Dubai poet offers to secure his second victory at Newbury in the Virgin Bet Horris Hill Stakes.

A promising fourth on his racetrack debut in August, the youngster Roger Varian was ready to open his account on the second request the following month – and he did so in some style.

The Lope De Vega colt then had to settle for minor honors when he was third behind Coroebus in the Newmarket Autumn Stakes a fortnight ago, and his trainer anticipates another daring performance on Saturday.

Varian said, “He did well at Newmarket in the Autumn Stakes. He didn’t quite see the steep mile that day, and the seven-stadium return to the proving ground should be on his street. It sounds like a strong revival – as it should be – but it should run really well, I think. “

The Dubai poet’s rivals include the trained Charlie Appleby Noble Truth, who falls in class after finishing second in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at ParisLongchamp this month.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “We were obviously delighted with Noble Truth’s performance in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère, when he showed he could face heavy ground. He seems to be the one to beat if he can bring that level of form to the table again. Light Infantry (David Simcock) and Cresta (Martyn Meade) are also worth considering in a competitive matter.

Appleby is responsible for the likely favorite in the other group three on the card – the Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes.

Siskany has won four of his seven starts to date and certainly looks set to step up to the Pattern level, judging by his unmistakable Old Rowley Cup success at Newmarket in his last appearance.

“Siskany produced a very pleasant effort coming back from a hiatus in the Old Rowley Cup and is heading for it in good form,” Appleby added. “He deserves to join this company now and won soft at Sandown earlier in the season, so he’s ticking some great boxes.”

After claiming gold in 2018, Morando offers St Simon a second victory for Andrew Balding, while Ilaraab, coached by William Haggas, is also featured.

Twinning sets the standard in Listed at a gallop to give 10 years with a transplant issue, after finishing fourth at the Rockfel while trying to complete his hat-trick.

Roger Charlton’s filly might not have it his way, however, Varian is eager to see what his first Newmarket winner, Miss Carol Ann, can do on the next level.

He said: “She is a very beautiful filly, and we are looking forward to racing her again. We wish it wasn’t on such a proving ground, but I guess it’s that time of year. These will be very different conditions from what she won at Newmarket. But I think she has a lot of quality, and we can’t wait to release her again.