Middle Park Stakes 2024 Tips: 11/2 chance can emulate sibling’s success

The latter of two Group 1 juvenile contests at Newmarket on Saturday is the Middle Park Stakes, which is due off at 15:00.

Eight colts have been declared for the six-furlong affair and my Middle Park Stakes 2024 tips involves one in the royal blue of Godolphin.

It's no surprise that Aidan O'Brien, the race's winning-most trainer, is responsible for the two atop the market for the Middle Park Stakes.

His Group 1-winning No Nay Never colt Whistlejacket is a warm order at time of publication, and his claims are impossible to deny.

The full-brother to Little Big Bear has won three of his six starts this term, including the Prix Morny at Deauville last month just eight days after finishing runner-up to Cheveley Park favourite Babouche.

He sets a very high standard, but he's short enough given this is his seventh run of the season and, if the weather forecast I'm looking at is correct, the ground could be rather testing come the off.

Stablemate Ides Of March has a good chance under Betfred St Leger-winning jockey Sean Levey, but I'm siding with SHADOW OF LIGHT for Charlie Appleby.

I fancied him for the Mill Reef Stakes won by Powerful Glory at Newbury last weekend, but unfortunately he was withdrawn on account of the ground.

That was disappointing, for I believe this horse could actually be better in such conditions. He's a son of Lope De Vega, whose progeny usually appreciate a bit of cut, and out of New Approach mare called Winters Moon, who produced 2019 Middle Park hero Earthlight who won twice on heavy.

Fingers crossed connections bite the bullet on Saturday and that theory gets put to the test.

The selection has a bit to find on Whistlejacket, but the form of his second in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes at York last month is very strong and he's only had half as many runs and is open to significant improvement.

According to the Middle Park Stakes Odds at time of publication, Black Forza and Defence Minister pose a slight threat to the aforementioned trio, while Intrusively, Jouncy and Dash Dizzy rate unlikely winners.

I agree with that assessment, especially in the case of Defence Minister. I loved his win at Haydock last time out under a penalty and he looks overpriced at present, but it's Shadow Of Light for me.

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