James Fanshawe's juveniles have been in cracking form of late with a debutante winner and impressive victor at Beverley on Thursday. Lord George caught my eye for a couple of reason - which I can't really detail - and I would have been fancying this son of Sir Percy to be a strong bet but the price has taken the sparkle off this grey colt. Saying that, this youngster has exceptional win and place claims from my info. I would guess he is priced to chance so anything over even money would, in theory, be value. If a major drifter that would be more interesting.
Charles Hills now trains *Zzoro who was formerly handled by Clive Brittain. Newmarket's finest is retiring and I imagine this is the reason for the change. This son of Manduro was a relatively cheap purchase at 24,000GNS. He may have been priced 50/1 on all three starts but he is a progressive colt who ran a sterling race last time out at Newmarket. This April foal touched much shorter odds in-running and this is a marked drop in class by race type. Brittain held this bay in some regard and if priced at each-way odds could well make a viable bet to the favourite, especially if that horse is backed to big odds on. I'd be surprised if Zzoro wasn't in the first three.
Another trainer who you don't associate with two-year-olds is Alan King. However, he has been in fine form and seen a couple of juvenile winners these last few weeks. This son of Intense Focus was weak in the market on debut at 25/1 but finished runner-up to the fair Theydon Grey. Invocation is a 20,000GNS Breeze-Up purchase who ran at auction class on debut at Chelmsford City over one mile.Could have fair each-way claims.
One outsider that may be worth a chance is Paul Eddery's Hepplewhite. There was money for this horse on debut at Windsor although started at big odds. This son of Rail Link didn't achieve a great deal when twelfth of fourteen. It is worth noting Eddery gave this colt a Group entry which looks misjudged but horses can disappoint on their first start and at incredible odds could have place claims.
Conclusion: The betting suggests this is out of the three major fancies and it is most likely correct. Lord George has strong claims but if very short odds may give some value elsewhere. However, I do think this colt will take some beating. I like Zzoro, who looks a sound each way bet and if drifting to decent odds is well worth a bet. Invocation has claims although less fancied to the two mentioned. Hepplewhite may be worth a speculative bet at huge odds.
Zzoro NR