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Unbeaten run continues! Native Trail wins Newmarket's Dewhurst Stakes

After a hard-fought battle, Native Trail proved his Classic credentials by maintaining his unbeaten record in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Hugely impressive on his racecourse introduction at Sandown in June, Charlie Appleby's colt had since edged a thrilling renewal of the Superlative Stakes on Newmarket's July Course before successfully graduating to Group One level in the National Stakes at the Curragh.
The brilliant Pinatubo completed the National Stakes-Dewhurst double for Appleby, jockey William Buick and the Godolphin team two years ago to confirm his status as 2019's champion juvenile - and Native Trail was the 5-6 favourite to follow suit on the Rowley Mile.
It was not entirely straightforward for the market leader, with Dubawi Legend proving why he is held in such high regard by trainer Hugo Palmer with a bold effort from the front.
Buick had to get to work with a couple of furlongs still to run - but once angled out to challenge Dubawi Legend, Native Trail picked up smartly and was ultimately well on top as he passed the post two lengths to the good.
Champagne Stakes winner Bayside Boy was just half a length further away in third.

Bookmakers make Native Trail 3/1 favourite (from 4/1) for next year's 2000 Guineas, with his stablemate Coroebus - winner of the Autumn Stakes just half-an-hour earlier - next in the market at 5/1.

Appleby said of Native Trail: "When he was walking around the paddock I was getting more confident, because he was the standout.
"Today is a huge day, and we have two smart colts on our hands for next year's Guineas. We're fortunate to be going into the winter with two fantastic colts.
"There's a lot more to come, you'd like to say, but he (Native Trail) is unbeaten with two Group Ones. I'm not going to get too carried away.
"He's a big boy, 540 kilos, and came in at that weight from the breeze-ups. Full credit to the team who purchased him, and Norman Williamson who consigned him. Since then, Norman has taken a keen interest.
"Norman said after the National Stakes he still didn't know what he was doing - and he was correct, because his work at home wasn't too exciting, but he warms into a race and does it the right way round.
"I was confident once William gave him the office he would pick up well."

READ MORE: The five greatest Aidan O'Brien horses

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