'She would have a decent chance in a competitive race' - analysis and quotes for a tricky World Trophy sprint

Even though it takes place on the same day as the Ayr Gold Cup, the World Trophy is a clear bridge between top sprint handicaps and Group races. This year's field adheres to that.

It contains among its 11 runners the winners of last year's Portland (Annaf) and Ayr Gold Cup (Significantly). Six of the other nine have put up their best performance of 2024 in a handicap, according to Racing Post Ratings.

Annaf is the class angle in the race. After winning the Portland, he took the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot and landed a bumper payday in February's Saudi Turf Sprint. He ran for the first time since then in the Sprint Cup, in which he beat one horse home. It is therefore hard to gauge his current form.

He doesn't have a big buffer on the ratings, either. Seven horses are within 5lb of him on RPRs and plenty of those are known to be in form. Albasheer, Democracy Dilemma and Desperate Hero all ran right up to form last time. Adaay In Devon is also admirably consistent and can be forgiven a minor misstep at Pontefract last time.

Democracy Dilemma is expected to lead, as he would in just about any race in the calendar. Newbury is not as friendly a track as York or Epsom to rockets like him. Beverley, where he won last time, would not be either, but he was given tons of rope that day in the expectation he would come back to them.

Desperate Hero is more interesting. He led his group in the Flying Five at the Curragh last week, shaping quite a bit better than his eventual sixth. A flatter track is likely to suit. 

As long as David Probert is happy to follow Democracy Dilemma in the early stages, this race could pan out ideally for a horse who has been threatening to win a Group race since he smashed American Affair in a Hamilton handicap in June.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Quick turnaround

The consistent No Half Measures is appearing only six days after finishing sixth in the Group 3 Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp last weekend, but trainer Richard Hughes is hopeful she can handle the schedule.

She had previously won on good-to-soft ground on another French mission to Deauville in August, when she won a Listed race, so will not mind if they get further rain in Berkshire before post time.

Hughes said: "It's a quick turnaround but we ran her back quickly from Sandown into Royal Ascot, where it didn't bother her, and she ran third in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes."

He added: "She was drawn badly in France and still managed to be beaten just three parts of a length. She won't mind if they get more rain as she goes on anything and she would have a decent chance in a competitive race."

What they say

George Scott, trainer of Seven Questions
He likes the track, having run well there last year, but we are on something of a comeback mission as he's been a bit underwhelming of late. We just want to see a step back in the right direction with a view to an autumn campaign.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Annaf
He was unlucky at Haydock. He got badly hampered during that race. He has been training well and has come on for that run. He should run well at Newbury.

Robert Cowell, trainer of Democracy Dilemma
He has to go into this company now as he won a Listed race at Beverley last time and not surprisingly it's competitive. He won't mind if it rains further there as he’s versatile as regards ground.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Equilateral
We need a bit of luck with the weather. He wouldn't want soft ground. He’s in good form at home and it's the right race for him if it stays dry.

Rod Millman, trainer of Adaay In Devon
Any rain would be in her favour as she likes to get her toe in the ground. She's had a break since her last race but is consistent and I'm sure she'll give another good account.

William Haggas, trainer of Relief Rally
She won't mind any ease in the ground and goes there in very good form. Providing the drop back to five furlongs is not too short for her she should run a good race.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read the rest of our Saturday previews:

2.25 Ayr: Can flying filly Alfa Kellenic complete a six-timer? Analysis and quotes for Silver Cup cavalry charge  

3.00 Ayr: 'She's very interesting back against her own sex and up to six furlongs' - analysis and quotes for the Group 3 Firth of Clyde  

3.15 Newbury: 'We'll find out how good he is' - can impressive debut winner Powerful Glory follow up in the Mill Reef?  

3.35 Ayr: 'He looks an ideal type for this sort of race' - trainers on their Ayr Gold Cup contenders  

4.01 Gowran Park: 'The pick of her form would make her hard to beat' - Joseph O'Brien runs six in bid for repeat success  

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