A field of twelve two-year-olds, colts bar one filly, four raced.
King Dragon made an encouraging debut at Newmarket when starting a 25/1 outsider. This bay gelding, a son of Iffraaj, cost 80,000euros as a yearling. After being outpaced, he ran on well to finish third behind Tipping Over. The winner has since been defeated at Stakes class, while the second ran well in the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) before gaining a narrow victory at Salisbury. The sixth has shown promise although the form is rather mixed. He was then sent to Royal Ascot showing little ability in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2). Brian Meehan's youngster has been entered for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2), which indicates the stable hold this youngster in some regard. At present, his first run is the only race to make assessment. He may progress from that initial start but to some extent has something to prove. **Meehan said: ''Unplaced but far from disgraced in the Coventry Stakes. Working well again at home, he should appreciate the easy in grade. Good chance.''
Another Gimcrack entrant is William Knight's Whipper Snapper.This son of Whipper raced on testing ground on debut at Newmarket. He ran well losing by less than a length although there was little between the first five horses. Knight has few winners on debut, which suggests further improvement will be seen today. In recent years, fancied juveniles on their second start have featured no more than fair win a place rate. **Knights said: ''Whipper Snapper is a horse we have always thought a fair bit of.''
Of the other form horses, Marvelino looks held by Fletcher Christian. John Gallagher's representative is no slouch and wasn't disgraced at Royal Ascot when competing in the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed). This well-bred colt has run well on a couple of occasion and seems to like the mud. From a high draw - which could be a positive if racing on the far rail - he is worthy of respect in a field predominately of debutantes.
A number of those making their racecourse appearance come from fashionable stables. However, they will need to be fit and ready against what could be fair form horses. In these testing conditions it could well be a slog.
Richard Hannon fields a couple of juveniles with The Art Of Racing & Dominate. The former was an 87,000gns breeze-up purchase and Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) entrant.This son of Acclamation is owned by Qatar Racing Ltd, who went on something of a spending spree purchasing a number of two-year-olds for Royal Ascot with mixed, if not, disappointing results. This is the first juvenile to be trained by Hannon and with such a wealthy patron you could imagine they will be wishing for a successful start to this partnership. **Hannon said: ''Hughes opted for The Art Of Racing, who has been working well with our good two-year-olds, but Ryan Moore's horse is ok, too.''
Dominate is a home bred out of an unbeaten mare (raced three times). This February foal is worthy of respect. It is often difficult to assess the Hannon juveniles with regard to their status of first or second string. On this occasion I would favour The Art Of Racing although this stable are rarely straightforward.
Surprisingly, Derwent is the first two-year-old runner of the season for Roger Charlton. This well-bred son of Mizzen Mast may need a greater trip in time and best judged by the betting. The stable feature a poor win and place rate with their debutantes but can go well if strongly fancied. If priced 13/2 & less, he holds respectable win and place claims.
*Dutch Masterpiece has been backed on the exchanges, which is often an encouraging sign for this yard. Owner, Richard Green, has done very well with his two-year-olds trained by Gary Moore. In general, the stable rarely win with juveniles making their racecourse bow. However, money talks with this stable and if fancied in the betting they have a live chance. One to watch in the betting.
Paul Cole has had a poor season by his high standard and Dance With Dragons is best watched unless substantially backed.
Conclusion: A difficult race to assess. A flurry of Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) entrants will be needing to make a bold show to have any chance of competing at such lofty heights. King Dragon & Whipper Snapper have shown ability but have question marks. I would have to take a watching brief. The Art Of Racing could go well as I can imagine Hannon's will want to make a bold show with Qatar Racing Ltd. I can see him going well. The betting will tell the story for Derwent & Dutch Masterpiece. If priced 13/2 & less they have fair win and place claims. Experience on this testing ground could be a positive and Fletcher Christian could go well at a price. John Gallagher's youngsters has enough ability to win a race and being from a less fashionable stable may slip by most people's attention.
*NR