'He has sharpened up again' - Charlie Appleby full of confidence in Native Trail

Native Trail bids to emulate a Godolphin-owned pair of Dewhurst Stakes stars and cap his brilliant two-year-old season by maintaining his unbeaten record in Europe's premier juvenile race, with his trainer Charlie Appleby certain he is the one to beat.

The son of Oasis Dream has not put a foot wrong in three outings, which started with an impressive four-length romp on his debut over subsequent Acomb and Royal Lodge Stakes winner Royal Patronage at Sandown in June, before he narrowly prevailed on his first start in Group company when successful in the Superlative Stakes on the July course a month later.

He then followed in the footsteps of some of Appleby's top two-year-olds when sent over to Ireland for the National Stakes at the Curragh and duly delivered with the most striking juvenile performance of the season, dispatching of Chesham and Futurity Stakes winner Point Lonsdale in brutal fashion by three and a half lengths.

Native Trail powers clear in the National Stakes at the CurraghCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Native Trail takes the next logical step on the ladder as he attempts to give Appleby another National-Dewhurst Stakes double following Pinatubo in 2019.

He said: "Native Trail has been faultless to date and we feel he's improving mentally with each race. As a physical specimen, we've always felt he was a man among boys and he has sharpened up mentally again since the National Stakes. On all evidence to date, he looks the one to beat."

Should Native Trail win it would be a third Dewhurst success for Godolphin, who also took the 2012 running with Dawn Approach as well as with Pinatubo, and solidify his claims to follow them by becoming the leading juvenile of the year.

'He'll be very competitive' - Egan

David Egan is wary of the challenge faced by his mount Bayside Boy as he aims to topple hot favourite Native Trail, but the jockey is hopeful the Champagne Stakes winner can take the step up to the top level in his stride.

Egan, bidding for a second British Group 1 after Mishriff's Juddmonte International at York, partnered the Roger Varian-trained son of New Bay for the first time at Newbury in August when turned over at short odds in a Listed contest.

Bayside Boy (yellow cap) lands the Champagne Stakes last time out under David EganCredit: Alan Crowhurst

However, the duo came out on top next time when denying the Queen's highly regarded Reach For The Moon in the Group 2 Champagne at Doncaster and Egan is hopeful his mount can put up a bold display and give Varian a second Dewhurst win following Belardo's success in 2014.

Egan said: "Obviously we've got Native Trail to beat but he deserves to take his chance. If he's improved from his win at Doncaster as much as he improved from Newbury before, he'll be very competitive. He has a decent draw in stall seven and we should get a nice pace to aim at."

Palmer pleased with ground for Legend

Dubawi Legend has plenty to find on official ratings to be competitive with the leading contenders but trainer Hugo Palmer is hopeful the forecast drying conditions will help him.

The son of Dubawi is rated 25lb inferior to Native Trail and 15lb behind Bayside Boy but the form of his third in the Acomb Stakes has worked out to a high standard.

The winner, Royal Patronage, followed up in the Royal Lodge Stakes and fourth-placed Noble Truth landed a Listed race at Doncaster before finishing runner-up in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp last weekend.

Palmer said: "I'm really happy with him. We've always liked him and I think he's a horse for next year. He missed the Champagne Stakes last month but we've been happy with him since. The drying ground will be to his advantage."

What they say

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Dhabab
He was totally unsuited by the slow ground in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Before that he'd run a decent race to be third to Native Trail in the Superlative Stakes on the July course. He's an outsider in what looks a strong line-up but he's not without a chance.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Go Bears Go
He's in great order. We felt like a step up to seven furlongs would help and he's been one of the consistent juveniles this season. Native Trail will be very hard to beat but Go Bears Go is underestimated.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Glounthaune
It's been a long time since he's run but he seems to be in good form and it's good to get him back out and get a bit of experience into him.

Saturday's race previews:

1.45 Newmarket: Charlie Appleby seeks flying start in the Zetland with promising Godolphin pair

2.20 Newmarket: 'We know more about him now' - can speedy Coroebus last home in Autumn Stakes?

3.15 York: O'Meara full of hope as Gulliver bids for treble tops in Coral Sprint Trophy

3.30 Chepstow: Can Nicholls extend record in first valuable handicap hurdle of season?

3.35 Newmarket: Six of the best for Mullins as he bids for fourth consecutive Cesarewitch

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