Newmarket preview: Autumn Stakes (14.35)

Ibn Malik can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (14.35).

The Charlie Hills trained colt scored in good style on debut on the July course at this venue, racing prominently until taking up the running four furlongs from home and finding plenty when challenged to beat Comicas by a cost 3/4 of a length.

It was a most taking performance and Ibn Malik backed it up with a cracking a 3/4 length second in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

In Malik threw down a determined challenge throughout the final furlong until being held close home, and the winner has since gone on to finish an excellent third to Ultra in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardare at Longchamp on Arc Day.

That gives the form a rock solid look, and Ibn Malik has since gone on to finish a fine second the to very exciting Emotionless in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Although now match for the easy 3 1/2 length winner, Ibn Malik stuck to the task well and pulled seven lengths clear of the third home.

This is far easier than the last two assignments that Ibn Malik has faced, and off an official rating of 110 the son of Raven’s Pass has 4lb and upwards in hand on all his rivals.

Gifted Master has a progressive profile and looks sure to go well if coping with a step up to 1m having made all to score impressively in a valuable sales over 7f at the track last time out, but Beacon Rock could well emerge as the main danger to Ibn Malik.

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt opened his account at the second time of asking when staying on strongly and digging deep to land a 1m maiden at the Curragh by a short-head.

Beacon Rock then ran very well to finish a two length third in a Group 2 contest at the same venue last month, getting slightly outpaced at a crucial stage and finding himself short of room before finishing off strongly to be gaining at the finish and be beaten 1/2 a length.