A quality card of seven races from Newbury on Friday will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, headlined by a clash between two Godolphin runners in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup.
Spy Chief and Catullus are set to do battle in what promises to be a competitive renewal of the feature race. Spy Chief, ridden by Ryan Moore, arrives with only a Yarmouth novice victory on his record. However, his penultimate outing showed genuine promise when he chased home Almeraq at Salisbury, a horse who has since developed into a dual Group One winner. Should he reproduce that level of performance, he will be firmly in contention.
Catullus, trained by Charlie Appleby, represents a progressive type in the field. The runner demonstrated a career-best effort when finishing third at Goodwood in July and may benefit from stepping back down to seven furlongs for this assignment.
Charlie Hills' Elarak merits close attention in the race, while Northern Champion, who secured victory at this level in July, cannot be overlooked.
According to At The Races, the Dubai Duty Free Cup is a Listed 7f race with 10 declared runners, with Catullus emerging as the likely market leader ahead of Spy Chief.
Conditions Stakes showcases promising two-year-olds
Earlier on the card, the Haynes Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes presents a superb renewal featuring debut winners among a competitive field. The 46th edition of this long-standing race is restricted to two-year-olds over 1 mile with 10 runners declared.
Algaihabane, fielded by John and Thady Gosden, built upon his debut effort to win a Sandown maiden by a neck. William Buick was effusive in his praise following that success, though Ryan Moore takes the ride here.
Bin Jahwar, trained by Charlie Appleby, made a winning start at Newmarket under Buick, justifying short odds with an impressive eight and a half length victory. This assignment will present a sterner test, but he appears potentially useful.
King High, representing the Owen Burrows stable and wearing Valmont colours, won a maiden over course and distance recently, defeating Quicken Away, who has since gone on to win at Goodwood.
Impasto caught the eye on debut at Ascot and could improve significantly, while Flying Pirate and Apulia Bay, both recent winners, warrant consideration.
Forever Young headlines Belmont Park return
Across the Atlantic, the newly reopened Belmont Park stages the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Friday, with last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner Forever Young set to make his winning return to the United States. With Sovereignty declared a non-runner, the stage appears set for Forever Young to dominate proceedings.
Forever Young defeated Nysos on his reappearance in the Saudi Cup before suffering defeat to Magnitude in the Dubai World Cup. Should he have retained his peak form, he represents the class act of the field. According to NYRA, the race is being positioned as the centerpiece of the track's return to racing and functions as a Win and You're In qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Bill Mott's Baeza disappointed when beaten by six lengths in the Whitney Stakes last time out. Should he have rediscovered his best form, he could mount a challenge to the market favourite. Phileas Fogg recorded a stunning 10-length success in Grade 2 company on his most recent outing and could thrive when stepping up in class.
The Grade 1 race is worth $1 million and features seven runners, with Forever Young drawn widest in post 7. The race is scheduled as the feature on a nine-race card at 4:14 p.m. ET on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Newton Abbot jumps action
Service Minimum and Kom Tu Voudras headline a field of seven runners at Newton Abbot for the Colin Willcocks Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The Skelton team continues to dominate the summer jumps scene, and Service Minimum returns from a break with excellent prospects. A beaten favourite when last seen disappointing at Uttoxeter, he is expected to spring back to form and continue his upward trajectory.
Kom Tu Voudras represents an exciting prospect for Faye Bramley and Harry Cobden. The JP McManus-owned six-year-old impressed when scoring at Fontwell and deserves an opportunity at this higher grade.
The Jamie Snowden-trained Rebel Tribesman merits consideration. Having finished in the first two on all five hurdling starts, he must be feared despite a 4lbs rise for his recent Stratford victory.
Remaining races on the card
Sorrengail and Sweetwonderfulyou feature among a five-runner field for the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes. Quadrilateral won this race before going on to capture the Fillies' Mile in 2019.
Ed Walker has enjoyed considerable success in Newbury's opening Kennet Valley Syndicates Nick Robinson EBF Maiden Stakes and saddles Solo Quest on Friday. Eve Johnson Houghton's War Chest ran a decent race in third on debut and represents the pick of those with previous experience.
Wolverhampton hosts a nine-race evening card from 4.02pm, with all races broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
