An EBF Maiden fillies Stakes over 5f 10y on good going. Ten runners: three raced, debutantes from a mix of trainers.
Dream Dreamer is a good-looking daughter of first-season sire Dream Ahead out of a Listed placed and group raced mare. This February foal looks a bargain yearling buy at £35,000. Jamie Osborne always buys a good, physical specimen and this bay is held in some regard by connections. There was talk of this juvenile going to the Marygate Listed Stakes at York so this looks an realistic detour. She ran well on debut over course and distance in a fair race and then a little keen when setting the pace for a long way in a strong Ascot maiden. If available at each-way price is a decent bet.
John Bridger doesn't train many two-year-olds but a capable handler when given the ammunition. Stormflower has ability but too keen to do herself justice on both starts to date. Temperamental horses can be hard work and betting on them is something you should only consider only at big odds. It will be intriguing to see which tactics are employed as stall one is a perfect draw to try and lead all the way. This daughter of Arcano has the pace to give a bold show but it would greatly improve her chances if settled. That looks unlikely, which is a shame as she has enough ability to win a small race. The tissue odds on Sporting Life detail she will be a 13/2 shot. That doesn't inspire. I would rather lay this horse at 1.01 in-running and hope she gains an impressive lead and tires rapidly.
Nidnod hasn't been seen on course since making her debut at Newmarket over 5f. Hugo Palmer does well with his two-year-old string and talented. This Irish-bred daughter of Myboycharlie cost 30,000GNS at the yearling sales. She was quite fancied on debut, showing good pace before being bumped and eased in the closing stages. The most prominent thought from that day is that she is a very small filly. The form of that race has been franked in some respects. A difficult filly to assess. Hugo Palmer does pretty well with his juveniles when fancied on their second start when priced 13/2 & less. If within this betting guide this horses would have fair each way claims but if weak in the market I would take a watching brief.
The first juvenile of the season for Hughie Morrison. It is interesting to see him have an early two-year-old because they have proven to be future winners although very few win on debut. Cinders is a daughter of Lilborne Lad and cost 62,000eur at the yearling sales [70,000gns foal]. The only exception to the rule that this stable's juvenile debutantes can win is if they are priced 14/1 & less in the betting if not 10/1 & less. They have a fighting chance. In addition, it is worth noting that just about all of Morrison's early horses go on to win in their two-year-old careers. I would definitely take note of this juvenile on its second start at any odds.
One trainer who can be a powerhouse with debutantes is Roger Varian. Gwendolyn, a January foal sired by Invincible Spirit out of a twice-listed winning mare was fancied in the betting when making her debut at Ascot in a very hot race. She was withdrawn after refusing to go in the stalls. I would be surprised if this bay filly didn't have ability. If priced 13/2 & less has sound each way claims.
Richard Hannon needs little introduction at this course - it's a hunting ground for winners. Stroke Of Midnight is a daughter of Dark Angel owned by Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds who always register with top-flight horses. They are not the kind of people to have two-year-olds in training unless they can win. This yearling cost 45,000euro. A wide draw isn't ideal but a stable to respect.
Robert Eddery is a canny trainer and is worth noting with his two-year-olds. He has fielded one debut winner this season. Bedazzling Lady was purchased by the trainer at the Breeze-up sales for £16,000. In general, the stable doesn't have first time out winners and unless seriously backed I'd take a watching brief.
Bourne Symphony, Clever Divya & Q Ten Girl are best watched.
Conclusion: A fascinating race. Dream Dreamer sets a decent standard and if prices allow is a sound each-way bet. Gwendolyn wasn't on her best behaviour at Ascot when withdrawn. However, we have an opportunity that day to glean she was one of the major fancies. I can't imagine Varian sending her there without knowing she has ability. If priced 13/2 & less I'd be quite fearful of this juvenile. Difficult to assess Bedazzling Lady but respected. Cinders is worth noting for the future. Nidnod may have each way claims if 13/2 & less. A small horse who is difficult to assess. I'd lay Stormflower in-running at short odds. If an huge outsider I may have backed her to win but at short odds this horse looks a good lay bet to me [1.2 & less]. Dream Dreamer & Gwendolyn look the best bets.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f 10y on good going. Ten two year olds take part: one gelding, fiver colts & four fillies. Two juveniles have race experience. A selection of top trainers.
Last year this race was won by talented colt Justice Good, trained by David Elsworth. He won this race on his second start achieving three victories with a best performance when fourth behind The Wow Signal - beaten less than three lengths - in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot.
Good to see Paul Cole's allegiance with Mrs Fitri Hay going strong. Archimedes is a bay colt sired by Invincible Spirit out of a talented multiple-winning mare [Waveband] who won at Listed class. This bay cost 240,000 at the yearling sales when purchased by Hugo Merry Bloodstock. Whatcombe Estate have fair win and place claims with debutantes 8/1 & less although few prove victorious outside that betting guide. Fitri Hay's two year olds always demand respect.
Mark Johnston has a huge string of two year olds this season and already has potentially smart juveniles with the likes of Buratino, Rah Rah & Delizia. Bathos is sired by Poet's Voice out of a twice-winning mare [Santolina] who won at Listed class and far from disgraced at Group 1. Bathos was purchased as a foal for 62,000gns, racing in the familiar silks of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. The Johnston debutantes are a law unto themselves and although respected I'd take a watching brief. A wide draw makes life a little more difficult.
Charles Hills fields his first juveniles of the season at a course he has sent a number of decent horses. Shanghai Glory is a chestnut son of Exceed And Excel out of a winning mare who enjoyed a trip. This colt cost 115,000 at the yearling sales. The stable have fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less.
Their other runner is the bay filly High Speed. She is a daughter of Kodiac out of a winning mare. This juvenile cost 65,000gns from BBA Ireland and half-sister to Mary Fildes. Similar comments apply to their other horse.
David Evans has two horses: the once-race filly Silver Springs & the debutante colt Silver Wings.
*Silver Springs has course and distance experience and quite well backed when racing just over a week ago. This grey filly wandered and her jockey eased down in the closing stages when all chance had gone. It wouldn't be the biggest surprise to hear that much better was expected. The form of that first race may be fair but much more is needed here.
Silver Wings hails from the same stable and interesting because this grey colt, a son of Zebedee out of a French-raced mare, held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster. Raj To Riches held a similar engagement and suffered a narrow loss at Windsor on his racecourse bow. This 17,000 yearling purchase has a good draw and worth noting in the betting. This March foal could well be subject of a gamble. Interesting.
The other form horse is trained by Brendan Powell and ridden by Fergus Sweeney. Sparky Jack was sent off 40/1 when racing on debut in a competitive maiden at Newbury. The first three or four horses have fair ability. This son of Holy Roman Emperor was purchased at the yearling sales by the trainer for 5,500gns. This bay colt was never competitive and although experience is advantageous a watching brief is advised.
Dream Dreamer is trained by Jamie Osborne. This bay filly is the oldest in the field [14th Jan] by first-season sire by Dream Ahead out of a Listed-placed mare costing £35,000 at the yearling sales. On balance, the stable have few debut winner. It is interesting to see Frankie Dettori taking the ride. Best watched.
Mark Usher isn't renowned for debut winners although his horses can run well at a price. Indigo is an early foal [9th Feb]. This grey filly is a daughter of Medicean out of an unraced mare. This horse didn't go through the sales ring. An extreme draw isn't the best start. Best watched.
Deer Song is trained by John Bridger and the only gelding in the field. The stable usually have limited two year olds although their debutante Stormflower ran well on her racecourse bow. Best watched.
Conclusion: An interesting race. The form horses need to improve although Silver Springs may be capable of better and may be backed. I'm quite interested in David Evan's debutante Silver Wings who held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes. The stable can ready a two year old and likely to be fit. Watch the betting. If backed could go well. A low draw is a positive. The other debutantes are best judge by the market. Archimedes is well bred from a noted owner. The stable can win first time out and this bay colt has fair win and place claims if priced 8/1 & less. Charles Hills' juveniles often go well here and Shanghai Glory and High Speed have fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less. The others are best watched.
*NR [Silver Springs]
