July Cup hero Oxted bids for back-to-back Abernant wins with Moore aboard

Bet365 Abernant Stakes (Group 3) | 6f | 3yo | ITV4/RTV

This is a one-horse race on ratings and the bookmakers agree as Oxted is not much bigger than 1-2 – and there's a form case to be made for him to be shorter.

The big question is whether last year's winner can be trusted to reproduce his best after flopping in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in February.

Actually, 'flopping' is probably a little bit unkind as although the dirt there is said to be kinder to European turf horses, it was still his first look at it and the race was dominated by those more used to the surface.

Oxted announced himself on the scene when winning this race upon the resumption of racing last June, but Roger Teal's stable star was still a relative outsider when taking the July Cup at odds of 12-1 just over a month later.

Oxted leads the July Cup field home uner Cieren Fallon, who is replaced in the Abernant by Ryan Moore after suffering an injury on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There was no fluke about the style of his win, though, and while he was only fifth after a wind operation in the Champions Sprint at Ascot when next seen, he was beaten only a length and the run was his first on very soft ground.

How he has recovered from the trip abroad is the key, and while sprinters returning from a similar part of the world (Dubai) to run in Britain in April have only an average record in the last ten years (5-33, 15 per cent), it is hard to argue the form claims of Oxted.

On official figures he has 11lb in hand of the next best in the field, while Topspeed makes it 10lb and RPRs 9lb. That's some edge.

It's likely that odds-on punters will be happy enough to get involved, and if there's a race for second it might be just as straightforward as the one for first.

Summerghand (nearest camera) beats Exalted Angel in the All-Weather Sprint Championships at LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

Summerghand is officially the next best in the race by only 1lb, but his recent head All-Weather Championship victim Exalted Angel hasn't run on turf since 2019 when he was rated just 78.

Summerghand, on the other hand, not only excels on turf but also thrives at Newmarket, where his form figures read 12222. He's race-fit and in the form of his life, so should be the one to give Oxted the most to think about.

Last year's third, Emaraaty Ana, is also fit after his Cammidge second, but looks likely to have a rival for the lead in Shine So Bright, who won the Free Handicap on this card two years ago from the front.

The latter has dropped the best part of a stone in the ratings since that three-year-old campaign, though, and still has plenty to prove at this trip.

Race analysis by Paul Kealy

What They Say

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Emaraaty Ana
He was in very good order at Doncaster, where he was just a bit fresh and did well to finish where he did. The ground should suit him so hopefully he will run well. He appeared to thrive over the winter and it looks like the wind operation worked at Doncaster.

Emaraaty Ana will be aiming for a first Group race victory sine the 2018 Gimcrack at Newmarket on ThursdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Karl Burke, trainer of Exalted Angel
He's improved physically and although he comes from a very speedy family, it's not necessarily very precocious. He's come through some early niggles and we can now train him properly. There's a lovely covering of grass and it's safe ground, but whether it will be to his advantage being that quick, I'm not sure.

Roger Teal, trainer of Oxted
We went very easy on him when he came back from Riyadh just to freshen him up, but we're delighted with him and hope for a good run.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Shine So Bright
He's race fit and he's been effective on this track when making the running. There are not a lot of options for him and I think he's still capable of being competitive in these kinds of races.

Jouska (left) and Rob Hornby on their way to success in the Listed Boadicea Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Alan Crowhurst

David O'Meara, trainer of Summerghand
He won nicely at Lingfield last time out and seems to like Newmarket – he has won on the July course and been second on the Rowley Mile a few times. He seems in good form and he is fit from the all-weather. This could be the time of year to take on Oxted.

Henry Candy, trainer of Jouska
I expect her to be totally outpaced early on this fast ground but hopefully she'll finish up the hill like she usually does. I'm just trying to get some sort of idea what kind of races we should be running her in and I'd be quite happy if she finished fourth. She has strengthened and is quite a big, imposing filly now.

John Ryan, trainer of Marly
Her first two starts for us have been pleasing and she's run up to Listed class in France. We felt this was a nice opportunity to try her on faster ground than she's been used to in her races. She's shown she is capable on it at home and it's time to see if that translates to the racecourse.

Reporting by Scott Burton

Thursday's race previews:

3.35 Newmarket: Godolphin v Coolmore as top prospects clash in Craven

2.05 Cheltenham: Here's the latest Irish raider trying to exploit a failing handicap system

2.40 Cheltenham: Newbury winner Bourbon Beauty 'in great order' with conditions to suit

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