Six three-year-olds take part: three colts, two geldings and one filly who is the only debutante in the field.
A varied mix of trainers.
Very interested in Solajan. This son of Lope De Vega is trained by Ed Dunlop. He ran a promising race on debut when finishing runner-up. Saeed Jaber's charge cost 200,000G when purchased at two & fancied in the betting on debut when competing over one mile and half a furlong. He was denied by a head in a gritty finish. If you love Horse Racing Betting I'd advise this as a hot tip.
Dunlop is a superb talent & this step up in distance looks ideal. To be fair, the betting odds today may not leave much meat on the bone but this will be a tough horse to beat.
Definitely worthy of an interest especially if drifting in the betting.
Denis Quinn is making a name for himself in the training ranks. Arsenio Lupin has raced twice finishing third and fourth. This bay colt was purchased for just 9,000G when almost putting a smile on bookmaker's faces when beaten less than one length. He was priced 100/1.
By all accounts, even a place looked unlikely after a slow start, toiling in the rear, but finished with verve - not quite reaching the leaders. With a few extra yards, this son of Delegator would have won. Racing over the same distance of one mile on his second start at Lingfield, bookmakers were more fearful priced 6/1. This April foal dropped in class, by race type, being at auction race. He ran a fair race in fourth.
The only filly in the field is Cookie's Star. Philip McBride is a sharp-eyed trainer who knows his horses. This daughter of Kyllachy was a very cheap purchase at just 2,500G and part owned by McBride [& Howard Cooke]. It is slightly concerning this bay filly has such a paltry price tag although it isn't a damning sign for every horse. The betting is the best guide. If seriously backed, I would take note. Although, the trainer's debutantes often improve for the run unless the money is down.
I often give Richard Hughes a hard - because, in my opinion, he was a better jockey! He has many fancied horses which disappoint. Waterville Dancer is a son of Nathaniel who wasn't fancied on debut start at odds of 33/1. This 50,000G yearling purchase finished third of five. There should be improvement stepping up in distance but a difficult horse to assess.
John Best has lost horse numbers over the last few years, which is a shame because he has achieved great success in his career. Padrinho raced twice last year, down the field over seven furlongs, unplaced both starts at odds of 100/1. This bay gelding hasn't been seen since September when racing at Ascot. That may indicate Best holds this horse in some regard. This step up in distance will help. Not the easiest horse to assess but worthy of note if fancied in the betting.
Jose Santos is one of few trainers to have a winner priced 200/1. Flying Flynn has been relatively fancied compared to that surprise package. A couple of well-beaten placed effort see at horse rated just 60.
Conclusion: Time may tell this isn't the strongest race. Solajan will take some beating. If drifting a touch in the market, will be a worthy wager.