An EBF maiden over 6f 212y on good ground.
Quite a interesting race.
Esentepe comes here after running a big race at Royal Ascot in the Chesham Listed Stakes. This daughter of Oratorio is a big filly who has progressed well for a trip and likely favourite today. This is a drop in class and Hannon's youngster sets a level of form if replicating that running. She had shown a willing attitude at Newbury over 6f, when losing out to Poetic Dancer and has fair claims.
Marcus Tregonning has had a quiet start to the season with his two-year-olds but Bronze Angel - a bay colt by Dark Angel - has enough ability to win a race this term. He is an attractive juvenile, who was given a very easy introduction at Goodwood. Considering such a relaxed start to his career, he was quite well fancied on his second start at Goodwood. Clearly the experience had done him the world of good and to finish third, behind two talented juveniles trained by Richard Hannon, showed promise. This step up to 7f may bring about further improvement and a good each way bet if prices allow.
Whinging Willie was an eye catcher at Sandown. After a slow start, and completely outpaced, this son of Cape Cross fairly flew home. Although difficult to asses, on breeding this this step up to 7f should suit and it would be a brave soul to say Gary Moore's representative couldn't go close today.
Another form horse that may be capable of better is Henry Candy's Merv. This bay colt, an 18,000gns purchase, was well backed on debut at Windsor. After dwelling at the start, he found trouble in running and gradually lost his place to a point where he was never competitive. Candy doesn't feature a very good win rate with his fancied runners on debut but it is often a sign they have a level of ability. At speculative odds, Merv has fair place claims and worthy of note.
Conclusion: Esentepe will be the idea of a good bet for many and she certainly deserves to be favourite on a creditable effort at Royal Ascot. She has fair claims but may make a couple of the opposition decent each way bet if prices allow. Bronze Angel is definitely capable of winning a race or two this season and Tregoning will be expecting a big run. A good-looking colt with respectable win and place claims. Whinging Willie is an unknown quantity but there was much to like about the way he finished on debut over a distance which didn't suit. There could be substantial improvement to come over this trip and one for the short list. At speculative odds Merv is worth a second chance after being backed on debut.
HCE: ''The curse of the punter - stable second strings foiling the favourite. In truth, Graphic was quite well backed and certainly progressed from his debut. Esentepe done little wrong in second and is a fair filly, who was clear of Bronze Angel in third.''
