An EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes race over 7f on a standard to slow going.
Seven two-year-olds take part. Snow Squaw has been fancied on both starts to date and far from disgraced when making her debut at Newmarket and then stepping up to seven furlongs when third in a competitive race at Ascot. This Irish-bred daughter of Excelebration is out of a three-time winning mare at Listed class and placed in Group 2. David Elsworth does well with his juveniles and I imagine connections were satisfied with her performance the last start although hoping for a win. This homebred must take the beating today.
Robert Eddery is a talented trainer who deserves more horses sent his way. Fire Palace is a daughter of Royal Applause and a bargain by when purchased by her present owner Edwin Phillips for just 1,800G. Interesting that connections sent this bay filly to Goodwood on debut and she showed promise to finish seventh at odds of 66/1. Eddery does very well with his juveniles when prominent in the betting on their second start and there has been money for this horse. I'd expected a bold show.
Every Nice Girl is trained by Marco Botti who has been a little quiet with his two-year-olds this season. This American-bred daughter of Mizzen Mast is a breeze-up purchase [bought at two, April] for 58,000G. Botti has fair win and place claims with his debutantes priced 10/1 & less.
David Simcock has been in cracking form with his two-year-olds this season and Vista Steppe made her debut at Doncaster, although not particularly fancied. The betting is key here. If priced 13/2 & less SP has claims but if weak in the market best watched.
The others are best watched.
Conclusion: This looks a fine chance for Snow Squaw to win. A couple of runs should have her primed and the main opponent looks to be Fire Palace. I expect Eddery's second starter to improve but needs to. It is a shame there aren't three places for each-way backers but, in fairness, his fancied juveniles either win or finish unplaced. Every Nice Girl & Vista Steppe may have claims if in their respective betting guides although I would be looking towards the top two in the betting. Snow Squaw gets the nod.
Busy. Busy. Busy. Feel as though I've been stuck on an escalator and some nutter found a go-fast button just to give me grief. Clearly no amount of work is going to stop me detailing more juicy peaches of wonderment.
Quite a big field for this maiden. Laughton ran well enough on debut behind a talent in Wayward Hoof. Kevin Ryan's bay colt, a son of Acclamation, will be primed today and I can confirm this two-year-old is high in the pecking order at Hambleton. A good bet if touching each-ways prices but that does seem a touch optimistic (time will tell).
Spanish City could be a strong challenger from Roger Varian's stable. Their juveniles have been a little disappointing and I'm sure their string isn't as strong as previous years. This chestnut colt is held in high regard. He held an entry for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2), Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) & Middle Park Stakes (Group 1). That list brings confidence.
This home bred was meant to run the other week but withdrawn. It is worth noting that day the colt was extremely weak in the betting. That may simply have been due to the word getting out he was to be withdrawn but it is worth considering. Varian's charge will need to be primed to beat Laughton who has valuable race experience. I would certainly watch the betting just in case there is a weakness. Conversely, this may be good reason for bettors to take the earlier prices on Laughton. I respect Spanish City but whether I want to take 2/1 [at time of writing] against Ryan's talent I'm not so sure. Interesting. I'd be looking for an each way bet on Laughton, if available.
6:35 Newcastle - Bryan Smart is a talented trainer and Extortion ran well when finishing second on debut at Redcar. This American bred colt was a cheap foal at 5,000gns, withdrawn as a yearling. This home bred was most likely sent through the sales to gain entry to these limited races. Strong win and place claims if each-way prices are available.
6:50 Sandown - Seven lightly raced or unraced two-year-olds. Couple of interesting horses: Shahbar & Brorocco. The former is trained by Marco Botti for Al Shaqab Racing and an expensive yearling purchase at 320,000gns. He ran a fine race when second on debut at Leicester over 6f. Stepping up to one mile should see improvement. One of the best juveniles at Prestige Place. The downside, there is little meat on the bone at 8/11. Brorocco is trained by Andrew Balding for the Kingsclere Racing Club. This home bred has been going well at home. It should be noted that Balding's two-year-olds just don't seem to be running well, especially the debutantes, many of which have disappointed when relatively fancied in the betting. Their youngsters can go well when priced 10/1 on debut. However, I would have to take a watching brief until the stable hits form.
2:40 Haydock - Laughton - strong each-way claims 5th (disappointed)
6:35 Newcastle - Extortion - strong win and place claims 4/1 2nd (drifted across track)
6:50 Sandown - Shahbar - worth a bet if 1/1 1st
Small ew treble
