Monday 26 September 2011

2:20 Ffos Las - Result


An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f on soft ground. This looks a pretty moderate contest. Sheer Vanity ran with promise on debut after a slow start. In an exciting three-way finish, this daughter of Dixie Union flew home to lose in a photo. On balance, that wasn't the best of races but McMahon's juvenile gave the impression there would be better to come. The stable is in a fine vein of form and this two-year-old will be primed today.


The main worry is that being an American-bred, these testing conditions may not be ideal. You have to consider the trainer knows best in these situations. A big run should be expected.


Million Faces is fancied in the betting. Rae Guest is a very talented trainer and this daughter of Exceed And Excel is out of a Group-winning mare. She was relatively fancied on debut at Sandown in a large field and messy race. She was slow away, finding trouble in running, not pressed, and may improve a good deal. That said, she may have to progress because although the form of the Sandown race has been franked there is still a question mark or two. In a moderate race Guest's two-year-old deserves respect, specifically because it has been well supported.


Beach Candy ran in the same race as Million Faces and didn't do Guest's juvenile any favours when pulled out and hampering her in the process. Hannon's filly was a 4/1 shot but never looked a live chance and was outpaced mid race. I would have concerns she will struggle to keep tabs on many of these and any late gains may be all too late. Worth opposing.


Rod Millman's yard is in good form and it is great to see the stable doing well with their juvenile string. Night Angel has been placed on numerous occasions, which illustrates she has her limitations. However, this moderate contest may give connections one last bite at the cherry. It wouldn't be a surprise to see this grey filly slightly on the back foot a couple of furlongs from home. However, this 5f on testing ground might be in her favour. She beat Blackburn by a greater distance than Million Faces & Beach Candy, which is worth noting. Night Angel is prone to a juvenile on an upward curve but has place claims.


Conclusion: Sheer Vanity could look good today. She need to improve but that was a promising debut and McMahon is a very good trainer and would be the pick with strong place claims and a fighting chance of a win. The ground slightly tempers enthusiasm. Night Angel is limited to a degree but has enough ability to take be of interest in a weak race. With the Millman team in good form, she could have each way claims at respectable odds. Million Faces is an interesting filly. It is encouraging that she has been backed but she needs to come on a good deal. She showed inexperience, was hampered, and wasn't pressed. All that suggests there is hope for better. On balance, I would rather watch and learn a little more although she could be a threat. 

HCE: ''I was rather dismissive of Beach Candy's chance but her supporters must have been positive as she travelled well from the start. Clear something was amiss last time at Sandown because this was much better. Sheer Vanity was a touch slow but ran a sound race, looking to hold a chance, but couldn't quite get on terms. Million Faces was substantially backed but didn't seemingly find improvement.''