The Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes over 5f. (5th May)
Always a fascinating race with some of the speediest two-year-olds of the season taking their chance for win prize money of over £13,000.
Ability and draw bias are the key factors.
Bathwick Bear is considered by David Evans to be faster than Star Rover who he trained to win this race last year. This tiny colt by Kodiac has plenty of pace and must run a big race. Evans also saddles Dingle View a filly who won with ease at Salisbury at the weekend and a tidy victory at Doncaster. This daughter of Mujadil has a touch of class and finishes her races extremely well. On form she looks to have little chance with Bathwick Bear who beat her a long way on debut but she didn't have anything go right that day and is capable of much better. Whether she will have the natural speed of some of these from the gates in questionable, however, Dingle View has a lively chance against a talented stablemate. (It may be wise to take into account that she had a run only a few days ago as this can sometimes leave horses a little tired.) The third of Evans' runners, Little Libretto, won a poor stakes race and looks out of her depth from an unfavourable draw.
Gay Kelleway must have been pleased with the ease that Primo Lady won on debut. The addition of the visor probably put people off but this is an accessory she uses to enhance her juveniles rather than in response to temperament. From a low draw, this compact filly must be respected and could run a big race and features well in the weights.
Tom Dascombe has not achieved the greatest of starts to his two-year-old campaign and although Coconut Ice has natural speed she has a seemingly impossible task to beat Bathwick Bear and wanders under pressure. Julius Geezer may be suited by this turning 5f but he seems to struggle to finish his races.
Alan Bailey knows a classy two-year-old when he sees one, but So Is She will need be very forward and talented to not be left at the start.
This looks out of Bathwick Bear, Dingle View and Primo lady.