A Class 6 3yo 0-65 rated handicap over 5f 216y on standard going. A small field of six horses take part: two fillies take on less than a handful of geldings. By all accounts poor horses who - for the most part - have struggled to get their head in front.
Tim Pitt knows what it takes to train a winner and Emerald Breeze is likely to start a short price for this contest after winning comfortably over course and distance last time out. This bay filly, a daughter of Tagula, looked very well in with a lowly official rating of 46, although clearly mocking her counterparts in a 0-55 rated handicap. It really doesn't get much lower than that level. However, this youngster could well be many punter's idea of a handicap blot. Three runs with Charlie Hills at two saw this February foal show no sign of ability. Considering she is out of a multiple-winning mare and cost £28,000 at the yearling sales connection would have been expecting more. McKeever Bloodstock purchased her for £1,000 at the two-year-old Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale. That looks a superb buy. Raised 6lb for that tidy victory only time will tell if that was the worst race every seen! Or that Pitt will have a string of wins out of her before you can shout Cheltenham Festival. Certainly a horse to respect and a horse many will fancy to back a winner with BetBright.
Another horse to have been stable hopping is Rose Buck. This daughter of Acclamation is quite well related. Formerly with Paul Cole, Lee Carter, now Giles Bravery takes charge. This bay filly has been kept busy and although limited a determined horse. That can be worth a lot at this grade and it proved the case when she won at maiden level over 6f at Lingfield. I couldn't help smile, as she hadn't quite managed to win at handicap or plating class. It just shows that there is little competition at times. The day after that win she was sold at Tattersalls February Sale for 7,500gns. Lady luck was looking down on connections because they clearly timed that race with teh sales in mind - the win was a double bonus. Raised just 3lb for that victory, new owner Mrs K Austin could have a live chance. A rather unfurnished filly, she can sit handy and runs doggedly to the line. There is always a slight concern when a horse changes stables, and after a month off course, you have to put your trust in the trainer to have them fit and ready. If odds allow I'd fancy her to be in the first two.
El Duque drops back a furlong after showing some form of late. Bill Turner's charge has risen a few pounds over his last three races but shouldn't be far away.
Coiste Bodhar has gone close a few times and fairly weighed.
Under Approval and Soul Instinct are best watched.
Conclusion: A poor race and where recent form is a plus. As it happens, a few of these have been competing well and connections will be hopeful. Emerald Breeze could be thrown in at these weights and may cruise home. On the other side, you have to worry she won a hopeless race. If a short priced favourite I'd rather take a watching brief. It could be a day where the fairer sex show the boys a thing or two. Rose Buck is tough, for a girl! Make no mistake she has her limitations but you'd go some way to find a more determined soul. If each way odds are available she could prove a tough nut to crack.
A restricted maiden auction stakes over 5f. Five colts take part, two raced. Experience counts for a lot at this time of the season. El Duque & Far Gaze both showed promise when making their debutes at Lingfield & Wolverhampton, respectively. The former is trained by Bill Turner who has the talented Mick's Yer Man, winner of two stakes races.
El Duque, a son of Byron, was quite fancied on debut when ridden by Ryan While. This yearling cost 3,500gns when purchased by the trainer. He didn't have much luck on his racecourse bow when checked in the early stages, which meant he was always on the back foot. I think his jockey resigned himself to a considerate introduction but this bay ran on with some spirit in the closing stages giving the impression he could have finished closer if all had gone to plan. As it happens, the form of that race has been franked with the fifth and sixth winning next start and the seventh running a sterling race at kempton. Considering El Duque was in front of those horses he must be respected in what is most likely an ordinary race.
On form Far Gaze looks to have a stiff task beating the above mentioned. This American bred colt, sired by Belmont, was pretty much thrashed by Stan Moore's Outback Lover who succumb to El Duque on her initial start. By all accounts Far Gaze needs to improve a good number of length to put down any challenge. However, two-year-old horses often improve considerably for their first start and I get the feeling this bay colt will show up well today. He is a fair-looking juvenile for this grade. A tardy start cost him any chance at Wolverhampton. It is interesting to note that this youngster has been entered to run in two stakes race, which indicates the stable have plans. A Brocklesby entry went amiss after the ground turned for the worse at Doncaster. The Brocklesby has been a fair pointer to the stable's better early juveniles in previous seasons and most ran creditably on their second start. The majority improved quite markedly.
The debutantes wouldn't need to be anything special to win although they will most certainly need to be primed. It is never easy for juveniles to win on their first start.
Red House is probably best watched.
Alan McCabe is a trainer to respect with his juveniles and Red Warrior cost 8,000gns. The owners, Premspace, have had winning horses with Ed McMahon. Money is often the key pointer for this stable. In general, they feature a poor strike rate with their debutantes although when fancied they can go close. In such a small field it is difficult to assess the market as bookmakers will be unwilling to push the prices too far unless they consider a horse has next to no hope. I would take a watching brief unless seriously backed.
Tyrsal is trained by Robert Eddery who certainly knows how to train a horse. They have had a few horse well backed on debut and they are a canny outfit. If backed this son of Jeremy is worth noting.
Conclusion: Small fields don't enthrall me as value races. On form El Duque looks every inch a winner and could take this in some style. He is a fair-looking colt and the apprentice allowance is a plus. He showed spirit at Lingfield and should run all the way to the line. The horse to beat. I'm quite interested in Far Gaze simply because Moore has entered him for two stakes race, including the Brocklesby which I'm convinced is a pointer. He is a fair looker with a bit of strength and I expect a marked improvement. If prices allow, I would be tempted to have an each way bet. Whether he has enough ability to win only time will tell but it would put me off betting on the favourite. It may be a mistake to consider El Duque has no opposition. The debutantes are difficult to assess. Alan McCabe is a talented trainer and if backed it would bring more confidence. It's a similar story with Tyrsal who hails from a canny stable. If betting, I would fancy Far Gaze at an each way price.
