Newmarket Tips: Tom Collins pinpoints three horses you shouldn't miss on Saturday

2.25 Newmarket, 1m Group 3 Autumn Stakes

Kingston Hill (2013), Ghaiyyath (2017) and Coroebus (2021) top the recent roll of honour for the Group 3 Autumn Stakes. Will we see another exceptional talent enter the winner’s enclosure this year? I hope so.

The horse in question is Epictetus, who appears to be one of the standout two-year-olds in John and Thady Gosden’s stable at the moment. This son of Kingman reportedly wasn’t fully wound-up for his debut at Newmarket, which was reflected in his 11-1 starting price, but his ability shone through and he ended up collecting first prize under Martin Harley.

Numerous subsequent form boosts have shone the light on Epictetus since. Runner-up Leadman filled the same berth on his next outing at Newbury and earned a RPR of 93; third home Desert Order won the perennially tricky Convivial Maiden and is rated 92, while Flying Honours, who finished fourth, has scored twice since and is favourite for the Group 3 Zetland Stakes earlier on Saturday’s card. 

Add to that recent successes for both the fifth and sixth and you can make a solid case for that maiden ranking among the best this season. Winner Epictetus now takes a giant step up in class, but he is sure to improve from his first to second start and will take a lot of beating against this group.

Selection: Epictetus @ 3.8

3.00 Newmarket, 7f Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes

Many believe that Nostrum is one of the best juveniles we have seen this year and it would be hard to disagree. Sir Michael Stoute’s two-year-olds generally improve for each start and the fact that he is unbeaten in two efforts signifies his talent. 

Not only is he yet to taste defeat, but Nostrum has also shown a high level of tactical versatility and speed - characteristics that are only common in high-class two-year-olds. His recent beating of Holloway Boy in the Somerville Stakes is up there with the best form on offer and he has winning course-and-distance form to his name.

The only negative is his price, and for that reason I have to look elsewhere for the value play. That comes in the form of Aesop’s Fables, who impressed on his first two outings (once over this trip) in Ireland before being swamped when a short-priced favourite in the Group 1 National Stakes.

I think he was ridden a touch too aggressively that day (seven furlongs might be his limit at the moment), while he didn’t seem to relish the soft ground. Although No Nay Never’s progeny strike at 26% on soft, they generally prefer quicker conditions. As such, he can bounce back and provide Nostrum with the most to do.

Selection: Aesop’s Fables @ 8

3.40 Newmarket, 2m2f Cesarewitch Handicap

Although this year’s edition of the Cesarewitch has attracted 23 runners, it might revolve just two for win purposes. 

Nicky Henderson won this race 12 months ago with Buzz and looks to repeat the feat with Ahorsewithnoname, who could prove well handicapped off a mark of 96 and gets the assistance of leading rider Ryan Moore. She has been campaigned with this race in mind but has been absent for 149 days and will now face her sternest test to date.

I much prefer the claims of Irish entrant Run For Oscar, who is trained by one of the shrewdest around in Charles Byrnes. This has undoubtedly been the plan for months - if not years - and confidence is boosted by the booking of leading rider David Egan.

Run For Oscar is rated 144 over hurdles but gets in off a flat mark of just 90, which means he will have just 8st 11lb on his back. He showcased his stamina reserves when successful in a Sunday Series contest at Haydock back in August - a race that was used to earn him a rise in the handicap and allow him to compete here - and he’s been freshened up since.

I will be surprised if he doesn’t go off a relatively short-priced favourite in what looks like a weak edition of the Cesarewitch, and hopefully he can go one better than my fancy, Burning Victory, managed in last year’s renewal.

Selection: Run For Oscar @ 5.7

Newmarket trades

Epictetus (2.25 Newmarket) @ 3.8
Aesop’s Fables (3.00 Newmarket) @ 8
Run For Oscar (3.40 Newmarket) @ 5.7