Wathnan Racing supplement unbeaten Defence Minister for Mill Reef at Newbury on Saturday - find out the potential field

Wathnan Racing’s unbeaten juvenile Defence Minister is one of two supplementary entries for the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Defence Minister cost €210,000 as a breeze-up in May and has been successful in two starts in novice company at Newmarket and Haydock. He is a 40-1 shot for next year’s 2,000 Guineas with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power.

The Hamad Al Jehani-trained son of Too Darn Hot has been supplemented for the £100,000 race at a cost of £5,000 on Monday.

Richard Brown, adviser to Wathnan Racing, said: "He's made a very pleasing start to his career and now has to go into deeper waters.

"The Mill Reef looks a potentially deep race but Hamad is very happy with him and he's training well. He's a colt we're very hopeful of and we're looking forward to seeing him run again."

Al Jehani on Monday reported Defence Minister to be in good shape for his step up in class this weekend.

He said: "He’s shown a lot of ability in his two starts and has given us a lot of confidence to put him in a stakes race.

“The Mill Reef is one of the hottest two-year-old races in Europe and he deserves to take his chance against some nice horses.

“He has improved mentally with time and is pleasing us with his work. We gave him time after his breeze-up in May and he’s a nice horse. It’s still early days to assess his level but he has a pedigree that suggests he will be even nicer at three.”

Brian, trained by Sylvester Kirk, was similarly supplemented for the Newbury Group 2 on the back of finishing third in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton this month. 

Gimcrack one-two Cool Hoof Luke and Shadow Of Light, Sirenia Stakes winner Symbol Of Strength and Solario Stakes fourth Tiger Mask also featured in the 19 confirmations.

Aidan O’Brien has four possible runners in last week’s Doncaster sales-race second Camille Pissarro and Champagne runner-up Monumental, Round Tower Stakes winner Ides Of March and Prix d’Arenberg third Treasure Isle.

Powerful Glory, an impressive debut winner at Pontefract, and Salisbury debut scorer Sarab Star remain in contention.

Portland winner American Affair and fourth-placed Albasheer are 8-1 joint-favourites with Coral for the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday.

Last year’s winner Significantly is among four horses priced at 12-1. My Mate Alfie, a winner of a premier handicap at the Curragh on Sunday, was not confirmed for the £180,000 handicap.

Mill Reef confirmations

• Cool Hoof Luke
• Andesite
• An Outlaw’s Grace
• Billboard Star
• Brian
• Camille Pissarro
• Defence Minister
• Francisco’s Piece
• Huscal
• Ides Of March
• La Bellota
• Monumental
• Powerful Glory
• Sarab Star
• Shadow Of Light
• Star Anthem
• Symbol Of Strength
• Tiger Mask
• Treasure Isle

Paddy Power: 3 Ides Of March, 7-2 Cool Hoof Luke, 4 Shadow Of Light, 6 Symbol Of Strength, 8 Powerful Glory, 10 Camille Pissarro, Treasure Isle, 12 Brian, Defence Minister, 16 Andesite, Sarab Star, Tiger Mask, 20 Huscal, Monumental, 25 La Bellota, 33 Star Anthem, 40 An Outlaw’s Grace, Billboard Star, Francisco’s Piece

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