Championship challenge

Ian Brindle looks ahead to the Group Three Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

Thursday's feature race for juveniles at Newmarket is the Group Three Somerville Tattersall Stakes. Open to colts and geldings, the seven-furlong contest often pitches the more precocious type against those with longer-term aspirations. Despite the race's location, it has historically had a very modest record in terms of Classic performers although Grand Lodge (1993), Even Top (1995) were to go close on their return for the 1000 Guineas while Enrique (1998) managed the somewhat unfortunate double of finding one-too-good in both the Newmarket and Curragh versions. By far the best alumnus in recent years was Aussie Rules. Aidan O'Brien's grey won the race in 2005 and went on to win the French Guineas before scooping a big pot in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland five months later. Meanwhile, the Richard Hannon-trained Havana Gold won last year's race and he certainly hasn't let the form down in the interim having clocked up Group One success in France. The East Eversleigh handler has been responsible for three of the last four victors and he will be represented on this occasion by Championship. Julie Wood's colt has not been seen since disappointing in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot though he looked a colt of considerable potential when landing a hot maiden on debut at Newbury - and the form of that race was spectacularly advertised by third placed, Berkshire, in the Chesham Stakes. Barry Hills won this race in 2010 with Rerouted and while that horse's principal racecourse achievements were to come in his capacity as a pacemaker for the mighty Frankel, son Charlie looks to have a live player in Cable Bay. Second in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, he was not disgraced against two high-class colts in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Godolphin may have had something of an annus horribilis off the track, but victory for Silent Bullet might go some way to restoring faith where it counts. Despite a pedigree that indicates speed, he has been campaigned twice over seven furlongs at Haydock Park and has justified favouritism on each occasion. Ed Dunlop relies upon God Willing. Having realised 210 000 guineas at the Tattersalls Sales in April, there was clearly a great deal of expectation upon the trainer's shoulders and despite proving unruly in the stalls ahead of his Newbury debut, the son of Arch was forward enough in his work to oblige first time out. With a stout pedigree on his dam's side and a Racing Post Trophy entry to boot, there is clearly a bright future ahead. William Buick is back aboard Nezar for William Haggas after the colt dotted up in a Chester nursery under Frankie Dettori. The colt landed a cool £30,000 when third in the DBS Yearling Stakes at York and has shown potential to be a miler in time. Mawfoor realised a similar figure for connections when third in another sales event at Doncaster, and while he needs to improve upon that performance, Brian Meehan is no stranger to handling a decent juvenile as he showed with Racing Post Trophy winner, Crowded House. Bargain buy, Miracle Of Medinah bids to add to her three career victories for Mark Usher while Clive Brittain is represented by Acomb Stakes fifth, Brazos.