A maiden for colts & geldings over 6f on good ground.
With win prize money of £9,704 this will feature a number of talented juveniles.
Warcrown is presently favourite on the exchanges. This chestnut colt by Azamour is clearly held in some regard with entries for the Champagne Stakes (Group 2) & Royal Lodge (Group 2). Mrs H Steel has been a lucky owner for Richard Fahey and particularly noteworthy . The stable know how to prime a debutant and this youngster must have been showing up well on the gallops, which all add to its merit. However, this will be a difficult race to win. As yet unproven, inexperience against talented juveniles will always be a stumbling block. This would take a talented debutant to win a race of this grade and price to chance doesn't make much appeal. A watching brief.
Sequoia ran a great race on debut at Ascot. This 55,000gns yearling is a winner in the making and could take some beating today. This son of Shamardal was a shade unlucky not to win on that first effort, after being short of room. That was a classy race, with a number of highly touted juveniles. The Hills team have done well with their two-year-olds which continue in good form and an entry for the Gimcrack (Group 2) & Champagne Stakes (Group 2) suggest this will be a stepping stone to better things. A juvenile with fair win and place claims.
Richard Hannon has a superb record at Goodwood and their juveniles are cherry picked for these meetings. Moustache is a very handsome colt - one of the best looking two-year-olds I have seen this season - and his backers must have been pulling out their hair when failing to land a blow at odds of 1/3f. This son of Mujadil was a touch keen at Chepstow, which took the edge off any finish connections may have envisaged. He wasn't unduly pressed when he faltered and it could be a mistake to overlook this attractive colt today. The form of his debut has been franked to some extent and although still something to prove, one high on the short list with sound win and place claims.
The stable's other representative Tidy Affair has shown ability but looked a touch outpaced last time at Windsor, before running on stoutly at the line. Perhaps a greater test of stamina would help. Although if this is run at a pace then he could finish with some zeal but there is a concern he will be too far adrift to be competitive.
Of the debutantes Muarrab cost 280,000gns as a yearling and half-brother to Group Therapy. Another worth noting for the future.
Conclusion: An intriguing race with a number of talented juveniles and potential classy types. Experience is a huge advantage and Sequoia, Moustache & Tidy Affair would be at the top of my list. However talented the debutantes may be it would be a superb effort to win against proven juveniles. Sequoia & Moustache have fair win and place claims.
HCE: ''Experience prevailed - but only just. Moustache returned to his best and travelled well and found that winning nod after battling with the debutant Llanarmon Lad (on jockey booking Hills second string). The runner-up must be a talent and although probably fitter than not it was a superb effort. He will be winning soon. Tidy Affair was pretty handy for most and ran well to take 3rd. Sequoia looked pretty good for a place at least but tired in the final furlong. He may have done a little too much in front but most likely run his race.''
