Darley Dewhurst Stakes: guide and predicted finishing order

Several leading contenders for the 2000 Guineas will clash in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday and it will be no surprise if we have a new ante-post favourite for the first Classic of next year by Saturday evening.

The absence of Sakheer, who had been supplemented for £35,000, is a pity but the showpiece still has a glow about it.

Isaac Shelby, Naval Power and Nostrum all put their unbeaten records on the line, but it is Chaldean, seeking a fourth successive win, who travels to Headquarters with the highest official rating. Here’s a guide to the seven runners.

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Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Official Rating: 111. Odds: 13-2

Looked a good prospect in winning his first two races, four months apart after a setback in-between, especially when landing the Group Two Futurity Stakes over 7f at The Curragh in August. Fluffed his lines when fourth in the National Stakes over the same course and distance last time, when possibly unsuited by the deep ground. Will have no excuses on that score this time and seeks to provide O’Brien with an eighth win in this, with two of his past three victors going onto glory in the 2000 Guineas.

Trainer: Andrew Balding. Official Rating: 115. Odds: 4-1.

The Frankel colt has shown chunks of improvement with each of his four races, landing the Champagne Stakes last time after a narrow but decisive success in the Acomb. He looks to have all the tools to again run well – temperament, ability, attitude and experience – and the handicapper reckons he has between 3lb and 11lb n hand of his rivals, albeit he has had more opportunity to express himself. Frankie Dettori partnered him last time and resumes the partnership. He’s struck on Too Darn Hot and St Mark’s Basilica in recent renewals.

Trainer: Brian Meehan. Official Rating: 104. Odds: 12-1.

The flashy chestnut has brought the Sangster silks back into focus and he arrives here with fresh legs, having had a three-month break since his battling head defeat of Victory Dance in the Group Two Superlative Stakes on the July Course, which came after a taking maiden success at Newbury. Others in this line-up will have a bit going for them physically but, perhaps more significant, Victory Dance was put firmly in his place by Nostrum on his most recent start. More of that horse below.

Trainer: Charlie Fellowes. Official Rating: 111. Odds: 25-1.

Upped his game when landing the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in July, when pouncing on Holloway Boy in the closing stages. Went off second favourite for the National Stakes at The Curragh on the strength of that but he was keen and, with the mud flying, he dropped away and finished last. It’s easy enough to give him a pass for that but he needs to bounce back and, using Holloway Boy a yardstick, he has something to find with Nostrum, not least as that rival is open to greater improvement.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Official Rating: 110. Odds: 7-2.

Four runs have yielded four wins, and Sheikh Mohammed could do with winning his own prize-money after spending fortunes on yearlings at Tattersalls this week. Naval Power has looked something of a work in progress through the year and it’s probably no coincidence that, unlike his rivals, he’s been steered away from Group company. He was workmanlike when scoring over a mile at Haydock last time but had previously not looked short of speed when winning impressively in a slick time over 7f at Ascot. He’s ready for this challenge.

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute. Official Rating: 112. Odds: 6-4.

Thirty-six years after his previous (and only) Dewhurst success, Sir Michael Stoute (just plain Michael Stoute then) has another live Dewhurst player on his hands in Nostrum. Ajdal went on to run in the Derby before winning the July Cup on his next start, but there surely will not be such swings in distance for Nostrum. This big, good-looking son of Kingman made a good impression when an emphatic winner on his debut at Sandown and there was plenty to like about the way he brushed aside Holloway Boy in the Tattersalls Stakes over course and distance last time. Open to plenty more improvement, he looks the one they all have to beat. He’s a general 8-1 for the 2000 Guineas.

Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole. Official Rating: 110. Odds: 25-1.

Hard to fault in his first four starts, which included a runaway win in a maiden at Goodwood and victory in the Richmond Stakes on the same track. In between, he was also a fine third in a strong renewal of the Coventry. However, the wheels fell off when he was well-held in the Gimcrack at York last time when he was well-held. Perhaps something was amiss that day and, having had seven weeks off, he’s been given time to recharge his batteries. However, he needs to raise his game and will be having his first start beyond 6f.

It’s difficult to get away from Nostrum, a fine stamp of a horse who impressed on the Rowley Mile last month. He’s probably already achieved as much as any of his rivals plus also looks open to more improvement than them. Chalden, in the same silks, may give Juddmonte Farms a notable one-two.

1. Nostrum. 2. Chaldean. 3. Naval Power. 4. Isaac Shelby. 5. Aesop’s Fables. 6. Marbaan. 7. Royal Scotsman.