A median auction over 5f on good to firm ground.
With fair prize money on offer a sizable field of colt & fillies take part.
Es Que Love was backed as if defeat was out of the question on debut at Ffos Las. He travelled with ease and just as it appeared the race was for the taking veered dramatically to his left, not once, but twice as Ffrench tried to press on. Clearly a juvenile with ability if not an equal measure of unpredictability, Johnston's two year old has strong claims if not engaging a wayward nature. A wide draw is far from ideal and this son of Clodovil can't afford to take an alternative rout at this unforgiving course. An intriguing juvenile who may have suffered first race nerves but probably best watched after those antics.
The well drawn Bop It - closely related to the talented Ladies Are Forever - made his debut at York and showed very good speed for five furlongs. Smart has spoken of this juvenile in promising terms and said he was too free that day. Tiring in the final furlong, that was still a decent effort and this could well be a drop in class. This £40,000 purchase should be primed for a big run and the trainer has good win and place claims with juveniles on their second start. There is always a slight concern with horses dropping back in distance that they may struggle to go the pace but this bay colt looks to have plenty of natural speed.
Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. The stable know their horses and Artist's Corner ran a great race on debut at Doncaster. Amadeus Denton went off big odds on that day and perhaps this filly was slightly overlooked at speculative odds. She was ridden as if fit and ready and lost out in a photo finish. The winner sets a fair standard but may not be anything beyond an average juvenile. Fahey has good win and place claims with his fancied juveniles on their second start and should be respected in what looks to be an open race. This daughter of Dutch Art has a battling spirit which is a positive.
Another filly to show promise over course and distance was Last Bid. A very cheap purchase at 800gns, she was slow from the stalls and had a stiff task fro that point but ran on with real encouragement. Tim Easterby's juveniles have been flying this season and there could be better to come. The form of that debut run is difficult to assess in ways as it has given mixed messages. Clearly the third placed Fulbright improved significantly for that run, to win in style at Musselburgh. The fourth placed Whisky Bravo disappointed at Carlisle. Certainly one for the short list although the wide draw will make this hard work.
Of the others, Liebesziel may run better after a disappointing effort at Ascot. McCabe said he wasn't suited by the front running tactics but is a watching brief.
Conclusion: A low draw is a positive on this turning track over five furlongs. Es Que Love could well be a classy juvenile but may be prone to his antics seen at Ffos Las. For that reason he is probably best watched. Bop It is held in some regard by Smart and should appreciate this drop to the minimum trip and slightly lower opposition. Artist's Corner has set a fair level of form and with improvement fair win and place claims. Last Bid should be respected but the draw is a negative.
HCE: ''An easy win for Es Que Love who didn't have any problems from the high draw and looks a talented juvenile. Kool Henry showed good pace for a comfortable second, while Last Bid ran on to snatch third. Disappointing effort from Bop It.''
