Fair prize money on offer and potentially a competitive race.
Andrew Balding has a fine record with his two-year-olds at Salisbury and *Marishi Ten has a proven a level of form. This bay filly, a daughter of Invincible Spirit, cost 70,000euros at the yearling sales and held in some regard by connections. She started her career in a competitive Newbury Conditions Stakes. In the able hands of Liam Keniry, we saw a superb debut effort against a field of talented fillies. There is little doubt this youngster will be winning before too long, if not today. Balding's juveniles often improve for the experience and a bold show should be expected.
*Flirtinaskirt is a very early foal, born in January. This daughter of Avonbridge was unfancied in the betting when competing in a fillies' maiden at Leicester over 5f. Make no mistake that was a good race and an even better performance considering it was her first start. The winner, Mary's Daughter, may have been a 50/1 shot but she went on to compete at Royal Ascot's Albany Stakes (Group 3). Ed McMahon is one of my favourite trainers and he is someone you can rely upon to hit the mark. The stable's two-year-olds have been in good form of late and there could be improvement to come. On that Leicester form, she has the ability to win a race but this is tough, especially with Marishi Ten on the prowl.
The last of the experienced juveniles is Jollification. This bay filly, trained by George Baker, was fancied to go well on debut at Thirsk but wasn't best suited by a wide draw. The form of that race has been franked. The fourth, Ighraa, was beaten by Flirtinaskirt which suggests Jollification is held. It is possible she could improve and the betting is probably the best indicator. If priced 13/2 & less (unlikely) I would expect a much-improved performance.
Although the debutantes hail from top-notch trainers they will need to be pretty smart to win over this minimum trip.
Red Four is a relatively cheap purchase with breeding which suggests a stiffer test of stamina is needed. George Baker doesn't feature the best win rate on debut best watched.
Ralph Beckett does well at this course and he is one trainer who can win with debutantes at speculative-priced odds. City Girl, a daughter of Elusive City, is worthy of respect, especially if backed. However, I would take a watching brief.
The betting will be the best guide to Contradict (130,00gns), Hayyona (145.000gns) & Everleigh. Each hold fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less. However, they will need to be primed to win.
*NR: Flirtinaskirt, Marishi Ten (pretty much ruined this race analysis with these two withdrawn)
As the 2:20 Salisbury post has been undermined by non runners I will add one of our popular Yankeeyou (all my selections). I am pretty confident this will show a profit :-)