Mill Reef field depleted following overnight rain

Richard Fahey’s Powerful Glory will aim to build on his big reputation when he lines up in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Due to heavy overnight rain the Newbury card has been decimated by non-runners, including in the afternoon’s feature race.

Adrian Keatley’s Symbol Of Strength, Hamad Al Jehani’s Defence Minister, Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light and the Karl Burke-trained Andesite are all non-runners.

Powerful Glory made a deep impression when justifying odds-on favouritism on his debut at Pontefract last month.

Bruce Raymond is racing manager for Powerful Glory’s owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and also looks after the racing interests of Jaber Abdullah, whose colours will be carried by another winning debutant in Jack Channon’s Sarab Star.

Raymond said: “Richard Fahey’s horse I thought had a very good winning chance, certainly a good each-way chance.

“His form hasn’t worked out much, but he’s a lovely horse and I think he could go pretty close.

“They were confident before Pontefract and he won well, so I think he’s got a good chance, hopefully, but it’s a good race of course.

“Jack’s horse is going to be one of the outsiders, but he was pretty confident going to Salisbury and I think he can improve a bit and has got a nice outside chance.”

Bargain-buy Brian has enjoyed a fine campaign for trainer Sylvester Kirk, breaking his duck over this course and distance and landing a valuable sales race at Newmarket.

The son of Shaman has also finished third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in the Sirenia on his most recent outing, prompting connections to stump up the required £5,000 to supplement him for the Mill Reef earlier this week.

“We’re looking forward to it, just being in the race and having a little squeak is great,” said Kirk.

“There’s a bit of rain forecast, which I think I will help him. It’s the owners’ local racetrack and they thought ‘why not’ (supplement), so that’s why we’ve done it.

“It’s a proper race, one of the best races to win as a two-year-old, and he’s certainly had enough experience, hasn’t he?

“He didn’t cost a lot, the owners have had great fun with him, he’s in great form and he’ll go and take his chance.”