MASTER OF THE SEAS 3.00 Newmarket at 6/5

 bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3) 1m1f

COMPOSITE RATINGS

Trainer Form: 4-8 for 50%           (10)    
National average: 28%               (10)
Course Strike Rate ALL: 27%         (10)                                     
OR & RPR: 117 & 133                 (10)
Distance: 1m1f+                     (10)                          
Optimum Ground: Good                (10)
Jockey: William Buick               (10)
National Average: 21%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 17%             (10)
Trainer/jockey UK combination: 30%  (10)
Total:                             (100)
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Danger: Megallan

Godolphin comments

Group-class colt; impressive when winning a 7f novice stakes at Newmarket (soft) in June 2020 and then landed the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at the July course with plenty to spare; given a 64-day break after and returned with a fourth in the 7f Group 1 National Stakes; beaten at odds-on when next seen in Listed race at Meydan in February 2021 (pulled hard / unsuited by muddling pace); bounced back to form in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket (1m) in first-time hood, pulling well clear with a stablemate; beaten a short head in the 2000 Guineas on next start; close third in Group 2 Joel Stakes after four month break in September but then ran too free in the QEII Stakes at Ascot, finishing seventh of ten.

Excellent record on Newmarket's Rowley Mile

Master Of The Seas looks to continue his excellent record on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile when he makes his 4yo return in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes on day one of the Craven meeting. The son of Dubawi scored on debut or Charlie Appleby at the course in 2020 and posted two fine performances at the Suffolk track at the start of his three-year-old season, winning the Group 3 Craven Stakes before going down by a short-head in the Group 1 2,000 Guineas.

Pleased with preparation and conditions to suit - Charlie Appleby

Master Of The Seas, who captured the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on Newmarket’s July Course as a juvenile, also ran well on the Rowley Mile with a close third behind Benbatl in September’s Group 2 Joel Stakes. He steps up to nine furlongs for the first time having been withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, won by Space Blue. Charlie Appleby told us: "Master Of The Seas has brought some of his best form to the Rowley Mile. This will be his first start since being gelded and we have been pleased with his preparation. Conditions look there to suit and we are expecting a big run."

Contender

The main danger is surely Magellan. He is a smart colt who scored twice, including the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury, last year. He is the type to make a better 4yo, so looks a big player on his comeback appearance.

Timeform

 MASTER OF THE SEAS is the clear form pick and his stable usually enjoys success at this meeting, so he's an obvious choice to make a successful return at the likely expense of Megallan, another one with the scope to do better as a 4yo. Bell Rock, who goes well at the track, is another one to consider.

Value

The 6/5 seems a fair price, we would have taken even money but given the price is general we will try and nick a bit better than that on the exchange. The Pacafi is rated 5lbs superior to Magellan and Charlie Appleby has his horses in excellent form!

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PACAFI RESULTS for 2022

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