Wednesday, 13 May 2009

5:45 Newmarket (14th May)

The Hermitage is one of the clear favourites here and ran a cracking race on debut although that may have been a poor race. The winner that day, Maidtorun, is no world beater but a gutsy type as is Johnston's filly. This daughter of Kheleyf is sparely made although she may have something going for her as I noted a couple of stakes race and listed entry have been chalked up of late. In what looks to be a poor race she should take some beating.

Of the rest, Marosh is difficult to assess after running at Chantilly (France) on debut and quite a short price that day. It would be wise to take note of this two-year-old as Cowell has a decent crop of two-year-olds this season.

A watching race.

Race review: 'A modest race won well by The Hermitage. Johnston's filly is very lightly built but it doesn't stop her from running or winning. I wouldn't like to imagine what the rest of the field attained but time will tell and the experience will do the newcomers good. The Hermitage will probably look the odd one out when attempting stakes level and her task is going to be much more difficult from this point on. A battling type, she may do better than her weedy stature suggests.'