Whistlejacket to headline strong juvenile squad as Aidan O'Brien outlines Newmarket plans

Group 1 winners Whistlejacket and Lake Victoria look set to be the main players from a formidable juvenile squad for Aidan O'Brien on Saturday at Newmarket, where the Juddmonte-sponsored Middle Park and Cheveley Park Stakes headline the card.  

Whistlejacket, the even-money favourite with Paddy Power for the Middle Park, has won three of his six starts and showed his durability when contesting the Prix Morny at Deauville eight days after finishing runner-up behind Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. He shrugged off the quick turnaround by coming home three-quarters of a length in front of Rashabar to land his first Group 1.

O'Brien is responsible for five of the 12 Middle Park entries, but looks likely to rely on Ides Of March as back-up to Whistlejacket. 

Ides Of March has won his last two starts in impressive fashion, getting off the mark when landing a strong Curragh maiden by three lengths last month, before making light work of his rivals in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes three weeks later.

Henri Matisse, who finished runner-up in the National Stakes on Irish Champions Festival weekend, was also left in contention but could wait for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp next month.

"The Middle Park is the plan for Whistlejacket," said O'Brien. "We were delighted with him in the Prix Morny and he's been in good form since. Ides Of March could run with him. It looks like Henri Matisse might go to France for the Lagardere, but we'll see."

Lake Victoria could be set to make a relatively quick reappearance in the Cheveley Park just 13 days after her excellent display in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

Lake Victoria (right): winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

The daughter of Frankel is unbeaten in three starts over seven furlongs but could drop back in trip to set up a clash against fellow unbeaten Group 1 winner Babouche from the Ger Lyons stable.

O'Brien added: "We were thinking of the Cheveley Park for Lake Victoria before the Moyglare and it's very possible she could run. Before she ran at the Curragh we didn't think she would have any problem going down to six furlongs."

Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (2.25 Newmarket, Saturday)
Coral: Evs Babouche, 11-4 Lake Victoria, 7 Daylight, 15-2 Celandine, 10 Heavens Gate, Leovanni, Rayevka, Truly Enchanting, 14 Arabian Dusk, 20 Bubbling, 33 bar

Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (3.00 Newmarket, Saturday)
Paddy Power: Evs Whistlejacket, 3 Ides Of March, 6 Shadow Of Light, 7 Black Forza, 10 Henri Matisse, 16 Defence Minister, 20 bar

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