Rick Doyle

Newmarket

• 13:15

  Fast TrackE/W

  FAST TRACK looks a serious contender, with her natural speed and growing experience giving her every chance of making the breakthrough at Group level. Andrew Balding's filly produced arguably the best performance of her career in the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster last time, finishing fourth and beaten just a length despite being taken on for the lead. She was forced to work hard from an early stage but kept battling all the way to the line, splitting Flann Sunna and In The Black, who both reoppose here. That was an encouraging effort in a race where her early exertions could easily have caught up with her sooner. She has always possessed plenty of speed, but there are signs she is becoming tougher and more professional with racing, and another step forward would put her right in the picture. The switch to Newmarket's Rowley Mile could also work in her favour. The undulating five furlongs should give Oisin Murphy the opportunity to use her natural pace, and the champion jockey is particularly effective when allowed to dictate matters from the front. Experience is another advantage. Fast Track has already raced seven times and arrives with considerably more knowledge of competitive sprinting than several of her rivals. Previous winners of this race, including Good Vibes, Winter Power and Twilight Jet, had similarly busy juvenile campaigns before landing the prize. There are dangers in an open renewal, but Fast Track has already shown she can compete with some of today's leading contenders and her Doncaster effort suggests she is still improving. With Murphy back aboard, proven speed over five furlongs and a recent Group 2 performance that reads well in the context of this race, Fast Track looks capable of making a bold bid and taking another step forward.

  Notes
  Placed @ 15/2+£0.25
• 14:25

  Witness StandE/W

  WITNESS STAND looks a lively outsider in the Challenge Stakes, and with the possibility of getting an uncontested lead, he could take some catching at a double figure price. Richard Newland and Jamie Insole's five year old has been knocking on the door in good company this season without quite getting his head in front. He went down by only a neck to Ten Bob Tony at Epsom before producing another cracking effort when third behind Lake Forest in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, finishing just a length behind the winner. That Goodwood performance is particularly encouraging because Holguin, who reopposes here, finished behind him, and it shows Witness Stand is more than capable of holding his own at this level. There was also plenty to like about his latest second at Redcar. He was taken on for the lead but kept finding when challenged, eventually going down by just a neck to Sondad in Listed company. That was only six days ago, but it suggested he remains in good heart despite a frustrating run of results. The tactical situation could make all the difference today. Witness Stand is a natural front runner and there doesn't appear to be another confirmed pace setter among his five opponents. If Kieran Shoemark can get him settled in front without having to use too much energy, he could dictate the race rather than being forced into another battle for the lead. Shoemark knows him well and has already partnered him to several excellent performances. The return to Newmarket's straight seven furlongs should also suit, while he has shown he can handle a variety of ground conditions. Flora Of Bermuda and Time To Turn are obvious dangers, but neither is guaranteed to get the race run to suit. Witness Stand has the tactical speed to make his own luck and the ability to compete with these on his best form. He hasn't won since Goodwood in July 2025, which is reflected in his price, but his recent efforts suggest another victory may not be far away. With a potentially favourable pace scenario and Shoemark back aboard, Witness Stand looks capable of making a bold bid from the front.

  Notes
  Lost @ 10/1-£1.00