A restricted auction maiden on a turning track where a low draw and experience are favoured.
An interesting selection of form horses for many and varied reasons. Dancing Freddy ran a decent race on debut at Wolverhampton and certainly didn't lack for fitness or experience that day. Finishing second to Shark Man was a creditable performance and this colt has plenty of speed. He will certainly be up with the pace and has a fighting chance.
Duchess Dora was very well backed for an auction maiden at Pontefract but never looked like winning that day. In addition, that was a very poor contest and this filly by Tagula needs to improve for that experience. The most interesting point about her chances today is that she has been entered to run in the Lily Agnes, at Chester, and Quinn must think she has something about her to consider such a race.
Mr Smithson is a difficult juvenile to assess. The form of his Musselburgh debut is difficult to appreciate. Running in a small field that day, the only horse to come from that race (Cariad Coch) looked pretty hopeless at Southwell. I like this colt's attitude and he had a mountain to climb at Beverley when drawn stall one and then started awkwardly, which meant he was pressed early to get a position (which he didn't) and then tired in the final furlong. Ellison had him entered to run in the Brocklesby and he has also been entered to run in another stakes race since. It wouldn't be a surprise to see this two-year-old run a race here although at his tissue price (11/2) I can't say I would be tempted as his form is unproven and I would want decent odds to stick my neck on the block. An interesting juvenile in a race that won't take much winning. I get the feeling I will be watching Mr Smithson today.
Of the unraced, Belle Eponine is worth watching. David Nicholls has good place statistics with his two-year-olds on debut so Bluie could have a chance, while Mrs G. S. Rees is always capable of a surprise or two and her filly by Reset - Regardless - wouldn't be without hope.
A watching race.
Race review: ' Not many got involved and it turned out to be a battle of the form horses with Duchess Dora improving from her debut run at Pontefract. A filly with a bit of size and scope she managed to overhaul Dancing Freddy who ran to a similar standard as his debut effort. Given's two-year-old will be pretty hard to beat at a similar level. Mr Smithson ran an okay kind of race although I was slightly disappointed by his finishing a couple of lengths or so behind the winner. He has an element of ability but may struggle to win and perhaps a step up to six furlongs may bring about improvement.'
