Classic favourites poised to clash in mouthwatering Dewhurst

Ante-post Derby favourite Darkness Falls is all set for a clash with 2000 Guineas market leader Desert Castle in a mouthwatering Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Camelot colt leapt to the head of the betting for the premier Classic when winning the new Group One, the Golden Fleece Stakes, at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Festival weekend by over four lengths.

However, that was over nine furlongs and he will be dropping a quarter of a mile in trip this weekend.

Speaking at Killarney on Monday, Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: “Darkness Falls has come out of Leopardstown very well and his work has been good since.

“The Dewhurst has been on the agenda for him for some time. At the moment the plan is to go to Newmarket with him.

“What he did in his maiden win, he backed up in a Group One afterwards so he is in the ‘could be anything’ category. The Dewhurst is the logical step to see if he can then start off in the Guineas route next year.”

Stablemates Great Barrier Reef, who lost his unbeaten record last time out, and Raging Bull were also confirmed but the latter has other options.

“Great Barrier Reef is also in good form since the last day and has had a few entries since then. The plan is now to go up in trip with him (to seven furlongs) in the Dewhurst,” said Armstrong.

“Raging Bull won his maiden at the Curragh on ground which wasn’t suitable to him, but had been going nicely throughout the summer. There is a possibility he might also line up in Newmarket, but he is also entered in the Group Three Autumn Stakes over a mile.”

Desert Castle will aim to confirm the huge impression he made at Doncaster as one of seven possible Dewhurst runners.

Trainer Charlie Appleby has a good recent record in the race having won it three times since 2019, courtesy of Pinatubo, Native Trail and most recently two years ago with Shadow Of Light.

A full-brother to two Group One winners, the son of Frankel oozed class in beating Sergei Diaghilev by three lengths in the Champagne Stakes at the Leger meeting and sets a tall standard.

Appleby has also left in the Dubawi colt Jassas, winner of two of his three outings to date.

Roger Varian’s Rock Montreal, second to Forbidden Fire at Doncaster, and Andrew Balding’s Gentle Hurricane could also run.

Last year’s winner Beylerbeyi is ante-post favourite to follow up in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap, for which 42 remain engaged.

Ian Williams’ six-year-old finished second to subsequent Prix du Cadran winner Caballo De Mar in the Doncaster Cup last time out.