Desert out to Castle rivals in Dewhurst

Just five will head to post for Saturday's Dewhurst Stakes, but it's not a race lacking in quality.

Often used as a springboard to the 2000 Guineas, this race has been won by some superstars of the past, including maybe the greatest of them all: Frankel. Sir Henry Cecil's charge won this all the way back in 2010, four victories into a remarkable unbeaten record that he maintained all the way through to his retirement.

He of course went on to taste Classic success the following season and there are five juveniles taking part on Saturday with hopes of achieving similar.

16 years on, Frankel's impact on the race can still be felt and his son, Desert Castle (4/5), is a short-priced favourite to keep the race in the family. The Godolphin juvenile only has two races under his belt, however, he has won both of them, streaking clear of a decent field last time out. Well-regarded Ballydoyle inmate Sergei Diaghilev was behind him that day and if he improves then he could be hard to stop here.

Fortunately for Aidan O'Brien, ammunition is not something that he is short of and he saddles Darkness Falls (15/8) and Great Barrier Reef (13/2) in an attempt to avenge that defeat on Town Moor. It's the former who looks to have the most outstanding credentials following victory top-level success in the Golden Fleece. O'Brien has already began the 'Triple Crown' chat with this one, so he ought to have the pace for a mile if that is the route that connections are planning for next season.

His stablemate won at Royal Ascot earlier in the summer, but the strength of that Windsor Castle form is very much up for debate after several let downs in the months since. Great Barrier Reef himself found Group 3 company too hot to handle last time out, beaten by Push The Boat at the Curragh.

Making up the remainder of the field are Gentle Hurricane (40/1) and Jassas (33/1), hoping to spring something of an upset of the Rowley Mile. A stablemate of Desert Castle, Jassas returned to winning ways at Haydock Park last time out when recording an impressive three-and-a-quarter-length victory over Brave Country.

Dewhurst Stakes confirmed runners

1. Darkness Falls
2. Desert Castle
3. Desert Hurricane
4. Great Barrier Reef
5. Jassas

Dewhurst Stakes betting odds

(Odds will display when market is available)

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.