The AVENGER METFIELD Stakes, 1 mile firm turf Newmarket.

Its back to basics this week after the glory of the Breeders Bowl. At Newmarket on Saturday the only stakes race is The AVENGER METFIELD Stakes, to be run over one mile on the firm turf for all horses 3 yo +. There is a prize fund of $80000 and a field of eight will enter the stalls. Its the time of year when the 3 yo`s try and knock the older horses off their perch. The field here is split 50/50 between 3 yo`s and 4 yo`s. Can the youngsters beat their older rivals? Well I have checked my crystal ball, read my tea leaves and im going to make a prediction.

4 yo mare

Woodman x Green Desert x Kris s.

26 runs 7 wins 4 seconds 6 thirds $181665

In good nick at present, finally gaining deserved success last time out for some real good efforts in defeat most notably back in September in Taiwan on her penultimate run where once again finished 2nd (for the third time in a row all allowance races) but smashed her lifetime best failing by 1 3/4 lengths with a 105. Last time out at this track she showed that plus 100 run was no fluke when gaining a win in a mile allowance with a 102. She is sure to put up a good show here and should go well.

3 yo mare

Forestry x Kingmambo x Sadler`s Wells

12 runs 4 wins 4 seconds 1 third $179637

Classy 3 yo stayer, winner of two 3 yo stakes , both on turf over 11 and 12 furlongs. Big task here dropping back to the mile against this level of competition. His highest speed figure of 94 was achieved over 10.5 furlongs and that leaves him a bit of a mountain to climb here. Interesting to see what he can do but if any of the 3 yo`s are going to rise to the challenge, and it is a tough challenge, it probably wont be this one.

3 yo mare

Red Ransom x Danzig x Mr Prospector

15 runs 8 wins 3 seconds 2 thirds $220972

From a top stable and has been really well handled to rack up a strike rate of 50% +. Consistently running in the high nineties and just breaking through the hundred barrier once, in order to get competitive here she is going to have to raise it to a whole knew level. Would probably need a pb to feature here, and whilst that is not impossible it just makes others more attractive propositions. Bookies rate her as the best of the 3 yo`s but I beg to differ.

3 yo mare

El Prado x Kingmambo x Deputy Minister

10 runs 5 wins 1 third $60690

Bred with top class lines, this 3 yo looks like she may end up being a decent runner. Her only bad run in her last 4 races came when she stepped up in trip and up in class in the grade 2 Prabha Stakes in Queensland over 8.5 furlongs. She didnt run too badly but was rather outclassed by a decent field. That race aside she has won 3 mile allowances on the bounce and in each win she has ran 100 +. She may well be the best of the 3 yo`s on show here (although there is a dark horse) and she doesn`t have too improve on what she has done too much in order to be a real threat.

5) CALIPSO GEISHA cobbsalad 114 Ni Ambrose 19/1

3 yo mare

Galileo x Secretariat x Relaunch

3 runs 2 wins $43530

And here we have our dark horse. Only 3 runs to her name , well beaten over 10 furlongs last time out, but that 2nd run of hers where she tackled allowance company for the first time makes her interesting. She blazed off into the lead that day and was never in any danger, building up a big lead before trotting up by 2 1/4 lengths being hard held. Her speed figure of 100 was good considering it was only her 2nd run and must have had her trainer delighted. Reverts to a mile again here and whilst she has major improving to do she can not be totally dismissed.

4 yo mare

Galileo x Lear Fan x Shadeed

19 runs 8 wins 3 seconds 4 thirds $155050

Winner of 5 of her last 7, I predict future success for this one, starting on Saturday. She has the form in the book, twice in her last 3 runs (the other run was on yielding turf, not in her favor) she has tackled 1 mile allowance races and come away with victory and big speed numbers (108 and last time out 105) .Both these wins came at this very track. This makes her a stand out here and its going to be difficult for all her rivals if she continues in her current vein of form. She also has the assistance of the top track jockey and it looks a real good package. Earmarked for the win.

4 yo mare

Brahms x Maria`s Mon x Housebuster

32 runs 9 wins 8 seconds 8 thirds

Remarkably genuine and consistent horse, her record of being in the money is amazing and it seems she will always give you a run in the nineties, even when switching surface, but unfortunately for her this looks a class to high. She has campaigned in claimers most of her career and has 8 previous owners to her name, but this much traveled warrior will do well to keep her record of in the money going here. Winner of 2 allowance races in her last 2 runs, this looks tough for her.

3 yo mare

Royal Anthem x Kingmambo x Slew o` Gold

18 runs 3 wins 5 seconds 4 thirds $140021

Two dismal efforts after a pricey $100000 claim, she did repay just a little of the faith invested in her by her present connections last time out when winning a nw3l 1 mile allowance in Ireland. She lead all the way there and recorded a pb speed figure of 96. She still has some way to go to repay the 200 bps cost of her claim and I cant see her earning much bp`s here. Possibly the weakest of the 3yo`s on show here, it looks like she has her work cut out.

Yes the mists are clearing. I see a card. Its Tarot Card and she`s romping home. Hey this fortune telling business is easier than I thought. Wait the crystal ball mists over again. I see a band, which band is that? Its black Sabbath…..it must be a sign. Ozzy`s hope for 2nd. The ball, it mists once more. Whats that I see, another singer……a little Scottish singer. Whats she doing? She`s shouting and swearing. She`s having a tantrum. It must mean Lulu`s Foul Mood for third.