2023 Mill Reef Stakes Tips - 25/1 outsider could spring a surprise at Newbury

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 21 Sep 2023

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Jon Vine 21 Sep 2023

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2023 Mill Reef Stakes
This Group Two takes place at Newbury on Saturday 23rd September
We're backing Spanish Phoenix at 25/1

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Mill Reef Stakes. (Getty)

This Saturday's ITV meeting at Newbury is headlined by the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes. This top juvenile contest has produced many an outstanding colt, including future Group One winners like Mon Fils, Dark Angel, Ribchester and Harry Angel.

Here's our free guide to the 2023 Mill Reef Stakes, including our best betting tips.

2023 Mill Reef Stakes Odds

Name	Odds
Mister Sketch	3/1
Seven Questions	7/2
Haatem	5/1
Array	6/1
Matters Most	8/1
Bar	10/1

2023 Mill Reef Stakes Odds

Mister Sketch2023 Mill Reef Stakes FavouriteGET 3/1 HERE

Heavy ground at Newbury has forced Elite Status, Lake Forest and Eben Shaddad out of Saturday's main event. The market is now topped by Eve Johnson Houghton's Mister Sketch, who ran out a nine-length winner of a novice at Salisbury last time out.

Vintage Stakes winner, Haatem will attempt to bounce back after a poor showing in the Gimcrack Stakes. George Scott will be represented by Sirenia Stakes runner-up Seven Questions, with Oisin Murphy riding Array for Andrew Balding.

Ralph Beckett and Hector Crouch team up with Matters Most, with Tom Marquand riding Red Zone Hero for Michael Bell. Andrew Balding's Spanish Phoenix and the once-raced Roman Emperor complete the field.

2023 Mill Reef Stakes Tips

Spanish Phoenix E/W2023 Mill Reef Stakes TipsGET 25/1 HERE

Bottomless ground has turned what was already a wide-open contest into somewhat of a lottery. A couple of Saturday's runners bring soft-ground-winning form to the table, including SPANISH PHOENIX, who bolted up in a soft-ground maiden at Leicester back in April.

Andrew Balding's charge ran on well to finish fourth of 12 down his side of the track in the Coventry at Royal Ascot. Spanish Phoenix was then stepped up to seven furlongs, but failed to see out that distance at both the July Festival and Glorious Goodwood.

James Doyle's mount hasn't been seen since that last-place finish in the Vintage Stakes, meaning he comes into this contest nice and fresh. Balding must hold this son of Phoenix Of Spain in high regard, given he ran him in three prestigious Group Twos. He might be one of the least fancied in the field, but if Spanish Phoenix deals with the ground, he has every chance of challenging.

Verdict

2023 Mill Reef Stakes

Spanish Phoenix has as good a chance as any of Saturday's runners of dealing with the ground at Newbury. 25/1 looks like an appealing each-way price - as long as eight runners remain in the field and we have three places to play for.