A fillies' maiden over 5f with a few form horse and debutantes from well-respected yards.
Ailsa Carmel sets a decent mark for this field to aim. To finish third to experienced juveniles in a stakes race on debut is the sign of a fair two-year-old. I noticed that Channon had entered her in three stakes races before she has even raced, which must be an illustration of the regard he holds this filly by Antonius Pius. A relatively cheap purchase, it will take a good one to beat her.
Of the other form horses Fenella Rose is a lovely-looking filly. She ran well on debut and may have slightly tired in the final furlong as she came with a strong run but was soon put in her place by the easy winner. She wouldn't go in the stall when entered to race at Thirsk so she will need to be better behaved today.
The remaining two form horse have an element of ability but have their work cut out against Channon's Ailsa Carmel.
Of the unraced the Meehan pair, Lady Of The desert and Vanishing Grey, have superb breeding and must be respected. The betting will be the best guide to their chances and it should be noted that Meehan has a poor strike rate on debut. His juveniles have very good statistics on their second starts and should be noted even if they run poorly today.
Tomintoul Singer, for Henry Cecil, is a relatively cheap purchase and once again he doesn't have the greatest of win rates on debut.
Ailsa Carmel has a decent level of ability and her experience over this 5f with count for her. The form horses have shown a level of ability but need to improve.
A decent race.
A watching race.
Race review: 'This could turn out to be a quality contest with plenty of winners coming from this race. Brian Meehan bucked the trend of needing the run with a great performance from Lady Of The Desert. This well-bred filly wasn't best away but ran nicely through the field to win well. A two-year-old with scope and pedigree to be a star, connections certainly knew what they had on their hands being backed from double-figure odds on exchanges to return second favourite. It is additionally interesting this Meehan's juvenile won on debut, often the mark of talent for this yard. A quality filly who will make her mark. Tomintoul Singer was strong in the betting and looked to come with a winning run only to find a better filly on the scene. Cecil's two-year-old is an attractive, full-bodied sort and will definitely win races. La Fortunata reverse the placings with Fenella Rose by many lengths. Jenkins' juveniles often improve a good deal and this filly showed bags of speed up the rail and ran very well. It may be the case that Fenella Rose ran below standard as she was travelling well enough until the eventual winner brushed past her and from that point was hanging and tired quickly in the manner of a horse that struggled to get the distance or may have suffered an injury. She was certainly holding her head in a rather awkward manner in the final furlong. There was much to like about the way Vanishing Grey run. From a wide draw, and veering to her right on leaving the stalls, she was soon a long way adrift and made steady progress throughout the race and would have gone close if knowing her job. A filly to keep in mind and will no doubt run a big race on her second start. Aisla Carmel finished a poor-looking favourite and never seemed to be travelling that fluently. She may well have ran below standard but this could have been a reflection of a very good race and so she has a question mark after this disappointment. Angel Of Fashion was outpaced and then ran on in the final furlong. She has an element of ability but not the greatest of juveniles in my opinion. She may be better over 6f , however, she runs her race over 5f. She may scrape a win in an poor maiden. A race that will work out well. Lots of juveniles worth noting here.'
