The Cantor Fitzgerald Equities National Stakes Listed race over 5f 6y on good ground. Seven two-year-olds takes part, predominantly colts with the exception of a couple of fillies. All winners bar one colt who has been placed on two occasions. Decent prize money on offer with a purse of almost £15,000. On the face of it, not the easiest race to assess with a number of winners & progressive juveniles.
Steventon Star is a talented colt, only deprived on debut by another precocious youngster in the shape of David Elsworth's Justice Day. An effortless victory came at Windsor followed by a gutsy win at York. Hughes is a canny rider and it is to his credit the way he nurtures and builds the confidence of the Hannon youngsters to enjoy their racing. By all accounts that was a strong race. This bay colt, a son of Pastoral Pursuits, sets the standard for others to achieve. His trainer has a brilliant string of juveniles so the stable have their pick of candidates for this contest. A wide draw could be problematic or a blessing. Hughes will probably take a handy position and pounce in his normal, waiting, style. The horse to beat. However, whether I would jump in at short odds is another matter.
A number of the opposition have shown ability and could improve significantly. On the other side of the coin, they need to progress to have a fighting chance.
In true Clive Brittain style, Rizeena is set a challenge by being one of two fillies to take on the colts. That is never an easy task. This daughter of Iffraaj showed great promise on debut in a hot Newmarket maiden. Saeed Manana's bay filly finished as if her tail was on fire! Readers know I fancied her to win at Ascot, and so she did in ready fashion. I have little doubt the runner-up is held in high regard by Hannon's. Things haven't gone right for Oriel. Rizeena could well be a talented juvenile but needs to improve. At this grade, it is difficult to be confident she is up to this class. A horse I will be rooting for but taking a watching brief.
Eastern Impact was set what looked to be a stiff task when competing at Stakes class on debut. Richard Fahey has a vast string of two-year-olds and the stable must have fancied their chances that day because this colt was well backed. An impressive victory was seen, which gives hope of better things to come. However, in retrospect, the form of that race was quite weak, more like a maiden [if that makes sense] and improvement is needed. Such a stylish win gives opportunity but more is needed.
Roger Varian is a true talent and although a little slow with the juveniles this season they are a force to be reckoned. Andhesontherun looked inexperienced on debut at Leicester and although winning I don't believe the stable thought this son of Captain Rio would lead the way as he needed the run. However, with Capitulate disappointing, that race fell apart and this son of a Group-raced mare picked up the pieces to beat Atlantic Affair. Considering Rizeena left Mark Johnston's horse trailing he has much to prove. On the plus side, this February foal should leave that form well behind. Another two-year-old who needs substantial improvement but not one to judge on that basic form.
*Zalzilah was fancied to run well on debut - he had been entered to run at Stakes class before he made his debut - but failed miserably, albeit behind a decent horse in Extortionist. James Tate must have been smiling at Beverely because I have little doubt they went there with view to winning. Make no mistake that was an impressive victory. Look back to fifth placed Lily Rules [who was beaten by Eastern Impact] and the third & fourth have both run well since. An easy six-length victory over those capable horses puts this bay colt pretty high in the pecking order for the better juveniles seen this season. I would take this horse seriously. He is priced at pretty fancy odds on the exchanges this evening [Wednesday]. If drifting to speculative odds, he could be worth an each way bet.
The other filly in this field is *Autumns Blush, trained by Jeremy Noseda. This daughter of Kheleyf finished behind Rizeena in that hot Newmarket maiden but I was left with the impression that was a day to learn rather than win. The money came for her at Yarmouth where she was seriously backed. That may have been a small race and it is perhaps too easy to consider it was nothing more that a run-of-the-mill event. Time may tell that was the case but it is worth noting that the word was out before that race this bay filly was already going to Royal Ascot. That confidence probably tells the story that ample improvement had been noted from first to second start. Fallon done little more than push her out with hands and heels. It is worth noting that the second horse - Bush Beauty - is held in high regard by Clive Brittain and the third looks up to winning a maiden.
Urban Dreamer needs to improve after two fair efforts but this will be a much tougher test.
Conclusion: A fascinating race simply for the fact that a number of winners take each other on but feature such varied profiles with a mix of achievements to date. The proven horse is Steventon Star. A wide draw may be a slight concern but he is a decent horse who could well show these what a winning is all about. However, the price looks very short with a number of unexposed, winning, juveniles with something to prove. Zalzilah may just slip under the radar after a poor debut. Many a punter may consider his win at Beverley was simply due to limited opposition. I don't think that was the case and time may tell this is a class horse. If touching speculative odds, he could be a worth a small each way bet. Rizeena is progressive and should finish this race with purpose, which is no bad move at Sandown. I'm a big fan of Clive Brittain and I will be cheering her home. Eastern Impact & to a greater extent Hesontherun need to improve for their first victory. They are likely to do just that but it is difficult to assess such horses and these concerns always make me tread careful, especially at relatively short odds. Autumns Blush is another unknown quantity. She is a strong sort and hails from a trainer who knows what it takes to win a race of this nature. I wouldn't be tempted to bet in this race and just enjoy the spectacle. Steventon Star sets the standard. If looking for value, Zalzilah may be the surprise package at fancy odds.
*NR
An EBF Novices Stakes over 5f on Good to Firm ground. Eight juveniles take part: all colts/geldings bar one filly. Six winners search for their second victory with prize money of almost £10,000. By all account this is a hot little race. The winner will be heading for Royal Ascot.
Steventon Star was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but a wide draw made connections curtail such plans, which was most likely a wise decision. This son of Pastoral Pursuits ran well at Newbury on debut although second best - but clear of the third - behind Justice Day who went down fighting at Ascot. Richard Hughes commented that they were surprised Steventon Star was beaten on his first start. However, the money was put down in style when backed to 1/10f taking an average Windsor maiden without fuss. This youngster travels well and he is a worthy favourite on latest form. This could be a tough race with exciting opponents.
With five unbeaten juveniles in the line-up it is difficult to assess many of these horses beyond stating they have the potential to be smart.
One Boy is a good-looking son of Captain Gerrard. This Irish bred gelding is the most forward of Micheal Dods' two-year-olds. The form of that race has been franked with the third winning a moderate race, while others have been placed. By race type, that was a limited event and he has to prove more than most. Improvement should be seen but I wouldn't want to back this horse unless speculative priced.
Richard Fahey's juveniles have been in form this last couple of weeks and Peniaphobia really caught the eye when winning at Pontefract. This Irish bred son of Dandy Man is a handsome colt, physically one of the better horses I have seen this season. He looks a tremendous purchase at £20,000. There was good late money for this horse after opening at relatively big odds. The second and third placed horses have run well since but what appealed so much is the way Peniaphobia clawed up the Pontefract hill. With more experience he would have left the opposition floundering by double-figure lengths. It is worth remembering that Steventon Star beat the third placed, Meritocracy, by a number of lengths. Whether this sharp 5f will be a little too fast is a matter of opinion. However, that initial experience should see a professional display and he will run to the line.
Olly Steven may have just started his training career but he could be a name to be remembered by the end of the season. He has taken over Peter Winkworth's old stable, who still works behind the scenes, and they have a number of high-profile owners. Extortionist was fancied to go well at Nottingham and traveled like the winner halfway. It is still a little difficult to assess the merit of that form but it could be good. The sixth won next start [must have disappointed on debut] while the third is well regarded [Bounty Hunter]. I would take this horse seriously.
Two other winners made sparkling debuts.
Innocently was a cheap yearling purchase at 11,000gns but probably added a zero to that figure with a superb display at Redcar. In fairness, that wasn't the strongest race as the favourite may have disappointed. However, this chestnut colt is a good looker and well backed. The David O'Meara-trained youngster was keen in the early stages to a point I thought he would struggle to finish the race. Those fears were soon forgotten when Tudhope [jockey] took a swift look between his legs before pressing on for a comfortable win. The second horse has ability although the form is no more than average. Compared to Steventon Star & Peniaphobia, he has something to prove. Potential brings great hope but those have to be substantiated. Time will tell.
Another horse fitting this bill is Haikbidiac trained by William Haggas. The sire Kodiac has seen a number of talented juveniles this season and this bay colt traveled with ease leaving his opposition standing in comfortable style. I always take note of Haggas' winning debutantes as it is often an encouraging sign for this stable. A leading chance but needs to progress a good few lengths.
Lady Frances won a small race on debut and then nearly fell when contesting a stakes race. The only filly in the field, she has something to prove.
*Two Tykes has been set a daunting challenge and will need to be something special to figure here. Unlikely.
Conclusion: A fascinating race which looks a much higher standard than last year. The winner of this will be looking towards Royal Ascot and an impressive victory may highlight one of the favourites. Steventon Star sets the standard. It will take a decent horse to beat him. Peniaphobia caught my eye at Pontefract. This strong colt clawed up the Pontefract hill and sure to improve for that initial start. There is a slight concern this 5f will be just too quick because this is likely to be run at a pace. However, I like this colt and if pressed would be my selection. Extortionist, Haikbidiac & Innocently have to raise their game to test the favourite but potentially they could be class horses. It is difficult to assess comfortable winners. One of the most exciting races of the two-year-old season so far.
*NR
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.
