The Breathe Spa At Marriott Lingfield Maiden Stakes over 6f. A small field of four runners but a fascinating race in its own way. Three raced juveniles, from leading stables, with one debutante. Two colts race two fillies on this standard surface.
Star Of Rohm is a familiar horse to many punters, mostly for being beaten favourite, which has happened on three of his seven starts to date. In fact, bar his debut, he has started 7/1 or less on all contests. By all accounts this son of Exceed And Excel has plenty enough ability to win a maiden but he's clearly a quirky character. He has gone close on numerous occasions, but never quite looking as though he will prevail at the business end. This chestnut gelding cost 32,000gns as a yearling and it is a positive Michael Bell's charge is still in the ownership of Whitehead & Lomas. There have been plenty of sales to have given up the ghost so that must be taken as sign they envisage victory this season.
He was a beaten favourite on his last start at Wolverhampton back in October. After an absence of over one hundred days you have to take his fitness on trust. However, Bell has stated that their horses are in fantastic form and this youngster has been ridden at home by Jamie Spencer on the Al Bahatri gallops. Star Of Rohm's strength is his natural pace. On a number of starts he has traveled with ease and has certainly traded at short odds on a regular basis.
This trip looks ideal and it could well suit him racing on this turning course. There is no doubt this gelding is a the type of horse which could turn your hair grey overnight. However, this looks a fine opportunity to get off the mark. Even though he is likely to start one of the favourites I would be tempted to place a lay bet in running at huge odds on just in case he looks a certainty and throws in the towel.
Conclusion: To be fair this looks a fine opportunity for Star Of Rohm to win his first race but at short odds he is probably a watching brief unless you want to get your heart racing. I can see him traveling like a winner but the question is whether he has that winning attitude.
