An intriguing Maiden Auction Stakes for two-year-olds over 1m 141y. Quite a restricted race type which favours form horses. Six of the eleven juveniles have race experience. The betting suggests this is a three-horse race.
James Fanshawe's juveniles have been in cracking form of late with a debutante winner and impressive victor at Beverley on Thursday. Lord George caught my eye for a couple of reason - which I can't really detail - and I would have been fancying this son of Sir Percy to be a strong bet but the price has taken the sparkle off this grey colt. Saying that, this youngster has exceptional win and place claims from my info. I would guess he is priced to chance so anything over even money would, in theory, be value. If a major drifter that would be more interesting.
Charles Hills now trains *Zzoro who was formerly handled by Clive Brittain. Newmarket's finest is retiring and I imagine this is the reason for the change. This son of Manduro was a relatively cheap purchase at 24,000GNS. He may have been priced 50/1 on all three starts but he is a progressive colt who ran a sterling race last time out at Newmarket. This April foal touched much shorter odds in-running and this is a marked drop in class by race type. Brittain held this bay in some regard and if priced at each-way odds could well make a viable bet to the favourite, especially if that horse is backed to big odds on. I'd be surprised if Zzoro wasn't in the first three.
Another trainer who you don't associate with two-year-olds is Alan King. However, he has been in fine form and seen a couple of juvenile winners these last few weeks. This son of Intense Focus was weak in the market on debut at 25/1 but finished runner-up to the fair Theydon Grey. Invocation is a 20,000GNS Breeze-Up purchase who ran at auction class on debut at Chelmsford City over one mile.Could have fair each-way claims.
One outsider that may be worth a chance is Paul Eddery's Hepplewhite. There was money for this horse on debut at Windsor although started at big odds. This son of Rail Link didn't achieve a great deal when twelfth of fourteen. It is worth noting Eddery gave this colt a Group entry which looks misjudged but horses can disappoint on their first start and at incredible odds could have place claims.
Conclusion: The betting suggests this is out of the three major fancies and it is most likely correct. Lord George has strong claims but if very short odds may give some value elsewhere. However, I do think this colt will take some beating. I like Zzoro, who looks a sound each way bet and if drifting to decent odds is well worth a bet. Invocation has claims although less fancied to the two mentioned. Hepplewhite may be worth a speculative bet at huge odds.
Zzoro NR
A Fillies' Maiden Stakes over 6f on good going. Quite an interesting contest. Limonata was well backed when entered to run the other week but withdrawn when the ground turned soft. This daughter of Bushranger cost 90,000GNS in the ownership of Paul Jacobs. These silks adorn the highly talented Limato. Should go well.
A few others worthy of note.
William Haggas' Gravity Flow is held in some regard. She cost 165,000EUR as a yearling.
Lady Cecil has few two-year-olds in her string but it is intriguing to note this American daughter of Blame has been given a Stakes entry. These seemingly insignificant entries are often overlooked but a sign of confidence. Few of this trainer's juveniles win priced over 10/1. A wide draw isn't the best starting point for Granita.
Andrew Balding has been in pretty dire form with his two-year-old debutantes this season. It's difficult to appreciate why, as many have run exceptionally well on their second start. Sunflower is a daughter of Dutch Art and holds a Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) entry [as does Gravity Flow]. The stable's juveniles can win on debut when priced 10/1 & less, especially so when 7/1. The poor performance of the debutantes this season would suggest taking a watch brief. Sooner or later one of these will go well but I'll watch today.
Jim Boyle doesn't have the greatest of strike rates with two-year-olds but Black Bess belied her odds on debut showing promise, and the betting is important for her chances today. If priced 13/2 & less SP would have decent each-way claims. If outside this betting guide I'd take a watching brief.
Conclusion: All in all a difficult race to assess with a few horses held in some regard, so could be a stronger race than first thought. Watching brief.
2:30 Brighton - Perkunas is well regarded by Brian Meehan. This bay gelding ran well on debut and set a stiff challenge when competing at York's Convivial Maiden Stakes. That race was akin to pattern class, such was the level of prize money. Should take a lot of beating.
Sterling Lines hasn't had much go right: last of fourteen on debut and then very well backed at Kempton but taking a dreadful stumble leaving the stalls which really made life difficult. Mrs Fitri Hay's colt is better than seen and a couple of Group entries detail he will go well with a touch of luck. Whether this son of Equiano can beat the favourite time will tell but he could well hold each-way claims at 10/1.
Conclusion: Perkunas is a decent juvenile and will take the beating. If Sterling Lines touches big odds there might be some value. Rather than an each-way bet I'd be tempted to have a point on the favourite and Chapple-Hyam's charge.
2:50 Windsor - Duck A L'Orange was relatively fancied on debut at 10/1 and the form of that race has been franked. Michael Bell doesn't have too many talents this season but this chestnut colt is thought to be a fair horse on the gallops and expected to improve for that first start. This is a step down in class and could well be backed. A wide draw isn't ideal but with experience this son of Duke Of Marmalade should sit handy. Interesting.
Four On Eight defied huge odds second start and this step up in distance will help. Looks a tough nut to crack.
Robert Eddery is a canny trainer and can pop up with a talented juvenile. Hepplewhite wasn't the most expensive purchased at the yearling sales for £18,000. This son of Rail Link out of a Galileo mare could be a good buy. Interesting to note this bay colt has been given an entry for the Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2). Pie in the sky or inspired? At odds of 25/1 it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see a glimmer of ability and one for those who like a punt.
Sporty Yankee is worth noting in the betting and if 13/2 & less SP would have serious claims. This American bred colt has been entered at Stakes class, which give encouragement.
Conclusion: A few fancied here. Four On Eight sets a fair standard. I quite like Duck A L'Orange each-way. Sporty Yankee would be a solid each-way bet if strongly fancied in the market. Hepplewhite could go well at huge odds.
