Saturday 10 October · GB · Flat · Class 1
1:15 Newmarket
Modern Games Darley Stakes (Group 3)
1m1f · Going: Good · 5 runners · £53,874
Verdict — our pick: Boiling Point
Boiling Point heads our ratings on 118, three pounds ahead of Haatem on 115, and that narrow edge is enough to make him our selection in a tight five-runner Class 1 over nine furlongs at Newmarket. Haatem is the chief danger and sits only a few pounds adrift, while The Lost King on 112 is capable of getting involved if the pace suits. High Stock and Humidity, both on 109, look to have more to find, though the margins here are slim and nothing can be dismissed lightly. Boiling Point gets the verdict, but only narrowly.
Runners & best odds
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1. Haatem(5)Form: 6-7051
J: Ryan Moore · T: Richard Hannon · 5yo · 9st 8lb · OR 110 · trainer 8% (14d)
By Phoenix Of Spain out of Hard Walnut (Cape Cross) · Owner: Wathnan Racing
Haatem arrives a last-time-out winner, and his 115 rating ranks him second of five, with experience of both today's trip and going. The main risk is a patchy run before that win, with a fifth, a seventh and a sixth in the earlier starts, and he carries 134 lb from draw 5.
2. Boiling Point(3)Form: 134262
J: Clifford Lee · T: K. R. Burke · 5yo · 9st 5lb · OR 110 · trainer 14% (14d)
By Too Darn Hot out of Lady Momoka (Shamardal) · Owner: Exors Of The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid
Boiling Point arrives in sound form, runner-up last time out and in the first three in four of his last six, with a win six starts back, and he's fresh enough after 17 days. He has run over today's trip and going, and our rating makes him the one to beat, though 131 lb is a sizeable burden.
3. High Stock(4)Form: 44-755
J: Rob Hornby · T: Andrew Balding · 4yo · 9st 5lb · OR 104 · trainer 10% (14d)
By Dubawi out of Proserpine (Hat Trick) · Owner: Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum
High Stock arrives fit after 21 days off, with a pair of fifths last time out and two starts back, and has run over today's trip and going before; our rating of 109 sits above his official 104. The risk is that he's yet to win in his last five starts and carries 131 lb from draw 4.
4. The Lost King(2)Form: 401122
J: William Buick · T: Andrew Balding · 4yo · 9st 5lb · OR 110 · trainer 10% (14d)
By Kingman out of King Power (Frankel) · Owner: King Power Racing Co Ltd
The Lost King arrives in cracking form, a second last time out and again two starts back, after winning three and four starts back, and he's fresh enough at 15 days since his last run. He has run over today's trip and going, but carrying 131 lb from draw 2 is the main risk.
5. Humidity(1)Form: 11722-
J: James Doyle · T: Andrew Balding · 3yo · 9st 1lb · OR 111 · trainer 10% (14d)
By Ulysses out of Sultry (Pivotal) · Owner: Wathnan Racing
Humidity is hard to fancy after 378 days off the track and ranking last of five on our figures, though he finished second on each of his last two outings, and he has run over today's trip and going before. He carries 127 lb from stall one.
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