Desert Castle set for Dewhurst test against Aidan O’Brien runners

Desert Castle aims to stay unbeaten

Charlie Appleby’s Desert Castle will attempt to keep his perfect record intact when he lines up in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The colt impressed on debut in August and followed up with a clear-cut victory in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Strong opposition expected

Appleby is chasing a fourth win in the contest since 2019, a race that often identifies the season’s top juvenile.

Four rivals are set to oppose Desert Castle.

O’Brien pair head the challenge

Aidan O’Brien fields Darkness Falls and Great Barrier Reef.

Darkness Falls is the stable’s main hope after a wide-margin win in a Group One at the Irish Champions Festival, though he will drop back in distance for this assignment.

Great Barrier Reef, a Royal Ascot winner, returns after a lengthy absence during which he was beaten on reappearance.

Godolphin and Balding runners

Jassas will also carry Godolphin colours after winning two of his three starts.

The sole runner not trained for Coolmore or Godolphin is Andrew Balding’s Gentle Hurricane, who finished behind Desert Castle at Doncaster.

Source: rte.ie