A restricted auction race over this fast 5f.
There are quite a few fashionable stables represented.
One of the more fancied runners, Gone By Sunrise, is trained by Richard Fahey and owned by Market Avenue Racing, who have had a number of talented juveniles over the years. None of today's two year olds cost any amount of money, however, this colt by Three Valleys carries top weight. Fahey has fair win and place claims with his debutantes and one of the more interesting in an open event.
A selection of form horses take their chance. Van Go Go is a very cheaply purchased filly who went off joint favourite at Kempton on debut. Dascombe's youngster ran a fine race and wasn't pressed too hard when clearly held by the winner Majestic Rose. On balance, that was a fair effort although it is difficult to know exactly what she achieved in a small field that day. Her trainer holds fair win and place statistics with his fancied juveniles on their second start and experience is a huge advantage.
There wasn't much between the Evans pair Aquasulis and Middleton Flyer. The latter is the less fancied in the betting but looked awkward in the final stages at Windsor and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Middleton Flyer have a fighting chance of reversing the placings with her stablemate. Evans has been in good form with his juveniles.
First Bid is trained by Kevin Ryan and owned by John Frewell. A cheap purchase at 5,000 at the yearling sales, this son of Kyllachy is worth noting in the betting. Fretwell likes to have his juveniles fit and ready. If unfancied in the betting it wouldn't be a sign of encouragement. This combination have had winning two year olds although I feel Ed McMahon gets the better types.
Flambard House may have claims if substantially backed but, in general, Howard Johnson's juveniles improve for the run.
These restrictive maidens can be quite deceptive races in the sense that all of these juveniles are cheap purchases. Although that doesn't guarantee that some will not have ability, to some extent it brings about limitation, especially to those who have yet to race. Experience and race fitness confer a big advantage and Latte could go well at at price. A cheap buy at 2,000gns as a yearling, on the face of it there doesn't seem too much to recommend. However, this an attractive colt with a fluent stride. Tyme Partnership has done well with their juveniles trained by Linda Stubbs in past seasons. It is a sign of confidence that this son of Multiplex raced at stakes level on debut, was relatively fancied in the betting and Fallon was booked to ride. Since that race, this colt has been entered to run in another stakes race, which give additional support that more may be expected. Stubbs has been quoted as saying she has a nice bunch of two year olds and they often go well on their second start. Nothing much went right for Latte on debut because he hung at the 2f pole and was eased down thereafter. It is difficult to assess this juvenile in many ways but there are enough signs to suggest he has an element of ability.
HCE: ''No more than an average race but a gritty performance by Van Go Go who won by a length. Dascombe said this was her time and may struggle in stakes grade, however, she is a battling type. Howard Johnson's debutante - Flambard House - ran with credit, while Middleton Flyer made the frame. Latte held every chance at the furlong pole but didn't quite run to the line and perhaps a shade disappointing.''