Friday 24 April 2009

2:30 Leicester (25th April)

Farmer Giles makes his return to the course after being touted as a good thing on debut but failed to show. This Danroad colt holds an entry for the Phoenix Stake (Group1) but needs to leave that form well behind him to consider such plans. He is best watched today, especially if priced at short odds.

Italian Tom is quite an interesting two-year-old. Having been entered to run in a stakes races and recently purchase for £36,000 at a breeze-up sale these factors may prove significant pointers. It would be good to see this juvenile backed.

King’s Approach ran a sterling race on debut. A nice stamp of a horse, he will have his followers today. It is slightly difficult to know what he achieved on debut but he gives the impression that he will run a fair race.

Royal Desert, trained by Mick Channon, didn’t run too badly on debut in a competitive stakes event. This is an attractive colt and Channon’s juveniles are always to be feared on their second starts.

A watching race.

Race review: 'A battling finish between King's Approach and Farmer Giles with a host of others running on towards the line. Hannon's attractive colt just pipped Bell's runner but it could have gone either way. These two, plus Italian Tom, stormed off to a healthy lead and in truth they probably cut each others throats and nearly paid the price with Royal Desert and Petrocelli making huge strides at the death. On another day Italian Tom may have done a touch better but after such a charge he had no more to give and tired in the last half furlong. A decent enough race for an auction event, a few winners will probably come from this. Caution may be needed with regard to the late finishers who could find themselves struggling once gain especially in a slower run race, however, they could have potential. It was a fascinating race.'