A - Z Runners HORSE RACING FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Mill Reef Stakes Preview: Zaat's the way to do it

Nic Doggett previews the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, and picks out his best bet.

Since Masamah finished second-last in the 2008 renewal, horses owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum with a Timeform ‘p’ have fared well in the Mill Reef Stakes, with Awzaan finishing first in 2009 and Taayel finishing third three years later. Saturday’s renewal could feature another such horse in the shape of the 107p-rated Enjazaat, an attractive colt who has - as his pedigree would suggest (first foal of a 6f winner, who in turn is out of the useful 5f/6f winner Miss Anabaa) – looked all about speed in his four races to date. He won a minor event at Yarmouth (by six lengths) in June and, after still looking to be learning the job when sixth to Cardsharp in the July Stakes, improved again after a seven-week break when winning a seven-runner listed race at Ripon last time by two lengths from subsequent winner Tip Two Win. Enjazaat showed a high cruising speed and a sharp turn of foot there, and he's earnt another crack at a pattern race, which he should be more ready for now. Cardsharp is more exposed, but bounced back from a below-par run in the Richmond at Goodwood when third to Sands of Mali in the Gimcrack at York. His 3-lb penalty makes life tough, though.

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for Saturday’s contest are topped, perhaps unsurprisingly, by Invincible Army. Since winning his maiden at Newmarket (by five lengths) in June, he has contested pattern races, finishing two and a half lengths fourth in the July Stakes, one and a quarter lengths second to Havana Grey in the Molecomb at Goodwood, before filling the same position in the Gimcrack. He improved again when finally getting a deserved victory in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton last time by one and a half lengths from Corinthia Knight, soon in command on his all-weather debut after taking the lead inside the final furlong. Invincible Army is another strong traveller, though whether he will carry this improvement over to turf remains to be seen, perhaps a programme aimed at all-weather championships day at Lingfield a better one for him.