Big Race Preview · Saturday, 19 September 2026
Mill Reef Stakes
Eight promising juveniles go to post for the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, with unbeaten Gimcrack winner Arapaho Gold setting the standard. His 3lb penalty gives the opposition some hope, however, with Jolivette and Nabati looking the most obvious threats.
Stephen Welch
Racing Tipster
Stephen WelchDubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) (In Honour Of Ian Balding)2:12 NEWBURY
2:12 Newbury
Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) (In Honour Of Ian Balding)
6f | Class 1 | Good To Firm
Mill Reef Stakes Runner Guide
Arapaho Gold 5/4
Connor Beasley/Michael Dods
Live price from BetTom
Four races and four wins for ARAPAHO GOLD, who has continued to improve as the level of opposition has increased. After winning his first two starts at Thirsk, Michael Dods' gelding stepped up to Listed company over this course and distance and showed a good attitude to hold off Nabati by a neck. He improved again when winning the Group 2 Gimcrack at York, where he travelled strongly and battled well when challenged. That is the strongest form on offer and his Racing Post Rating of 118 is the highest in the field. The one complication is the 3lb penalty for his Gimcrack success, but he has already beaten several of today's rivals and remains the one they all have to catch. Verdict: Sets the standard on form and can maintain his unbeaten record.
Adaay of Scarlett 20/1
Rossa Ryan/Hugo Palmer
Live price from Bet365
ADAAY OF SCARLETT has plenty of experience at this level, having finished runner up in four consecutive Pattern races earlier in the season. His second in the Coventry at Royal Ascot was a particularly good effort and he subsequently filled the same position in the July and Richmond Stakes. Things have not gone nearly as well on his last two starts, finishing fifth behind Arapaho Gold in the Gimcrack before disappointing at Kempton. His best form would certainly put him in the picture and an RPR of 114 demonstrates what he is capable of. The question is whether he can rediscover it after two below par performances. Verdict: More than capable at his best, but needs to bounce back from two disappointing runs.
Cut A Dash 25/1
Jamie Spencer/Richard Hannon
Live price from 7Bet
CUT A DASH looked a potentially smart juvenile when making a winning debut at York before running an excellent fourth of 21 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. He has not managed to build on that performance, finishing well beaten in the Richmond at Goodwood before showing more when fourth at Deauville. Richard Hannon remains positive about him and the return to a flat six furlongs could suit, while Jamie Spencer takes over in the saddle. His Coventry run gives him a chance, but he needs to get back to that level. Verdict: Has the ability to get involved, although his last two performances leave him with something to prove.
Matteo 50/1
Shane Gray/Kevin Ryan
Live price from Bet365
MATTEO made a perfect start to his career with two victories before being asked a much tougher question in the Gimcrack at York. He finished seventh behind Arapaho Gold that day and did not appear to get home particularly strongly over six furlongs on softer ground. Returning to a sounder surface may help, with his earlier wins coming under quicker conditions. Even allowing for that excuse, he has plenty to find with the leading contenders on ratings and needs a significant step forward. Verdict: Better ground offers some hope, but considerable improvement is required at this level.
Mr Macartney 80/1
Ray Dawson/Oli Rix
Live price from Bet365
MR MACARTNEY has already been tested in some strong company but has yet to make a serious impact at this sort of level. He finished seventh in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot before coming home sixth in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. That was arguably one of his better performances, but it still leaves him with plenty to find against the strongest runners here. He has since been gelded and now races in a visor, so connections are trying something different in search of improvement. Verdict: Has experience in good company but needs to find another level to trouble the principals.
Nabati 5/2
William Buick/Charlie Appleby
Live price from 10 Bet
NABATI is arguably the biggest danger to Arapaho Gold, not least because we already know there is not much between them. Charlie Appleby's colt won on debut before meeting Arapaho Gold over this course and distance in July. The pair pulled clear and only a neck separated them at the finish when racing at level weights. He subsequently won comfortably at Newmarket before finishing third over seven furlongs at Doncaster just eight days ago. Dropping back to six furlongs looks a positive move and, crucially, he now receives 3lb from Arapaho Gold. The quick turnaround is the slight question, but the revised terms from their previous Newbury meeting make him a major player. Verdict: Only a neck behind Arapaho Gold here previously and is 3lb better off this time. A serious threat.
Revels 28/1
Callum Rodriguez/K. R. Burke
Live price from Bet365
REVELS has won two of his four starts and produced a useful performance when coming from off the pace to land a competitive nursery at Goodwood over six furlongs. His subsequent effort in the Gimcrack was disappointing, although softer conditions may not have been ideal. He now needs to prove he can make the jump from useful handicap form into a Group 2. There may still be more improvement to come from Karl Burke's colt, but his current level of form leaves him with plenty to find with the principals. Verdict: May be better than his latest result suggests, but this demands considerably more.
Jolivette 9/2
Colin Keane/Andrew Balding
Live price from Bet365
JOLIVETTE brings an interesting alternative line of form into the race and receives a useful 6lb from Arapaho Gold. She created a good impression when winning on debut at Newmarket before being pitched into much stronger company. Things did not quite go to plan in the Albany or Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, but she produced a much better performance when third in the Lowther at York last time. Importantly, she finished clear of the remainder that day and recorded an RPR of 115, putting her close to the standard required to win this. As the only filly in the field, she receives weight from all seven colts and geldings and looks capable of playing a major part if reproducing her York performance. Verdict: Her Lowther third was a big step forward and the 6lb she receives from Arapaho Gold makes her a major contender.
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The verdict
This is a competitive Mill Reef despite the presence of unbeaten Gimcrack winner Arapaho Gold, with the penalties and allowances giving the race a much more open look than the bare form might suggest. Arapaho Gold has done nothing wrong in four starts and sets the standard, but he must concede 3lb to Nabati and 6lb to Jolivette, which brings both firmly into the equation.
Nabati is particularly interesting given he was beaten only a neck by Arapaho Gold over this course and distance in July when the pair met at level weights. He is better off at the weights this time and the return to six furlongs should suit after his third over seven at Doncaster. Jolivette also commands respect after producing her best performance when third in the Lowther and receives a sizeable weight allowance from the favourite.
Adaay Of Scarlett and Cut A Dash have both shown form good enough to get involved, particularly earlier in the season, although they need to bounce back from more recent efforts. The remaining runners have improvement to find on the figures and will need career best performances to trouble the principals.
Arapaho Gold therefore remains the one to beat. His unbeaten record, proven course and distance form and Gimcrack success give him the strongest credentials, although this looks a proper test of that record rather than a straightforward opportunity to extend it. ARAPAHO GOLD gets the five star rating, with Nabati and Jolivette rated the main dangers.
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