An EBF maiden for colts and fillies over 6f.
A number of form horses oppose here and the debutantes will need to be pretty smart to win this on their racecourse bow.
Bunce has been knocking on the door and unlucky not to have won a race in his four starts, only denied by a few talented sorts. Hannon tries this bay colt by Good Reward over 6f today. Connections must feel this step up in distance will suit although this two-year-old hasn't shown any problems with pace over the minimum distance. Perhaps this trip will bring about improvement although with quite stiff competition Bunce may find one or two better.
A breeze-up buy at £40,000, Fight The Chance, a son of Elusive City, seemed to improve for the drop back to 6f on his second start at Salisbury. The first three pulled clear of the field and the winner, Royal Exchange, who only won by a narrow margin - although could have won by further if pressed - is a talented two-year-old. Channon's youngster was fading in the final strides but looks a consistent type and should run a big race today.
Reg Hollinshead has only had one two-year-old runner so far this season - but he made it a good one in the shape of Restless Bay. Another son of Elusive City and a breeze-up purchase at 22,000gns, this brown colt has plenty of size and scope. To beat Alfraamsey on debut was a pleasing start to his career and although a long way behind Formosina, the winner went on to win the Railway Stakes (Group 2) at the Currugh on his next start. Clearly connections hold Restless Bay in some regard as he is entered for the Gimcrack (Group 2) and even though that is the first declaration stage it is a positive sign. Owner, John Marriott has owned a few decent horses - Flowing Cape to name one - and the Hollinshead team must be excited by the potential of this two-year-old. He ran on with some purpose on debut after showing inexperience and there should be improvement to come. This two-year-old has ability to win a maiden and if a little more streetwise today could run a big race.
The Richard Fahey bandwagon continues with two more juvenile winners yesterday at Redcar. Blaze Of Thunder is a good-looking colt by Ad Valorem, a breeze-up costing £26,000. This two-year-old showed a professional attitude to racing after a slow start at Ripon over 5f. That was a fair race and he led the far side until tiring in the final furlong but still showed promise. As with many of the trainer's two-year olds, he looked pretty fit for his debut but will be wiser for the experience. Connections are keen to go this extra furlong and you have to consider they know best. Blaze Of Thunder looks to have enough ability to win a race but this could well be a pretty stiff contest. The experience and potential improvement for 6f could make a difference but may need to find a little more against this field.
Last but not least is Squires Gate, who has not been seen since finishing 3rd on the first day of the season in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster. There must have been a problem along the way to been off course for such a duration but this colt has proven ability. Hills has a 30% win rate at the course and if fit and ready can not be ignored.
Other races:
2:40 Warwick
2:50 Sandown
3:25 Sandown
6:50 Beverley
7:45 Haydock (seller)
