Lees Anthem makes his reappearance after running through the rails at Newcastle and then being a late withdrawal from a Thirsk stakes race. If temperament and past experience doesn’t have a negative affect then this big, strong colt could be a decent juvenile. He would have given Archers Road a battle that day and Channon’s juvenile has proven time after time that it is a talent. Teague must be looking forward to this prospect and hopefully Lees Anthem will enjoy the experience today.
It is interesting to note that at the five-day declarations Stephen Donohoe was booked to ride Kanaf but now takes the ride on Emeralds Spirit. This filly’s mother, Spiritual Air, was a winner at two and also trained by Weymes. This may be a significant pointer at speculative odds although his juveniles are generally of limited ability.
Absolute Music cost $95,000 and Cowell has had winners on debut. The jockey booking seems rather unusual, however, with lots of racing on Saturday you have to use your discretion whether this may be a negative or not.
Little Scotland, trained by Tim Easterby, cost £87,000. This filly by Acclamation is well owned but the trainer has a very poor win rate with two-year-old making their debut.
A watching race.
Kanaf (NR)
Absolute Music (NR)
Race review: 'The kind of race you don't want to watch as Lees Anthem got stage fright, again, and after looking a winner became impossible to ride and finished third. Clearly a juvenile with as much temperament as talent, few will dare to back him next time fearing more of the same. I hope for connections sake that he has his day because he is a capable horse if not a touch unstable (mentally). A strange race to say the least: I thought he was going to run through the rails - again! The finish was thought out by King Of Axum and Little Scotland with Johnston's colt prevailing. A crazy race.'