Darley Dewhurst Stakes

The Darley Dewhurst Stakes is as fascinating a race we have seen all season in my opinion and is, without conceivable doubt, the best two-year-old contest of the campaign given that Dutch Art didn't have a great deal to beat in the Middle Park. For this seven-furlong crackerjack of an event brings together Ireland's top two juveniles once again, Teofilo and Holy Roman Emperor, and it's unsurprising that this duo dominate the betting at top prices of 7/4 and 9/4 respectively. It could be argued that the 7/4 offered about Teofilo is good value since it's hard to see why Holy Roman Emperor should reverse the form from the National Stakes at The Curragh last month when Jim Bolger's charge scored with a bit to spare. Subsequently, Holy Roman Emperor demonstrated an impressive turn of foot to land the Grand Criterium at Longchamp on Arc day and, if the ground dries out on the Rolwey Mile, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt looks sure to go well. But one suspects that it'll be no quicker than good to soft and, on what is a stiff track with an uphill finish, the strong galloping Teofilo should again have his measure. Whatever happens in this Group 1 heat, both colts will go into the winter with bright prospects of Classic glory next season. Again, I see Teofilo as the more promising, as he is a rangy individual and should fill from two to three, whereas Holy Roman Emperor looks the finished article already and doesn't appear to have the same level of scope as Teofilo. Personally, I'm inclined to take them both on at the prices. I could be completely wrong and this could, as the betting suggests, turn into a duel. But it would be unwise to write off the dual Group 2 winner Strategic Prince, who is the first of two recommended bets at 9/1 with Ladbrokes. Paul Cole, who sent out Generous to win this in 1990, has put Strategic Prince away for this race following his victory in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in August when beating Holy Roman Emperor's stablemate Duke Of Marmalade. This formula worked for Sir Percy last year - he too won the Vintage and then went straight for the Dewhurst, which he duly landed. The son of Dansili is effective on any ground and is a hardy sort who won't shirk the issue when the chips are down. Eddie Ahern is likely to keep the selection close to the pace and will probably launch his challenge earlier than the big two. If, as expected, he gets first run on Teofilo and Holy Roman Emperor, I wouldn't be so sure that they will get by him. Another well worth a small saver is Barry Hills' Prime Defender. The Lambourn handler knows exactly what it takes to win this having sent out two Dewhurst winners in the last decade - Distant Music in 1999 and In Command in '96 - and this 14,000gn purchase by Bertolini could be a surprise package at 33/1 with Paddy Power. This price does indeed look generous following Prime Defender's excellent effort in the valuable St Leger Yearling Stakes at York where he was an unlucky-in-running third behind Doctor Brown and Cockney Rebel, both of whom have subsequently gone close in Group 2s. On the face of it, it's a big ask for Prime Defender to come and win a truly cracking renewal of the top juvenile race in the UK, but his ability to handle plenty of give in the ground is proven, the stable are in form and he's open to any amount of improvement. He may not win, but at 33/1 he looks a solid each-way punt. Halicarnassus and Vital Equine, who was third to Holy Roman Emperor in the Grand Criterium, both have each-way prospects too, along with the once-raced Sir Michael Stoute challenger Adagio. But Hamoody's form isn't working out too well and while he has plenty of potential, I'd be surprised if he were to play a leading role in this. Verdict - 1pt Strategic Prince @ 9/1 (Ladbrokes)0.50pts e/w Prime Defender @ 33/1 (Paddy Power)