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| Cool As You Like |
Newstead Abbey was fancied to run a big race on debut at York. This son of Byron cost 37,000gns and a February foal. David Brown is a fantastic trainer of juveniles and John Fretwell a canny owner. They clearly fancied their chances on debut and if it hadn't been such a competitive race this bay colt may have been an impressive winner. However, he ran a creditable second to Funk Soul Brother. The sixth horse, Bispham Green, was beaten a long way and a worthy measure indicating this form has some clout. The third, Artigiano, ran out an effortless winner at Leicester. He must go to Royal Ascot as a leading light for Godolphin. It may pay to take this juvenile's victory with a pinch of salt because he was so far afield at York that he could well be in a different league to those horses that day. The fourth, Star Of Rohm, was a disappointing odds-on favourite at Ripon but that had as much to do with a wide draw and dropping back to the minimum trip - it didn't suit. On balance, Newstead Abbey looks to have achieved a level of ability and should take an everyday maiden without too much fuss. He sets the standard. The question is what can the opposition serve up?
Requested hails from Mahmood Al Zarooni's stable. This son of Dubawi cost 110,000gns as a yearling. The mare won on debut and ran creditably at Listed class, in a short career. The Godolphin juveniles can vary on their debut efforts. They can win but some show distinct signs of inexperience. Such is the status of this yard that the majority of their horses are relatively short in the betting. The 'Boys In Blue' have such a wealth of horse that nothing is beyond them. However, it will take a fair juvenile to win against experienced opposition. The betting is probably the best guide - shorter the price the stronger the chance. I would take a watching brief.
Brian Meehan has been a little slow with his two-year-olds this season although Smoothtalkinrascal has more than made up for any disappointment and looks a class act. Fantacise - one of two fillies in the field - could well be a talented juveniles. This daughter of Pivotal is out of a mare who has bred two winners of the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 3). This chestnut filly cost 70,000gns at the yearling sales. She ran is a hot Windsor maiden over the minimum trip. The winner and second are both talented types and this youngster showed real promise that day. After playing catch-up for most of the race, she ran on well without being pressed. That initial experience could reveal a juvenile with a touch of class and this extra furlong will be a positive. I am always slightly fearful of fillies racing against the bigger, stronger colts, because it is never an easy task. However, there was much to like about that first run and I feel - if fancied in the betting - a good each way prospect.
Richard Hannon has unveiled a few decent juveniles in the last couple of weeks and Master Of War is a good-looking colt of Compton Place. Purchased by Peter Doyle for 28,000gns, this early foal was pretty unfancied for one of their juveniles on debut; but he made a pleasing introduction, especially considering he was well in rear then made steady progress to sit on the heels of the leading quartet. He is capable of better. The second, Fraserburgh, showed promise on debut and seemed to appreciate the step up in distance. To some extent it is difficult to assess the form although a few seemed to be fancied in the betting and came with reputations. Mast Of War has been entered to run in a Stake race which adds to the hope he has ability although there is still something to prove with the form - as yet - untested. An interesting horse with a chance of progression.
The betting is probably the best guide to the others although the debutantes would need to be talented to win against these experience juveniles.