Arapaho bidding to win Mill Reef Gold at Newbury

Michael Dods is readying stable star Arapaho Gold in a bid to extend his unbeaten run to five in the Mill Reef Stakes.

Although established as the Crookham Stakes in 1960, the six furlong contest that we know today only took shape in 1972 and has been won by the likes of Excellent Art, Dark Angel and Harry Angel since the turn of the century.

Eight go to post on Saturday, connections all hoping to use this race as a springboard to something like a Middle Park or Dewhurst down the line.

The aforementioned Arapaho Gold is 6/5 favourite to land Group 2 honours here and stretch his career record to a perfect five from five.

A son of Bayside Boy, he has been on the go since early May, progressing through the ranks to win a Listed contest here at Newbury before comprehensively beating a really decent field in the Gimcrack Stakes at York. Although that was a career best performance, it might be that the form from his previous effort at the Berkshire track holds the key to Saturday's race.

He got the better of Godolphin juvenile Nabati (9/2) that day and the Charlie Appleby-trained runner reopposes here - this time with a 3lb in his favour at the weights. Supporters of the Night Of Thunder colt may point to the neck between them in July and give him a chance of overturning the form.

However, he has failed to show a marked improvement in two subsequent visits to the track.

Splitting them in the betting is Juddmonte-owned filly Jolivette (2/1), bidding to provide Andrew Balding with a poignant success.

This year's race will be ran in memory of Andrew's father, Ian Balding, who trained Mill Reef to not only win the Coventry, Gimcrack and Dewhurst at two, but then also the Derby, Eclipse, King George and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to cement his place as one of the all-time greats in his Classic season.

With just one win beside her name, Jolivette's form isn't as flashy as some in here, however, she has been running really well in deep company. The two-year-old fillies look like a strong bunch this year and she has been able to mix it with the best of them, finishing close behind Senorita Bonita and Libertango on her last two starts.

Mill Reef Stakes confirmed runners

1. Arapaho Gold
2. Adaay Of Scarlett
3. Cut A Dash
4. Matteo
5. Mr Macartney
6. Nabati
7. Revels
8. Jolivette

Mill Reef 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.