The July Stakes (Group 2) for colts & geldings over 6f on good to firm ground. Eleven two-year-olds take part, all raced, winners bar one horse who has finished runner-up twice. A first prize of over £45,000 sees a trio of juveniles head straight here from Royal Ascot. Added to this a number of up-and-coming talents who will be hoping they can make a name for themselves.
Sir John Hawkins sets the standard on form after finishing third at Royal Ascot when competing in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) over 6f. This Irish raider was fancied to go well that day and Ryan Moore keeps the ride for Michael Tabor's juvenile's, trained by Aidan O'Brien. Their stable mate - War Command - won that contest impressively. This may have been a reflection on those in behind: fair horses without star quality. It will be interesting to see whether he can take this race.
Jallota finished 5th in the Coventry and looks held by the above mentioned. In ways the proximity of Mick Channon's bay colt gives hope to a few of these have have direct form lines.
Kevin Ryan fields Astaire who ground out a win when making his debut at York. Jallota run well that day in third place. This son of Intense Focus was a £70,000 breeze-up purchase, so he was wiser than not for his racecourse bow. However, there is likely to be further improvement from this April foal. Ryan has been patient with this colt as connections considered Royal Ascot holding an entry for the Coventry Stakes (Group 2). On the exchanges, this bay colt is fancied in the betting. As with many debut winners, it is difficult to assess their potential or future achievements. It is best to appraise horses on proven form rather than pie in the sky. Most do not come close to such lofty aspirations of the mind. It would be fair to say he should hold Jallota. But whether his form merits being such a short price brings some doubt. Improvement could well be on the cards but more will be needed today.
Others horses fitting a similar profile with one win from one outing are Figure Of Speech and Canyari.
The former trained by Saeed Bin Suroor won well over course and distance, which is a plus at this higher level. The stable have a wealth of talents and I respects their decisions and for this to be the only horse entered for this contest could be a pointer in itself. Figure Of Speech won his maiden in good style, leaving Whaleweigh Station struggling up the hill. He holds the aces over that individual. Much more is needed but the reputation of the stable brings this bay colt into the reckoning.
Canyari hails from Richard Fahey's stable which has a powerful string of two-year-olds. There was much to like about the way punished Rising Legend by five lengths on debut in a small race. This son of Dandy Man is best judged by the success of the youngster he defeated and that colt has won at Stakes class and far from disgraced when contesting the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot. In truth, the drop down to the minimum trip may not have been in his favour. Canyari looks to have potential and connections will be hopeful.
Richard Hannon has two representatives in Anjaal and Brown Sugar.
Anjaal disappointed on debut when starting favourite. He was very well backed at Beverley on his second start and connections must have been pretty sure of s bomb-proof victory that day. He trotted up. This 105,000gns yearling purchase is also entered for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2). The form of that victory amounts to little but full of promise. This step up in distance is a positive. The stable won this race last year for Hamdan Al Maktoum. A horse which is probably much better than we have seen so far.
Brown Sugar is a horse that catches my eye and could make a fair each way bet. This son of Tamayuz won in style when taking apart a maiden at Salisbury. However, it was his debut over course and distance which really impressed. It is intriguing to consider whether this bay colt was a surprise when runner-up on his race course bow or just priced at huge odds because he was viewed as second string. I would consider the latter. Brown Sugar finished with zeal and would have won impressively if more experienced. He was catching Jallota fast. This will be no easy feat for any horse stepping up in grade but I would be tempted to have a few pounds each way on this colt, especially if available at double figures on the exchanges.
Of the others Intermath won on his first start and then unseated his rider when jumping a path at Salisbury. Connections deserve an ounce of luck after that unfortunate episode but he looks to have a stiff task and best watched.
Bahamian Heights, Master Carpenter & Whaleweigh Station all need to improve markedly.
Conclusion: In truth, these contests are difficult to assess. So many horses have displayed sparkling victories but appreciating their ability is no easy task. Sir John Hawkins has the most proven form although he didn't leave Jallota trailing in his wake and that could mean this race is a little more open that some would imagine. Brown Sugar showed real vim on debut and that performance stuck in my mind. How far could he beat Jallota now? I think he will beat Channon's juvenile with ease and that form could be enough to have fair win and place claims. A tricky race.
Champion British Flat trainer Richard Hannon has won many big races in his life but one glaring omission from his otherwise impressive CV is the lack of a fillies’ classic victory, something he will be hoping to put right at Newmarket on Sunday in the Qipco 1000 Guineas where he intends saddling both Sky Lantern and Maureen in what promises to be a cracking contest.
The mile event looks set to be a tremendous race with Sir Henry Cecil’s unbeaten Hot Snap (11/4 in the horse racing betting) heading the market ahead of another unbeaten filly, Group 2 Rockfel Stakes winner Just The Judge, trained by Charles Hills. Hannon has high hopes for both his candidates but it does appears significant that stable jockey Richard Hughes has opted to partner last year’s Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Sky Lantern (11/1) who was giving 3lbs to Hot Snap when just over two-lengths behind the current market leader on their respective seasonal reappearances at Newmarket last month in the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes.
Off level weights, Sky Lantern – who was expected to come on for the run – may get closer to Cecil’s rising star. Maureen (14/1 in the current racing betting odds, click here for more prices) was beaten just a neck by Ireland’s Sendmylovetorose in the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes at HQ last summer but soon found the winning touch when landing the Group 3 Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot in July.
Repeatedly denied a clear run when unplaced in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in October, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor showed she had trained-on well when landing the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury last month and will be partnered by the top-class Olivier Peslier, who reportedly expects his mount to go very well indeed.
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f 10y on good to soft ground. Six juveniles take part: four colts, two fillies, three horses with experience.
Steventon Star will take the world of beating. This bay son of Pastoral Pursuits cost 55,000gns as a yearling and started his career at Newbury. Richard Hannon has sent a number of his better early juveniles to compete in that particularly event. Hughes gave this colt a confident ride and there is little doubt connections were expecting a win. Only David Elsworth's Justice Day stood in his way, while the pair were five lengths clear of the third who had shown form. Steventon Star was given a considerate introduction and few of today's opposition will come close to that initial promise let alone surpass it. Although prohibitive odds, I would expect a comfortable victory.
Charles Hills has very much followed in his father's footsteps and a talented trainer. Culdaff is a February foal and 42,000euro purchase. The stable have a good record with juveniles at this course, which speaks well. John Grant has owned a number of talented juveniles in his time but more often than not their youngsters improve for the run.
Mick Channon has started this new season with plenty of two-year-olds and a few talents. Ding Ding is one of two fillies, a home bred by first-season sire Winker Watson out of a twice-traced mare who enjoyed a trip and showed little ability. This stable have a decent strike rate with their debutantes. Money talks and a substantial betting move would be encouraging. However, home breds are often slower to come to hand which justifies a watching brief.
American bred Mimi Luke didn't go through the sales ring, nor did she show any ability on debut. That Newmarket maiden fielded a number of high-profile trainers and the form could be strong. Alan Bailey is a shrewd trainer and the stable like to back their gifted juveniles. However, this bay filly didn't show a jot and unless substantially backed has little chance.
Flying Kyte was relatively fancied in the betting on debut but looked inexperienced and struggled after a slow start. Two-year-olds should always be respected on their second start because it is often the day they shine. Pat Phelan has trained a few juvenile winners but it would be something of a surprise to see this colt win.
Bold Max is best watched.
Conclusion: Steventon Star has outstanding claims after a superb debut performance. Connections must have been disappointed not to have won but they were careful not to press this colt who is clearly held in some regard. Unless something goes amiss I would expect a stylish win and he could be earmarked for Royal Ascot. The debutantes have their work cut out and those raced are simply not up to standard on what we have seen so far.
