Never So Brave Faces Emerging Star In Fascinating Criterion Stakes Clash

The Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes at York promises to be one of the highlights of Saturday’s card, with a small but select field of six lining up for the £100,000 contest over seven furlongs.

Despite the modest turnout, this year’s renewal brings together proven Group 1 class, an exciting three-year-old challenger and several seasoned campaigners capable of making their presence felt.

At the head of the market is Andrew Balding’s Never So Brave, a horse whose name is already etched into York folklore following his Group 1 success over this very course and distance last summer. That victory capped a remarkable hat-trick and established him among the leading seven-furlong performers in Britain.

The five-year-old has yet to hit those heights in two starts this season, finishing fifth in both the Sandown Mile and the Diomed Stakes at Epsom. However, neither race appeared to play to his strengths and a return to York could prove exactly what he needs. His previous course-and-distance victory remains comfortably the strongest piece of form on offer and, crucially, he carries no penalty for that success.

Standing in his way is the progressive three-year-old Saber Strike, who receives a valuable 9lb weight-for-age allowance. Trained by William Haggas, the colt arrived at Royal Ascot unbeaten and was sent off a well-backed favourite for the Jersey Stakes. Although he could finish only sixth, the result may not tell the whole story. Drawn away from the favoured ground and never ideally positioned, he was not disgraced and remains a colt with significant potential.

Prior to Ascot he had looked highly promising when winning a Listed contest at Newmarket, displaying a sharp turn of foot that suggests Group company is well within reach. If he takes a step forward from his Royal Ascot effort, he could give the favourite plenty to think about.

The most intriguing outsider is Ralph Beckett’s Qirat. Best remembered for his shock 150-1 victory in last year’s Sussex Stakes, he has struggled to build on that success but returns to seven furlongs for the first time since running a respectable fifth behind Never So Brave in York’s Group 1 contest last August. A first-time tongue-tie is applied and connections will hope it can help reignite his spark.

Irish challenger Chicago Critic arrives with solid Group-race form without quite managing to get his head in front. His hold-up style often leaves him dependent on pace and luck in running, while Royal Velvet faces a tougher task after carrying a penalty for her recent Group 3 success against her own sex. Balmacara completes the field but must overcome a lengthy losing run.

With only six runners, tactics could prove decisive. Qirat may be the one to force the pace, while Never So Brave and Saber Strike are likely to be positioned close enough to strike when the race begins in earnest entering the final two furlongs.

The race ultimately looks set to revolve around established class versus untapped potential. Never So Brave brings the strongest credentials and proven York form, but Saber Strike receives a generous weight concession and still has the profile of a horse capable of reaching a much higher level.

Whatever the outcome, the Criterion Stakes promises to provide a fascinating examination of the seven-furlong division and could point the way towards bigger targets later in the season.

Prediction

1. Never So Brave
2. Saber Strike
3. Qirat

Selection: Never So Brave