6:10 Wolverhampton - Quite a restricted maiden auction stakes over 5f 216y. Couple of interesting horses. Company Asset had shaped with promise on her first two starts but ran below standard when fourth at Newcastle over 6f. There was no mention of this in post race reviews but it looked to me as if the saddle slipped, which may explain such a display. There is a chance she has just regressed. The tissue price of 2/1 [Sporting Life] looks short. Would make more appeal if a price. P J McBride is a talented trainer and someone I take particular note with his two-year-olds on their second start. Squash ran well on debut at Newmarket over 6f behind Lady Macapa, White Witch & Bahaarah. This daughter of Pastoral Pursuits will be primed for this race and definitely the selection. If touching each-way prices [unlikely] I would be interested. Presently about 5/2- 11/4 on the exchanges. Definitely value at those odds and high place claims. A wide draw isn't ideal but over 6f Luke Morris should be able to find a decent position.
7:00 Windosr - A number of debutantes and not to much form on show bar Alizoom and High Speed. The former has a touch of ability although perhaps not the fastest juvenile and from a wide draw may be a touch outpaced before running on at the line. High Speed is something of an enigma - she hasn't helped herself. This daughter of Kodiac has ability but ruins her chance pulling and far too keen. Hills is dropping this bay filly back to the minimum trip and from a low draw could steal a lead. With Emerald Bay likely to be short odds - perhaps ring rusty - High Speed looks a fair bet if available at 5/1 or so. I would try to lay your bet at shorter odds in-running and then hope she holds on to her advantage.
7:30 Windsor - A big field - with one or two who catch the eye. Destroyer is held in some regard by William Muir and a lovely, big specimen of a colt. This son of Royal Applause most likely needed his debut but showed ability second start before being outclassed in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2). This is more his level and from a low draw has each way claims. Grizzly Bear is another good-looking colt. Just looked at his odds on Betfair and 40/1 seems huge. Could well be backed down. He was slightly outpaced on debut and appreciated the step up to 6f at Newmarket. That was a fair race but he didn't do himself any favours pulling in the early stages and finished a respectable seventh. A wide draw isn't ideal and I just wonder if connections will be more interested in taking the handicap route as seen with Black Granite last year for The ABC Partnership. Henry Candy is a class trainer and he has been in exceptional form with his juveniles this season - especially on their second start. Noble Peace ran well on debt at Goodwood, when losing in a photo finish. Looks a good each-way bet if prices allow.
Best tips:
6:10 Wolverhampton - Squash (very good win/place) 1st
7:30 Windsor - Noble Peace (very good win/place) Unp
7:00 Windsor - High Speed (must touch shorter odds in running) 2nd (Didn't touch shorter odds)
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]
