Timeform Daily: Dubai Duty Free Cup, Friday September 18, Newbury, 3:55

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 17 September 2009 / Leave a Comment

A back-to-his-best Tariq would go close but whether he will ever recapture his 2007 form is debatable. With Stimulation's run at Doncaster on Saturday likely to have blown away the cobwebs, he can resume winning ways, perhaps at the chief expense of the Godolphin duo, Huntdown and Ashram.

Prime Defender is a very useful sprinter on his day including when reappearing this term with a sparkling success at Doncaster in this grade. However, he didn't appear to see out this trip here last time and that is an obvious concern.

Stimulation is high in the pecking order of seven furlong specialists and rounded off 2008 by landing a Group 2 at Newmarket. He was only fifth of six on return at Doncaster but it is significant that he is turned out just six days later.

Tariq is a classy hold-up performer whose three wins in 2007 included the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. He had just the three outings in 2008 and has looked below his best in two starts so far this term. Bit to prove at present.

Ashram was a smart two-year old for John Hills but hasn't flown as high as initially hoped for Godolphin but did manage to land a conditions race on the all-weather at Kempton last time. Dettori prefers Huntdown, though.

Huntdown bettered his two-year old form on debut for Godolphin when second to Imbongi at Newmarket in June. He was not disgraced when fifth to dead-heaters Confront and Dream Eater at York subsequently and can't be ruled out.

Festoso is a smart performer who improved when winning a heavy-ground listed event at Haydock in May. She has been unable to replicate that since and easier ground would be preferred. Blinkers reached for now.