The Norfolk Stakes Group 2 over 5f on good to firm going. A select field of eleven two-year-old colts. If the betting is to be believed this is a two-horse race. With the exception of Ajaya [20/1] this looks a match between Richard Hannon's prized juveniles: King Of Rooks & Log Out Island. As always, money rules, and both have been purchased by leading owners at astronomical sums to fly the respective flags of leading connections Al Shaqab Racing & Godolphin. King Of Rooks has progressed since his debut when third behind Steady Pace, reversing the form at Sandown in emphatic style. The form of the National Stakes with Buratino going on to win the Coventry Stakes Group 2 [admittedly stepping up to 6f], and Steady Pace a narrow defeat when third in the Windsor Castle Stakes Listed adds to the assessment this son of Acclamation out of a Group 3 winning mare [placed at Group 1] has a superbly fast horse in King Of Rooks. Priced at odds of even money there isn't too much meat on the bone and for me these are races to watch and enjoy. This should be a race to savoir.
A Maiden Stakes over 1m 1y on standard going for three and four-year-old colts & fillies. Eight lightly-raced thoroughbreds take part from leading stables. A difficult race to assess with a good few likely to progress with experience - but one horse does have some appeal. Wajeeh should make a bold show after a promising debut over course and distance. This three-year-old chestnut gelding is trained by Richard Hannon, racing in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing. A son of Raven's Pass, he cost 250,000gns at Tattersalls October Sales 2013. This January foal finished a respectable third on debut when ridden by Martin Dwyer and should improve on that first start. It is a plus to see Frankie Dettori takes the ride, his only mount of the day. Silent Thunder is one of the main dangers, being fancied to go well on all three starts to date but chopping and changing distance suggests William Haggis' colt is just ordinary and an official rating of 70 reflects that opinion. Looking at the exchanges, Wajeeh is shorter than the tissue prices suggested (9/4) - most likely odds-on. Remember it pays to look at bookmaker prices and especially free bets. Use this promo code to get a free £25 matched bet at William Hill. The betting suggests this expensive purchase will be very hard to beat.
