An EBF maiden over 7f.
Major Art will go off favourite for this after a promising debut at Newmarket when finishing 5th. Hannon's string remains is superb form and it is encouraging that this son of Compton Place, a 95,000gns breeze-up purchase, has been given a stakes race entry. A fluent runner, this two-year-old will be a bit wiser today from a good draw. The form of the Newmarket race - although likely to be decent with nearly £10,000 to the winner - is still a little unproven so it may pay to be a little cautious at short odds. Certainly an interesting juvenile from a stable that can do little wrong.
Chris Wall is a clever trainer and good at placing his horses. Midnight Rider a bay colt by Red Ransom should improve for his debut at Doncaster and this 7f. This two-year-old was relatively fancied on debut and a little keen, showing signs of inexperience, but an element of ability. This extra furlong should give him the edge over Silken Thoughts who finished upsides and a progressive sort. If fancied in the betting, this bay colt should run a big race.
Dennis Coakley has been in fine form with the small string of two-year-olds and Hard Bargain was narrowly beaten at Salisbury on debut over 6f. That was an average maiden - but good enough to give him a shout - and this step up to 7f should help. This colt by Refuse To Bend looked fit and ready that day and may have to find a little more to win but a juvenile that should be respected.
Of the debutantes, Christmas Aria is an interesting runner. Simon Dow is often forgotten but this colt by Oratorio could turn out to be a Christmas Cracker - the name of the mare - as this 30,000gns yearling has been given a stakes race entry and Seb Sanders is a significant jockey booking. The draw is not ideal and inexperience makes any juvenile winning on debut a tough ask but at a price I can see this two-year-old running a fair race today and certainly one to note for the future.
Other races:
1:45 Newbury
1:50 Ripon
1:55 Newmarket
2:25 Ripon
3:20 Newbury
6:20 Lingfield
6:40 Haydock
7:10 Haydock