An intriguing maiden over this 5f on softening ground with a decent prize to the winner.
A few form horses in this contest have an element of ability.
Trade Secret has run well on each start and this drop to 5f on softer ground may bring about a best performance if not regressing from a few hard races. Brittain's colt has a knee bend which suggests this ground will be more to his liking. Quite a big juvenile, Brittain has noted that this son of Trade Fair is a touch on the weak side, which has to be a slight concern. If at the top of his game, another strong performance should be expected.
Cherry Bee was doing all of her best work at the finish of her race at Ripon behind the easy winner Di Stefano. I can see this filly improving for the run. Having been entered for a stakes race, more can be expected today.
Parbold Hill is a sizable filly, and not a bad looker to be fair. Barron's youngster has a touch of ability although I feel she has to raise her game to figure here.
Elusive Sue and Falasteen are interesting newcomers. The former would be very interesting if fancied in the betting. Fahey has a liking for York, often sending out some of his better juveniles here, and with umpteen talented two-year-olds in his care he will have a good idea of what this filly can achieve. Having been entered to run in a stakes race and with Fahey having a very good win rate on debut I would certainly keep on the right side of this juvenile, especially if fancied in the betting. Falasteen was originally entered to run in the Lily Agnes at Chester and a stakes race. These are encouraging signs for this Nicholls' juvenile. The negative is that this colt was meant to run at Thirsk but was so unruly he was withdrawn before the start and this could be a slight concern. I note that he is now a gelding, so whether he has been cut in the meantime is a point worth considering. Potentially a horse with talent and from a stable that can win on debut. It is good to see Adrian Nicholls riding. Money for this juvenile would be a very positive sign.
An intriguing race. The betting will tell the story for the unraced. Trade Secret and Cherry Bee are the best on form.
A watching race.
Race review: 'A tough-looking race and Falasteen done well to win this race on debut. A strong gelding, he was reputed to be a decent juvenile and proved that here. Well backed, he ran on well to catch Trade Secret who put up a very good display beating the rest quite easily. Parbold Hill showed enough to hold third.'