three-year-old has run nine times since the start of June and finished out of the first three just once. Her success included Group 3 wins at Glorious Goodwood and Deauville, but she has not run since finishing third at that track in the Prix Daphnis last month.

"She had a break when she got back from France, she's obviously been very busy and has been a good money-spinner, winning two Group races this season," Boughey said.

Oscula: has been one of the stars of the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She will have a busy autumn campaign and improve for the run, but she's certainly ready to start again and looks up to the level that she was very competitive at last year."

Oscula has not run at Group 2 level since finishing third in the Rockfel Stakes on the same card last year and will have to step up on her previous performances this season, according to the Newmarket trainer.

"I think her market position is about right, she's got a bit to prove at this level," Boughey said. "She was third in the Rockfel last year and she's one of two three-year-olds taking on some seasoned pros.

"I think there's going to be a decent pace. Tempus, Pogo and El Drama are all likely to go forward, and she's drawn on the other side of Tempus where we'd like to be, but she goes there in good shape."

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of El Drama
It's his first start of the season after a setback in the spring, but he's training well. We expect him to run a nice race.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Mutasaabeq and Pogo
Mutasaabeq will like the return to the Rowley Mile and while he has been a bit frustrating, he's run some good races in defeat. The form from his defeat at Goodwood last time has worked out really well and hopefully the blinkers going on can give him a bit extra. Pogo tries very hard and while he's been on the go a while, he's fresh and it's worth running him.

Simon Turner, racing manager to Hambleton Racing, owners of Tempus
We're really looking forward to the run. He's very well bred and he's now living up to that. He's won his two Group 3s really impressively, especially the last one when giving weight away, and he goes there with a good chance.

Stan Moore, trainer of The Wizard Of Eye
He's in top form. The ground was a bit tacky at Doncaster last time and he got stuck in it, but we're hoping for a better performance this time. It's a hard enough race, but if you're not in it, you can't win it.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Friday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Can unlucky Zanbaq benefit from Roger Varian's sequence of success?

2.15 Listowel: Handicap blot? Willie Mullins' summer revelation chases €100,000 pot

2.25 Newmarket: 'She's progressed again' - high hopes Pearl can overturn form with Sea Silk Road

3.00 Newmarket: The new Inspiral? Commissioning could prove Gosdens' latest star in Rockfel

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