A median auction stakes over 6f on good ground.
Fair prize money on offer and a competitive field of colts and fillies.
Discression will go off a hot favourite after a powerful debut. Clearly this colt by Indesatchel had been showing ability on the gallops as he was very well backed against proven form horse Swiss Spirit, who was narrowly defeated on debut at Newmarket. Ryan's two-year-olds have been in sparkling form this reason and this 30,000gns yearling purchase must be quite high in the pecking order. A Gimcrack (Group 2) entry suggests that loftier plans are considered for the future and this may be a stepping stone to such engagements. A tough nut to crack but a race that may be far from a non event.
The betting is generally a good indicator to ability for the Fahey juveniles and for Ladys First to be so short in the betting connections must be hoping for a big race. Mrs Steel has owned a number of very talented juveniles with the stable and she always seems to have a touch of luck on her side. A 16,000gns foal, she was last bought for 100,000euros. One of few fillies against a field of colts, this daughter of Dutch Art will need to be primed to win but is certainly one to watch for the future.
With two relatively fancied juveniles heading the betting, it may be a race where each way value is on offer. Sunrise Dance may have slipped under the net because that last run at Lingfield was a pretty strong effort. The winner has run at Royal Ascot, the second running respectably at Newmarket in Listed company and the fourth and fifth both winning on their next starts. Alan Jarvis' filly has a slightly awkward leg action. She has quite a stiff-looking running style with her front legs. However, that doesn't seem to stop her from going forward and this daughter of Monsieur Bond has a battling attitude. Clearly this is no easy task. However, at speculative odds she has fair each way claim.
Of the others, Whinging Willie isn't devoid of ability. After being outpaced at 5f and perhaps not seen to his best at 7f, this middle ground may be more suiting. It is interesting to see Ryan Moore taking the ride for his father. In ways, that last run seemed a little disappointing but one to consider for place claims.
Choisan is a big, strong juvenile who may have benefited for a little time on the sidelines. His form is respectable but more may be needed today.
HCE: ''For much of this race it looked a battle between Discression & Sunrise Dance. The latter was a touch too keen to do herself justice and may have won if keeping that zeal for the finish. As it turned out, Ladys First, trained by Richard Fahey, ran on best of all and won by just over a length. Discression held on for second and Choisan pipped Sunrise Dance at the line.''
