AS JUMPING fans cling to the dying embers of their season up at Ayr, the proper racing fans are gearing up to Classic action on the Rowley mile with another day of trials at Newbury.  The Craven and Nell Gwyn Stakes run at Newmarket during the past week were fascinating races and the equivalent races on Saturday seem equal to them in terms of strength in depth.  The unbeaten Muthabara has been subject of good reports and has been backed down into favouritism for the 1,000 Guineas and puts her credentials on the line in the Fred Darling.  However, the colts’ race looks slightly more interesting.  Confront, like Muthabara, has been well talked up and looks to be Sir Michael Stoute’s only Guineas runner.  Beacon Lodge, who won the Horris Hill over course and distance, has had his form boosted with Stimulation’s narrow victory in the Free Handicap at Newmarket on Wednesday.  Sir Gerry looked a decent sprinter last season and the prospects of soft ground and seven furlongs don’t inspire much confidence.  The slow ground could also cause problems for Paco Boy but he may well be able to over come this.  He won a Listed race on his most recent start, showing a very fetching turn of foot, and had signed off last season with a victory over the three-year-olds in a Newmarket Conditions event.  The form of his Lingfield Listed win was boosted by the victory of Tasdeer at Doncaster and coupled with the outstanding early season form of Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes he can take this event even if he proves not to be the best individual in it.  Before the youngsters take the stage an old favourite in Sergeant Cecil makes his seasonal reappearance in the Group Three John Porter Stakes.  Unfortunately he’s been found wanting the last two seasons and I expect to make it a third behind the up-and-coming Royal and Regal.  The son of Sadler’s Wells was trained in France by Andre Fabre last year but still made a successful raid on the Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket.  He’s now trained by Michael Jarvis and staying races look to be more his thing in the long run.  He was mentioned as a potential Derby horse last season so he’s no plodder and could outclass his opponents even giving weight all round.

Selections – 2.15 Newbury, 1 Royal and Regal

                                                   4.00 Newbury, 4 Paco Boy