6:30 Kempton -
For many race fans the excitement of enjoying two-year-old racing is the appearance of a very talented horse. A horse that wins impressively on debut but competes at pattern class and heralded as a future Classic winner.
We may have one such two-year-old making its debut today.
Dubai One is trained by Saeed bin Suroor for the mighty Godolphin. This chestnut daughter of Exceed And Excel, out of a relatively poor-winning mare, who was trained by Michael Bell. The reputation of Dubai One proceeds her because she is even money favourite to take this evening's maiden at Sunbury.
She is bred to start over this 6f and races from stall 6, ridden by James Doyle.
Of the form horses Hathfa, showed ability on debut when seriously backed but, perhaps, slightly disappointed next start at Newbury, although that was a decent contest. This is definitely one of the better juveniles in Richard Hughes string.
Etikaal is another live threat for Simon Crisford in the silks of Hamdan Al Maktoum. This son of Sepoy has a wide draw which isn't ideal on this turning course. However, Crisford has been an example to just about all this season when it comes to preparing a debutant to shine on its formative start.
Conclusion: Dubai One will be the focus of many racegoers and pundits alike. This filly takes on a field of colts [two other fillies, too] but she is expected to win. Saeed bin Suroor has a fantastic strike rate at this course. Debutants can be a tricky betting medium, especially on a turning course over a sprint distance, but this filly should go well. If she is a class act I very much doubt Hathfa will be good enough, although his race experience is positive and he is proven to have ability. Etikaal is a worthy opponent and could be a tough horse to beat if not suffering too badly from his wide draw. A fascinating race.
Day 5 of the 30 Day Challenge. All horses are running well, hitting the frame, but could do with another winner or two.
A Maiden Stakes over 1m 141y on standard going. Nine two-year-olds: seven colts and two fillies from a mix of trainers. The majority have race experience.
John Gosden has been in fine form this season, including the exceptional Shalaa. Daily Bulletin is a January foal sired by Medaglia d'Oro out of a Grade 1 mare. This American-bred colt cost $140,000 at the 2014 September Keeneland Sales.
He ran over 7f on good to soft ground at Ascot in September when made favourite but slightly disappointing when beaten into fifth. That looked a fair race, especially compared with the majority of this field, and I would expect to see marked improvement for this extra distance and vital experience.
Gosden has a good string of juveniles and Daily Bulletin has been showing up well on the gallops and held in some regard by connections. Clarehaven Stables have done well with a select list of horses racing in the Godolphin silks.
The betting details this is a two-horse race. It could well be a blessing that Sir Michael Stoute's Across The Stars is a relatively short priced favourite. It would be bordering on madness to think Daily Bulletin will drift to an each-way price (ever the optimist). In fact, I would be tempted to take 9/4.
If punters get stuck into the favourite there could be more value to come but it is difficult to assess the markets. The statistics suggest that at 9/4 this colt is priced to chance but definitely a horse of some reputation and worth a bet. Ideal type to stick in an each-way double if you have a fancy to go with it.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over one mile on good going. Eight two-year-olds: three raced and selection of debutantes from leading stables.
One horse catches the eye. Very Talented, trained by Saeed Bin Suroor. This bay colt is a son of Invincible Spirit out of an unraced mare.
Godolphin bred this juvenile at Darley and takes after his name -a horse going places.
A sterling effort over 7f at Goodwood, on debut, indicated a promising individual who would surely improve from starting odds of 20/1. He done very little wrong in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York.
This February foal travelled with panache, if not a little keen, and held the edge over his rival until the final half furlong. Whether this extra furlong will bring further improvement is a matter of opinion. A number of flashy Group entries indicate that a mile is the trainer's preference. His major objectives are the Dewhurst Stakes Group 1 and Racing Post Trophy Group 1. Long term the 2000 Guineas is penciled in for the boys in blue.
Since his Convivial second to Luca Cumani's Beautiful Morning, he has been entered for two Stakes races and a Listed contest. A maiden should be pretty straightforward if those ambitious plans are to be considered.
Must take all the beating.
Linguistic races in the first colours for Godolphin, trained by John Gosden. This Irish bred son of Lope De Veag cost 650,000GNS and holds a couple of high-profile race entries. This bay colt isn't here to make up the numbers but it would need the favourite to disappoint or a smart horse to arrive to disappoint connections.
Conclusion: Hopefully Very Talented will settle over this extra furlong, which in my view is the only concern to his success at this level. Linguistic has ability and if priced at each way odds or around even money place could be a fair bet in himself.
Correct, as usual.
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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.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f 216y on this turning course. Twelve two-year-olds take part, predominantly raced, with a couple of fillies opposing a field of colts. The betting suggests there are three main contenders all who have shown ability.
Saeed Bin Suroor trains two of the leading lights, racing in the familiar royal blue silks of Godolphin.
Wickhambrook was made favourite on his debut when showing little ability behind the talented Extortionist. This chestnut son of Dubawi was fancied when making his return over 6f at York. That looked a strong race and it was noticeable how much his jockey [William Buick] coasted to the line in fourth when victory was lost. This juvenile may have been slightly disadvantaged running nearer the stands' rail although he is a lively sort with good pace. A wide draw could well test both rider and horse. It will be interesting to see whether De Sousa tries to get to the rail because that is very much the gamble for those considering a wager. With two starts under his belt, there must be a good chance this wide draw can be negated.
Chord Chart races in the first colours and was sent off 13/8f on debut. This son of Acclamation out of a Listed-placed mare was a 140,000gns yearling purchase. This January foal showed good pace at Nottingham and looked to hold every chance before tiring in the closing stages to finish 5th. After studying this race, there is little doubt in my mind the leading trio went a shade too fast and the eventual winner [Know Your Name] was slightly flattered, beating tiring horses. This bay colt is closely matched with Bounty Hunter, who has shown ability on a couple of starts. Chord Chart struggled to finish the race at Nottingham and ideally needs to be fitter for today's performance. Improvement should be forthcoming although any weakness in the finish would be a concern.
Bewitchment has a prime draw and home bred filly from Cheveley Park Stud. This daughter of Pivotal is out of a Listed-winning mare, who was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Bewitchment was quite weak in the betting on debut but ran well although not the class of Princess Noor who has since performed creditably at Royal Ascot. Beating the likes of Memory Styx was a superb effort and illustrates that Sir Mark Prescott's charge has a proven level of form. She was made odds-on favourite next time out over 6f at Brighton. In ways that race is difficult to assess as the winner [Vigor] cruised to an effortless victory. To be fair, that seemed a touch disappointing. However, it could well be the case David Simcock's victor is just a smart horse who will be competing at pattern class. It is possible she will be a better horse on the all weather and reason connections have returned. Being just one of two fillies in the field sets a stiff task against the colts but she may be up to the challenge. Considering she looked to have ample improvement on her debut it is wise to respect this youngster.
Without Truth hails from Ed McMahon's stable who goes well at this course. Racing in the familiar lime-green silks of John Fretwell, this son of Excellent Art has been relatively supported on the exchanges. If substantially backed he may have place claims although a wide draw and racing against the headline trio of experienced, talented juveniles will make this a tough ask. I would have to take a watching brief.
Of the others, Ellalan may have claims if backed but another who may find this a steep learning curve, especially making his debut on a turning course.
The others are best watched.
Conclusion: A tricky race which is most likely out of the three favourites Chord Chart, Bewitchment & Wickhambrook. In ways all have something to prove which brings question marks. Bewitchment has enough ability to win a race and should progress with racing. Her second start looked a touch disappointing but it is more likely she was beaten by a smart opponent. A low draw is a big advantage and she enjoys this surface. A compact horse, this turning course will hold no fears. Sir Mark Prescott will probably tell Catlin [jockey] to press on and if stealing a lead it could prove a deciding factor. Chord Chard went too fast at Nottingham and paid the price. If improving for that race, he could go well. A good-looking colt, there will be no excuses today. Wickhambrook has to deal with a wide draw which is never good news on this turning course. If forced to run wide it would be a negative. However, he looks a lively sort and with inexperienced/limited horses in opposition he should sit handy and run his race. On form I would slightly favour him out of the Godolphin pair. All three have sound place claims. From a low draw Bewitchment would get the nod but only as an each way wager.
