A Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 7f 50y on good to soft ground.
Lady Layla sets the standard after a respectable debut at Thirsk. Bryan Smart's two-year-olds have hit form of late and he is a trainer who has a healthy strike rate with runners on their second start. This daughter of Excellent Art was drawn very wide at Thirsk, which can be quite a tactical course favouring front-running performances, but this youngster showed good pace to sit handy, not lacking in experience. She looked to hold every chance until tiring in the final furlong. It wouldn't pay to imagine there will be huge improvement from that initial start and in truth she has fair claims on that form. A juvenile with a fighting chance although this may not be the most straightforward race.
Lollina Paulina progressed from her debut to show ability at Leicester when stepped up to 6f. Her breeding suggests this stiffer trip will benefit her chances today. This daughter of Holy Roman Emperor is an attractive bay, who doesn't lack for trying. The form of her second start is difficult to assess but there is a possibility that it may have been a fair performance. On paper, this doesn't look the strongest race and she is one to respect. Julie Burke is a capable pilot and this is quite an interesting runner with place claims.
Richard Fahey should always be respected with his debutantes. He is one of few trainers to attain very respectable win and place claims with his fancied runners on their first start. Cosmic Halo comes from a good, staying family which features umpteen winners. The dam was a prolific winner and there is little doubt this daughter of Halling will be victorious at some point in her career. The betting is probably the best guide to chances of The Cosmic Cases new recruit.
Another to appreciate this step up in distance is New Romantic. Julie Camacho's representative was outpaced on debut but plugged on quite well at the line. It is difficult to get a good measure of her capability from that start but she gave the impression there was better to come. The Elite Racing Club are a smart outfit who usually find success with their acquisitions.
Mistress Of Rome looked rather wayward on debut when unseating her rider after darting to her right from the stalls. Her owner, Kevin Kirkup, is generally very lucky and Dods' juveniles have been in good form this season. The stable can win at speculative odd so it could pay to respect this juvenile even though most will not give a second glance after such indifference. It is a strange factor with two-year-olds that sometimes the worse they look on debut the more likely they are to spring a surprise.
Conclusion: This might not be a straightforward race. I am pretty sure Lady Layla will run a big race. She has a leading chance but many of the opposition - however unlikely - cannot be written off as no hopers. Lollina Paulina, Cosmic Halo, New Romantic & Mistress Of Rome are unknown quantities and for that reason should be respected. Lady Layla would get the nod but at the prices I would have to take a watching brief.
HCE: ''An easy win for Lady Layla.''
