Richard Pankhurst & Grecian Light face Newmarket challenge

Richard Pankhurst and Grecian Light go for Pattern race glory on day one of Newmarket’s Dubai Future Champions Festival, Friday, October 7.

Four-year-old Richard Pankhurst (John Gosden/William Buick) bids for a second seven-furlong G2 win this year in the Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes (14.40hrs local time), having quickened impressively for a length victory on good to firm turf in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on August 13.

The Raven’s Pass colt finished fifth on his latest start in the G2 Park Stakes on good ground at Doncaster, also over seven furlongs, on September 10.

John Gosden commented: "Richard Pankhurst did not act on the loose ground at Doncaster last time and will be suited by the faster going at Newmarket."

Richard Pankhurst, drawn two in a field of 12, takes on Cougar Mountain and Gifted Master, who were first and second in the G2 Shadwell Joel Stakes, Italian G1 runner-up Jallota and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Lumiere.

Grecian Light (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), a two-year-old Shamardal filly, is out to confirm her high level of form in the G3 Visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes (14.05hrs local time) over seven furlongs.

She was runner-up in the mile G2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on September 8 and filled the same position on her latest outing in the seven-furlong G3 C L & M F Weld Park Stakes on heavy going at the Curragh on September 25.

Charlie Appleby reported: "Grecian Light is a consistent filly that is putting together a nice record.

"She has run well at her two most recent starts and this race gives her a great chance of winning a Group race as a two-year-old.

"The ground will be in her favour and she has been working well."

Grecian Light breaks from stall 12 of 13, with her rivals set to include Miss Infinity and Glitter Girl, third and fourth in the G2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes, plus French maiden winner Double Lady.