An EBF maiden race over 6f on good ground.
Quite an interesting race with a mix of form horses and debutantes.
Brian Meehan's two-year-olds are in much better form now and Hero From Zero is a likely improver after starting a 50/1 outsider in a decent maiden at Windsor. This bay colt by Invincible Spirit ran well for much of that race before tiring in the final furlong and should strip a lot fitter today. An entrant for the Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2), a big run will be needed to have any hopes of competing at a higher level. A lively chance.
Ice Cool Bex is another colt of interest. The McBride stable is a professional outfit and know their horses. It bodes well that this son of Iceman ran at Newmarket on debut and significant that Fallon was booked early for this ride. A very cheap buy at 800gns, Ice Cool Bex is an attractive colt and wasn't pressed on debut to run a fair race against a few talented/experienced juveniles. McBride has a fair win and place rate with his fancied juveniles on their second start and should be respected if backed.
Another two-year-old with a similarly progressive profile is Proper Charlie trained by William Knight. Quite an expensive buy at 58,000gns as a yearling and half-brother to Bahia Breeze, this is a good-looking bay with size and scope for improvement. Relatively fancied for a tough Yarmouth maiden, this son of Cadeaux Genereux is dropping back a furlong today. Knight should have this two-year-old fit and ready for his second start and I would be surprised if this youngster doesn't win a race this season. On looks alone, this is a fair sort. If relatively fancied in the betting, a big run should be on the cards.
Of the debutantes, Janood has been supported on the exchanges. Costing 150,000gns, this son of Medicean comes from the in-form Saeed Bin Suroor - whose last 3 out of 4 debutantes have won. Godolphin's two-year-olds are never easy to assess on debut but they usually fire in a few winners this time of the year and there seems a good deal of confidence behind this runner.
Of the rest, Labarinto hails from Michael Stoute's stable. An entrant for the Champagne Stake (Group 2) and Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) this Adulla-owned two-year-old should be respected. It has been noticeable that many of the stable's youngsters have been improving for the run and the betting should be informative to the chances of this runner. Very few juveniles win over 13/2 on debut for this stable.
Not the easiest race to assess with a number pf progressive types who are likely to leave debut runs behind them. The betting will be informative to the respective chances of most. Hero To Zero comes from a stable that has finally hit form and should run a big race. If fancied in the betting Ice Cool Bex has strong place claims.
Other races:
2:25 Thirsk
4:00 Goodwood
4:35 Goodwood
5:30 Bath
6:45 Haydock
7:00 Newmarket
7:20 Haydock
