Richard Hannon fields two juveniles from four possible runners at the declaration stage. It is interesting to note Ryan Moore was booked to ride all horses, which could be an indicator that Sign Of Zodiac is held in some regard. Julie Wood needs little introduction as an owner with the Midas touch. This 24,000gns foal, a grey son of Clodovil, has breeding to enjoy a test of stamina.The betting suggest this colt is the first string. However, it never pays to be too dogmatic with Hannon's stable who can be quite a canny outfit when it suits. Additionally, Dust Whirl is gunning for the team. There is reason to think this son of Bahamian Bounty has ability. He is bred to show more pace than most and a yearling purchase price of £42,000 isn't small change. Like last year's winner, Dust Whirl is owned by David Barker. It is interesting to note that Hannon had this youngster entered for the Brocklesby and since then received another entry to run at Stakes class. These entries suggest that not only is this youngster fit and ready to run but, perhaps, capable of performing at a higher level. The stable's juveniles have been running creditably, although a mixed bag. Their record in this race predicts one of this pair will go well. If Dust Whirl is backed, it might just turn out that he is the key player.
(Update) Hannon's representative said:"We got off to a flyer last year when Magic City won the two-year-old race by six lengths for David Barker, and Dust Whirl carries the same colours this year, so maybe we will get a similar result. "Dust Whirl is a mature Bahamian Bounty colt who is based up at Everleigh, but, while he goes well, so does Sign of the Zodiac, who is owned by Julie Wood. He is a son of Clodovil, who has been doing everything right, but there are several other well-bred horses in the race, and, like all of mine, our two will improve for the experience''.
Mick Channon is represented by a couple of colts: Bungle Inthejungle & Cay Verde.
The former is a bay colt by Exceed And Excel out of a moderate mare, who won a couple of races and very much a sprinter. The mare was similarly owned by Christopher Wright and Bungle Inthejungle was quite expensive at 40,000gns. He is well related being a half-brother to Group Therapy and brother to Waveband. Just a few days shy of his second birthday, this youngster is the more fancied of the Channon duo. The betting is the best guide as the stable have very few two-year-olds win priced over 8/1.
Cay Verde cost £27,000 and out of a multiple-winning mare. Box 41 are a successful syndicate who often find a talented juvenile or two. It is encouraging that this bay colt has been entered for a Stakes race. However, the betting on the exchanges at this time suggests he will need the run.
If Englishman's silks look familiar then you are probably a fan of ex-trainer Peter Winkworth, who retired at the end of last season. This talented handler turns to an able deputy in Charlie Hills. Owned and bred by Winkworth, this bay colt a son of Royal Applause cost £36,000. Hills can train debutante winners although their chances are much improved priced 13/2 & less.
Update: ''On Friday Englishman (by Royal Applause) is likely to run in the two year old race. He is owned by former trainer Peter Winkworth so we're under pressure!! He doesn't look like a typical Royal Applause but goes nicely and we're hopeful of a good show. Again he might not be as wound up as some of the other runners in the field''.
Premier Steps hails from a stable which deserves respect on debut. Tom Dascombe is yet to strike with his first two-year-old winner but a good few have been placed. This bay filly cost £24,000 at the yearling sales and it is encouraging to note she has been entered to run at Stakes class. This is very much a gambling stable and the betting generally tells the story. At this moment she is weak on the exchanges [Thursday, evening] which suggests she may progress with racing. Many of this owner's juveniles are primed to run a big race on their second start.
A similar story may be told for Paul Cole's Charlton Blue. The stable have sent some fair juveniles to run in this race with Memen & Commissar showing promise before tasting victory on their second starts. Cole commented: ''Carlton Blue is probably not fully wound up and he is bred to get further but he is expected to run really well.'' Very few of the stable's debunates win when priced over 8/1. The betting and trainer quote suggest this grey colt will be better on his second start.
Michael Bell sends out his first two-year-old of the season in Fils Anges, a son of Dark Angel. This February foal was purchased at the premier Doncaster yearling Sales for £40,000. Jamie Spencer has bagged the ride and his mount seems fancied on the betting exchanges. The stable can train winning debutantes, although they do not feature the greatest strike rate. However, many of the early juveniles go on to win in their formative season.
Bell said: On Friday we have declared our first two-year-old runner of the season when Fils Anges takes his chance at Newbury. He is a nice horse who has shown encouraging signs at home and hopefully he will give a good account of himself here''.
Smoothtalkingrascal is the first representative of Brian Meehan's stable. This was one of three juveniles entered at the declaration stage. The stable can win on debut although it is usually their most talented type which prevail. Meehan commented: ''This likeable Kodiac colt has proved very sharp in early work. Some other major stables who are traditionally competitive in early-season juvenile contests are represented, but Smoothtalkinrascal, who is well positioned in the centre of the field, carries plenty of stable confidence''.
Ralph Beckett fields Inka Surprise. This youngster was a cheap buy at the yearling sales although the stable can go well with debutantes, often winning at speculative odds.
Edged Out is trained by Bryn Palling - a talented trainer with the few juveniles in his care. This filly is out of Edge Of Light who was a respectable filly for the stable.
Conclusion: A difficult race to call. Richard Hannon has won this race on many occasions and Sign Of Zodiac & Dust Whirl should be respected. It could well pay to tread careful with which of these is first string. Money for Dust Whirl would be a positive after receiving two Stakes race entries, which may prove significant. Bungle Inthejungle would hold fair win and place claims if 13/2 & less, although the stables's juveniles feature a much higher strike rate on their second start. Fils Anges could go well for Michael Bell, while Smoothtalkingrascal comes here with ''stable confidence''. Inka Surprise hails from a stable which can win at speculative odds on debut but a cheap purchase. There are likely to be a few winners come from this race and Charlton Blue could go well on his second start.
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