Al Wathba (18:20 Kempton — EBF Novice Stakes, Class 3, 1m AW)
A two-year-old bay colt by Wootton Bassett, owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby — in outstanding form at 42% over the last fortnight — and handed tonight to William Buick in a significant upgrade from his last run. Al Wathba has placed on both starts, finishing second at Newmarket on debut behind Haffner — a colt who has since run well in Group company — before going close again at Leicester on 9 August, beaten just three quarters of a length at 2/11 by Jimtrott.
The key tonight is the step up from 7f to a mile, which connections believe will bring further improvement on his breeding, and a switch to Polytrack at Kempton where Appleby’s juveniles regularly show their best. The future entries — Champagne Stakes, National Stakes, Royal Lodge, Dewhurst — tell you this is a colt Godolphin hold in the very highest regard.
Verdict: Back to win — Appleby in top form, Buick upgrade, step up in trip the key, and a colt with the entries of a potential Classic contender. 🏇
