An EBF fillies' maiden over 6f.
Hidden Passion has been well backed on the exchanges and likely to go off favourite. Brian Meehan has been in fair form and a recent blog post of this juvenile said: '' A very nice Elusive Quality filly who goes very well at home. She should run a big race but may just need the outing.'' Andrew Rosen - owner/breeder- has many quality horses and this one was sent to the sales but not sold for $95,000. She is a half-sister to a number of winners including Rainbow Promises, who won impressively on debut. Recently, Hidden Passion has been entered to run in a Stakes race which is an added sign of encouragement. This juvenile is likely to have a fair level of ability but winning on debut is no easy feat, especially against experienced opposition and even more so at Kempton which can be an unforgiving course. Being slow from the stalls, failing to cope with the bend or running wide are all problems waiting to happen. Experience is worth a lot around here. Meehan can win with his debutantes. However, these are usually classy types. I would rather watch and learn a little more today because this course is more suiting to experienced horses.
Noel Quinlan knows how to train a horse and Lemon Rock was fancied to run a big race on debut at Newmarket. An attractive daughter of Green Desert, she has fair breeding out of a Listed class winner and is clearly held in some regard by connections. That initial start gave hope of taking a race of this nature and that experience will have done her the world of good. Adam Kirby rode this filly on debut but Ryan Moore was booked early. On balance, this would seem a positive although it is interesting that Kirby - who rode her on debut - partners Colourful Notion, trained by Marco Botti. The form of the Newmarket race is fair behind Royal Blush and Lemon Rock must have fair win and place claims.
Marco Botti has been quiet on the two-year-old front but Colourful Notion is an interesting sort. This daughter of Danehill Dancer was well backed on debut at Lingfield but after a slow start and then being badly hampered, it is a race best forgotten. The form of that debut is probably moderate. However, it would be unwise to write off this filly after that sole start. An attractive bay, it was encouraging she was fancied to go well in a race that I am sure Botti had sent decent juveniles in previous year. Even though poorly drawn, it would be no surprise to see Colourful Notion well backed. It is intriguing to consider if Kirby had the choice of riding Lemon Rock. This could be a dark horse.
Richard Hannon has a couple of juveniles entered for this. The debutante - Essexvale - is probably best judged by the betting. The more experienced filly, Tina's Spirit, could show marked improvement over this 6f. She was run off her feet at Salisbury when second string but gave the impression there was much more to come and although her finishing position was nothing to crow about, today could see a different horse. Not the easiest to assess but she showed potential on debut and one to keep on the right side of today.
Represent is one of those horses that tempts people to bet. Channon's filly ran well on debut at Ascot - when unlucky not to win - but disappointed next time at short odds. For what ever reason she didn't look at all happy at Haydock, hanging for most and awkward. Perhaps there was a good reason for that display? In ways it seemed too bad to be true. It would give hope if there was good support in the betting but I wouldn't be encouraged after that last running. Additionally, the form of the Ascot race has not been upheld by a number of runners - Toffee Tart, just to name one. A decent price. But best watched.
Conclusion: Hidden Passion is the buzz horse for this race. If she is as good as recent winner Shumoos inexperience and this idiosyncratic course may not hold any fears. However, this is unlikely to be an easy introduction. Meehan doesn't feature the best win rate with his two-year-old debutantes and this course brings many concerns. She may go well. But a horse I would rather watch. Lemon Rock has fair claims and should be in the frame and battling for a win. Represent should be respected but needs to put a disappointing effort behind her. Tina's Spirit could go well over this 6f. It wouldn't surprise me if Colourful Notion was well backed at some point. This is a good looking filly and although something to prove could be the dark horse.
HCE: ''An eventful race with Lemon Rock rearing over backward and withdrawn before the start and Hidden Passion pulled up with what looked to be an injury (hopefully not serious). With these two incidents it looked an open affair and Hawfinch - an unfancied debutante from John Gosden's stable - ran from off the pace to gain a tidy win. Represent led but faded at the finish. Colorful Notion touched huge odds on in running (1.04) when looming up before failing to live up to those initial hopes while Rockme Cockney plugged on at big odds.''
