An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f on good going. A large field of fourteen colts and fillies. I won't ramble on about all and sundry.
Sir Roger Moore is held in high regard by Charlie Hills but seems dogged by bad luck. Last start saw a wall of horses at Goodwood, which pretty much ruined this colt's chances. He would have gone close to winning that day and in many respects we could have been hopeful of a fair bet today. A wide draw in stall fourteen doesn't make life easy. Will it be enough to stop this son of Kodiac going well? It certainly isn't a positive but I would respect this horse if he can sit in a handy position without blowing a gasket trying to get to the front. That's the gamble.
Dancing Star has the prime stall and it's good to see the Balding two-year-olds running better of late. There has been something amiss with many of their debutantes. This daughter of Aqlaam with appreciate an extra furlong and Kingsclere Stables do well with fancied juveniles on their second start. Drawn one is a bonus and if leading, could take some pegging back.
Richard Hannon's Dark Forest was made favourite on debut at Newmarket. This son of Iffraaj was a 120,000GNS yearling and been off course for a good while. It isn't beyond the realms he could go well although he doesn't hold any flashy entries at this stage.
Gandvik was relatively fancied on debut but little went right. He belied huge odds of 50/1 at Sandown when stepped up to seven furlongs. He pulled hard but kept going for a long way and in many ways that was a bold show. The Channon string are in good form and this drop back in distance should help him settle.
Conclusion: Dancing Star will improve a good deal, although taking on the colts. Balding's juveniles have decent win and place claims when fancied on their second start. Should go well and fair each way bet if prices allow. 1st
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f 161y on good to firm going. Ten two year olds: eight colts and two fillies. Four juveniles have race experience. Quite a restricted race type which generally benefits those with form although those candidates, for the most part, look limited.
Richard Hannon has been rather hit and miss with his juveniles this season but Receding Waves has been made short odds on the tissue prices. This son of Dick Turpin cost 22,000GNS at the yearling sales. The stable have a good strike rate at this course with their youngsters. It is worth noting this bay colt has been given a stakes entry, which gives confidence. He is well drawn in stall one. A horse to respect if starting favourite.
R A Green is a significant owner for Gary Moore and this combination have fielded some talented juveniles in their time. Art Collection is a son of Shakespearean out on an unraced mare. This bay colt didn't go through the sales. The trainer does have winners on debut and they have a good strike rate when priced 13/2 & less SP. Strangely, they either win or unplaced - so all or nothing. Definitely one for the short list. They can win up to 10/1 & less so worth noting. If outside these guides - best watched.
Another fancies runner in the betting is Brian Meehan's Tawdheef. This brown colt, a son of Zebedee out of a talented group-placed mare.For such a restricted race type this yearling cost a substantial sum at £92,000. If priced 7/2 & less, this Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt have respectable win and place claims. This stable often go well with horses priced 8/1 & less and an interesting contender. Again, this outfit go well at this course.
Gandvik hails from a trainer who have few winner priced over 10/1. If fancied in the betting, his chances would be improved considerably. If weak in the betting - best watched.
York Minster and Lady Fontenail are best watch and likely to improve for their debut.
An outsider who is worth a second glance is Rio Glamourous who finished last on debut at Leicester, looking uncontrollable, wild from start to finish. This son of Aussie Rule was a big price on debut and most likely needed the experience. However, although a cheap purchase he is quite well bred out of a group-raced mare. Could go well at a price if keeping under control!
Conclusion: The betting will give the best guide. Receding Wave looks to be fancied in the betting and Hannon's two year olds go well at a short price. It is encouraging he has been given a stakes race entry. I'd bet this horse goes well if starting favourite. Art Collection & Tawdheef have fair claims if priced 8/1 & less SP, which is likely to be the case. The former has strong claims if priced 13/2 & less. Tawdheef cost a lot of money for this grade. Rio Glamourous could have claims at astronomical odds.
