Quite an intriguing maiden over 5f on firm ground.
With a selection of raced and unraced juveniles this may be a decent contest. Of the form horses State Fair and Tiradito have shown an element of ability but give the impression there could be much more to come. Cole's juvenile (State Fair) ran loose before its start at Newbury and then ran on well after being hampered in the closing stages. He wasn't pressed in any shape or form and I get a feeling this juvenile is quite well thought of in the Cole yard. A strong, handsome colt by Marju he holds a stakes race entry and likely to run a race. The only slight concern is that he has quite a high knee action and may appreciate better ground than these firm conditions. In addition, the form of the Newbury race has taken a few knocks, however, if one juvenile can improve from that race then this may be the one.
Tiradito is another colt that caught the eye on debut. The race isn't the easiest to assess as Clive Brittain's winner, Misheer, won with ease and the hot favourite seemingly behaved more like a monkey than a horse. The main thing that interests me about this Botti-trained juvenile is that it was relatively short priced before drifting a touch and then given a very easy introduction. This colt by Tail Of The Cat was allowed to trundle home once the winner had gone into a clear lead. This is a very attractive two-year-old, which has already been entred to run in a stakes race and I get the feeling this juvenile is liked within the stable although may be better suited to 6f.
Richard Hannon had six juveniles entered to run in this race at the five-day declaration stage and it may be significant that Huges was always booked to ride Palisades Park. Like all juveniles making their debut it will be no easy task to give away experience to a number of form horses as this turning 5f takes few prisoners and a juvenile can soon become detached and struggle to get back on terms.
Of the others Kalam Daleel and Warning Song are interesting although Perrett has a very poor win rate on debut and Channon's aren't as good as people imagine on their racecourse bow.
Glass Of Red seems to be a professional non-runner so may not take part again because of the firm ground. This filly has been given a stakes race entry.
A watching race.
Glass Of Red (NR)
State Fair (NR)
The Shuffler (NR)
Race review: 'Disappointing to see three non-runners which changed the complexion of the race. Tiradito looked beaten when hampered on the rail and that was a very lacklustre effort. Russian Rock was well backed and took the lead to be chased in the final furlong by Spanish Acclaim who was misbehaving going the to start and in the stalls. Kalam Daleel put down a fair challenge on debut and Warning Song flew home looking as though 6f is needed.'