'You don't do what he did unless you're special' - Superlative Stakes lowdown

Saturday: 3.15 Newmarket
bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

Charlie Appleby has quickly developed an impressive record in this race, winning it four times in the last six years with some of his best juveniles.

His 2018 winner Quorto went on to land the National Stakes and retired with a career-high Racing Post Rating of 122. Two years ago Master Of The Seas (best RPR 119) won it before finishing second in the 2,000 Guineas and star juvenile Native Trail was successful last year.

Native Trail now has a highest RPR of 123 and is therefore the best of Godolphin’s recent winners, so are we looking at another superstar in the Appleby-trained Victory Dance?

Isaac Shelby: an interesting contender for Brian MeehanCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The market certainly thought we were about to witness a star performance on his debut at this course last month as he was backed into 8-11 favouritism, but his win was only workmanlike. However, the most impressive part of his race was definitely the last part as he finished well.

He already shapes like he might want further, but he must be among the best juveniles at Appleby’s Moulton Paddocks yard and it’ll be exciting to see what he can produce here.

Richard Hannon has been the other trainer to follow. He won it in 2014 with Estidhkaar and 2019 with Mystery Power, and has booked Christophe Soumillon to ride Dark Thirty. This will be Soumillon's first ride for Hannon, but he did partner Dick Turpin to Group 1 success in Italy for Hannon’s father in 2011.

Only three others will line up and Lion Of War looks like the best of them. He is from the first crop of Roaring Lion and appears to have inherited his sire’s ability judging by his ten-length success in a 7f novice at Newcastle last time, when he was carrying a 7lb penalty.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Soumillon 'pretty close to the best'

Leading Darley July Cup hope Perfect Power is not the only ride Christophe Soumillon has to look forward to on Newmarket's card as connections of Dark Thirty have snapped up last week's Eclipse ace.

Sean Levey rode Dark Thirty to win his maiden at Newbury before finishing fifth on the juvenile in the Chesham at Royal Ascot, but he partners Isaac Shelby for Brian Meehan, so trainer Richard Hannon and owners Martin Hughes and Michael Kerr-Dineen have sided with Soumillon, who starred at Sandown on Vadeni.

Christophe Soumillon winning the Eclipse on VadeniCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Kerr-Dineen said: "We were pleased with Ascot. He seemed to hit a little flat patch two out, but we were thrilled with the way he ran on. We've always liked the horse and he's got a nice turn of foot, but will definitely stay. Richard has always been keen on him too.

"He's nicely bred and has been working well – we thought we had a real chance at Ascot and we're very hopeful."

Of Soumillon, Kerr-Dineen added: "For owners like us, it's silly not to have the best available and he'd come pretty close to that. We tried to get Frankie [Dettori] but he's otherwise engaged."

What they say

Charlie Appleby trainer of Victory Dance
We were pleased with his debut and he has definitely come forward for the run mentally. He looks the type of horse who is going to progress physically as the season goes on but it was always the plan to take this well-trodden route with him. We have been very happy with his preparation.

Michael Bell, trainer of For A Laugh
With respect, this doesn't look the strongest renewal and we might meet similar horses in open maidens, so we're rolling the dice. His run at Sandown was encouraging and the second [One Nation] and last horse [Forca Timao] have won since, so the form is working out well. He's a good mover so the ground will be fine. He's got to step forward, but it's a small field, so hopefully he can run well.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Isaac Shelby
We had him in the July Stakes, but just wanted to take a look at that and this was always the plan. He's a nice horse who came out of Newbury really well. This is a different test, but he's in good shape and we feel he's going to be okay in faster conditions – Sean [Levey] has ridden him in plenty of work at home on quicker ground.

David Redvers, racing manager to Qatar Racing Limited, owners of Lion Of War
We hope his ten-length victory last time was as good as it looked; horses don't do that unless they've got something special about them. There was a lot to remind you of his late sire Roaring Lion in the way he did it. We're full of hope and he's mixing it with the big boys. I've heard nothing but positive reports about some of his market rivals, but he's got the right attitude and we'll learn a great deal about him.

Saturday's race previews:

3.00 Ascot: 'This summer she's blossomed' - Boughey fields transformed filly in hot handicap

3.35 Ascot: Can Chindit make it a terrific ten straight winning favourites in Summer Mile?

3.50 Newmarket: Can Samburu end long three-year-old drought in the Bunbury Cup for the Gosdens?

4.05 York: Does William Haggas hold the Cup key again with lightly raced Mahrajaan?

4.25 York: 'Special horse' Perfect Power bids for fourth Group 1 success

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