A field of colts and geldings for this 6f maiden where a low draw can make a difference.
This is an interesting race. Most of the two-year-old here come from less fashionable yards and a number of form horses need to improve.
Audacity Of Hope seems very short in the tissue betting for me. The winner of that race, The Hermitage, is clearly a talented juvenile but I feel it would be a mistake to consider the rest anywhere near those lofty heights. I would be surprised if McBride's juvenile doesn't drift in the betting.
The key feature of this race relates to the Haydock form with Rjeef, Merseyside Star and Nave. The conditions that day were horrendous and I would take the form with a pinch of salt. Rjeef is the logical choice however I am interested in Merseyside Star. This is a lovely-looking colt and a breeze-up purchase. Burke's juvenile can improve a good deal for their first run and I imagine a better run is expected today.
Of the others, Gentle Beat ran well on debut but disappointed at Pontefract. It is slightly strange to see Tom Eaves riding and this heavy-topped gelding may be better on softer ground.
An interesting race.
BET: 1PT EW MERSEYSIDE STAR (AVAILABLE 8/1) (BET 365) (4th)
Race review: 'Audacity Of Hope won this quite well and certainly improved. Rjeef, Nave and Merseyside Star re-opposed and to a certain extent they finished in similar positions, running to form. Rjeef ran a decent race and continues Brittain's good form. Merseyside Star led on the rail and looked to be going well for most but lost out in the final furlong and tried to battle on toward the line but couldn't regain third place. Nave ran a fair race for the Johnston yard who have hit form of late. Interesting to see how the race holds up.'