Western Australia out to give Aidan O'Brien a first success in Feilden Stakes

3.00 Newmarket
bet365 Feilden Stakes (Listed) | 1m1f, 3yo | ITV4/RTV

Key horses and questions

Can Western Australia make fitness count?

There is a new primetime TV slot for this Listed trial, as ITV Racing viewers get the chance to see if there is another Classic winner lurking.

The Feilden remains on the opening day of the meeting this time around rather than switch to Thursday like the rest of the 2018 Tuesday card has done, with terrestrial television cameras honing in on last year's day one highlight.

Aidan O'Brien, who is yet to strike in this event, relies on Western Australia, a colt who is race-fit having finished second to Playa Del Puente in a Listed contest at Dundalk last month.

Before that the son of Australia had gathered some experience of the Rowley Mile's undulations when fourth to Persian King in the Autumn Stakes. He followed that with the best run of his juvenile campaign, finishing third to stablemate Magnia Grecia in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster.

O'Brien said: "We were delighted with Western Australia's run at Dundalk last time and we think he'll improve a good bit.

"He runs over nine furlongs for the first time and could well go up in trip after this."

Will Gosden field another Feilden winner?

John Gosden often runs a good one in this, not least subsequent Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn four years ago, and he fields Kick On this time.

Golden Horn wins the Feilden Stakes in 2015. Does John Gosden have a similar star in waiting this time in Kick On?Credit: Mark Cranham

The Qatar Racing-owned colt has something to find on the book with Western Australia, but he looked as if he would make a better three-year-old last year, and he has some key course form having won a mile maiden at the track last September.

Following that, the son of Charm Spirit acquitted himself well when sixth, beaten three and a half lengths, in the Vertem Futurity in which Western Australia was third.

Gosden said: "We've had the Feilden Stakes in mind for Kick On for some time. He's been working nicely this spring and showed he can handle the track when wining his maiden there last year."

Can Kadar build on immense promise?

Karl Burke was twice foiled by fast conditions when trying to run Kadar in better races last autumn and he is hoping the ground is suitable for the promising son of Scat Daddy to take his chance.

The €700,000 breeze-up purchase looked a colt with a future when accounting for previous winner Waldstern in a mile novice at Haydock last September but has not been seen since.

Kadar was due to run at the Rowley Mile after that, but the fast ground put paid to those plans.

Burke is keen to get him back on track and said: "Hopefully they have put enough water on and as long as there's no jar in it, Kadar will run. He's matured really well over winter and is a nice prospect."

What others say

William Haggas, trainer of Boerhan
He always shows us plenty at home and we're trying a new trip with him to see if he's a genuine stakes horse or just a handicapper.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Walkinthesand
We've always thought plenty of him and I feel the further we go the better he'll be. He's done very well and has been to Kempton for a gallop. I think he'll improve for this run, and as long as he handles the track he should be in the first four.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of I'll Have Another
She was a good second at the track in the Zetland Stakes last year, but a lack of opportunities means she's taking on the colts. This trip will probably be on the sharp side for her, but hopefully she can pick up some more black type.

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app