A maiden for colts and fillies over 5f on good to soft ground. (6th April)
Lady Brookie ran a great race for Bill Turner, losing out by a narrow margin for the Brocklesby on debut. Her handler often sends his best juvenile to compete in this prestigious Stakes race and such a performance, especially for a filly, deserves respect in what is potentially a drop in class. She is not the biggest of juveniles and may look rather small compared with a few of the colts in this field. Lady Brookie has a good chance of winning on this second start although at restricted odds may be there to be shot at.
Beach Patrol ran with credit on debut, being the lesser fancied of two Channon runners. A speedy type, this colt is likely to be with the lead once again. Channon's juveniles feature a much better win rate on their second start and the experience will be a big advantage over those making their debuts. It is difficult to assess the worth of the Kempton form and for that reason alone it pays to be cautious, however, one of the main contenders.
From the same race, Ivan's A Star is an interesting runners although there is a doubt or two about Moore's juvenile. This colt was originally entered to run in the Brocklesby Stakes but didn't go for that race and since been entered for another Stakes event. Moore has done well with his Brocklesby entrants from previous years and this may be an encouraging sign. This son of Ivan Denisovich didn't have much luck in running: starting slowly from on outside draw, raced wide and slightly hampered, and then running on at the finish. He has a number of lengths to reverse the form with Beach Patrol, which isn't going to be easy, but not beyond the realms considering he had no luck that day. The potential negative could be the jockey booking of Luke Morris, with respect to why Keniry (who rode this juvenile on debut) is racing at Southwell (two rides, one for Moore). Whether this is a negative is a matter of opinion but Ivan's A Star may not be such a hopeless case although it would have been more encouraging to see Keniry in the saddle.
David Evans has three juveniles entered here, Scarlet Rocks the one with form. This filly by Chineur ran a fair race on debut, however, it remains to be seen what level that race sets. The majority were very cheap buys and a restricted Auction event which could be on a similar par to a Selling race. The jockey bookings are something of an unknown. Dingle View has been entered to run in a Stakes event. However, the betting will most likely indicate the pecking order of the three. To add further confusion to the Evans' runners, Bathwick Bear was originally entered to run in the Brocklesby Stakes, which, once again, has often been an encouraging sign for this stable.
Babich Bay is worth a mention as this Curtis-trained youngster was entered to run the other day but withdrawn. This colt was quite well backed on that occasion and may be gambled once again.
Lady Brookie will take some beating if running to her form in the Brocklesby Stakes although the price will be restricted and form lines are still unproven, however, there are usually a number of winners come from the race. The Evans' runners are a quandary and it may pay to watch the betting if backing Scarlet Rocks as her initial effort may be from a weak race. Ivan's A Star is an intriguing runner at a price but the jockey booking is difficult to assess and may be a negative, which wouldn't bode well.
An interesting race to test a few form lines.
A watching race.
