A very restricted auction maiden for colts and fillies over 7f.
Quite an interesting race.
Before I start, I would like to ask the real George Baker to 'Please stand up!' The triple George Baker-named phenomenon of horse, trainer and jockey deserves to be a winner for that point alone - and may do just that. This gelding by Camacho didn't show on debut but ran a great race second time out and ran with credit in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. You have to consider the trainer knows best whether this step up to 7f with be ideal and in a race of this nature should run a big race. You always have to have slight concerns that previously running over 5f, a juvenile may be liable to pull, and that is a worry.
Danger Mulally is an interesting runner for Andrew Balding. This gelding by Governor Brown was backed on debut and this is an encouraging sign for Balding, often indicating a future winner. This juvnile travelled well for much of the race at Goodwood and then faded, looking quite poor. There was something very strange about that Goodwood race and the form of many should be taken with a pinch of salt. Danger Mulally will appreciate this 7f and although having much to prove isn't without a hope. They key to this juveniles' chance is the betting - if fancied again, expect a big race.
It is always interesting to see Jamie Spencer booked to ride for Callaghan and Al Khimiya has at least prove that 7f is not a problem. I don't think the Catterick race was that good event, as it was very restricted, but this filly showed a good, battling attitude after looking the winner for much of that race. Not the easiest of form lines to assess.
John Dunlop has done well at Folkestone in recent years although his general win rate on debut is very poor. The betting will be the best guide to this ones chance.
Tom Dascombe's Valmina cost a lot of money to sneak into this grade and the trainer is very capable of winning on debut, however, the booking of Richard Smith may be a negative.
George Baker (all of them) could have a smile on his face (do horses smile?) after this race. It will be interesting to see how this gelding copes with the extra furlongs. Danger Mulally would be a interest if priced in single figures. These are the two of most interest. Al Khimiya will get the distance and run a race but may be vulnerable.
A watching race.
Race review: 'A strange race. The far side was said to have much quicker ground and perhaps this benefited Huygens to win this quite well. Coakley is a very capable trainer always finds a two-year-old with a touch of ability each year and this colt was an expensive purchase to get in this race. Astonishment was one of four to race the far side and finished second after showing little on debut. One of the form horses, Al Khimiya, ran a solid race from the near side beating all her opposition by a country mile to take third. George Baker didn't show a jot and never seemed to be travelling. Perhaps Royal Ascot tainted this juvenile. This looked a modest race.'