A Maiden Stakes race over 5f on standard going. Decent prize money on offer with just five runners taking part. In many respects a tricky race.
One horse is worth a closer look after disappointing last time out when favourite - Tavener. This March foal has been fancied on both starts to date but floundered quite badly. I'm pretty sure Phantom House Stables hold this son of Exceed And Excel in some regard. And considering this bay colt was purchased at Tattersalls' Craven Breeze-Up Sales 2014 for 70,000gns, he's proven ring-rusty and inexperienced. Most juveniles which go through this sales route are forward and ready to race, so connections must be frustrated by those formative outings.
A slow start at Lingfield created a problem, but inexperience compounded that issue, being niggled along, then slightly short of room, turning into the straight any semblance of hope had been extinguished to the point Graham Gibbons eased down to finish second from last.
There was good reason to expect a big run that day from Clive Washbourn's horse and a more professional race will be expected today. El Che was ahead of William Jarvis' colt on that occasion, after making a bold bid from the front and she likely to do the same. It could well be the case that Tavener would be better suited by an extra furlong - if only to give more time to find his stride.
At the odds, I would have to take a watching brief because there isn't too much meat on the bone. However, if this three-year-old has finally got his act together he could quite easily win in style.
A Maiden Stakes over 1m 2f on Standard going. Fourteen runners, most lightly raced, three debutantes. A trio of fillies taking on the colts. This intriguing race affords one horse which may be worth a second glance, especially if supported in the betting.
William Jarvis' Beau Knight wasn't fancied on debut, when finishing fourth over 8.5f at Wolverhampton.
This son of Sir Percy was sent off a 20/1 shot and certainly needed the experience and most importantly this step up in trip.
Racing in the familiar silks of owner Dr J Walker, this horse hails from a decent family.
William Jarvis isn't the type of trainer to run horses this time of year unless they have some hope of victory and his youngsters are noteworthy on their second start.
This bay colt has a plum draw (1) but wouldn't want to be ring-rusty as seen on his debut. However, that experience, and further trip, is likely to inspire connections to make a bold show and perhaps, even, front run.
The betting is very important to the chances of this January foal. The market will take time to settle and with a number of lightly-raced three-year-olds in the line-up it may be wise to wait for the cream to rise to the top. If weak in the market I would take a watching brief. However, if fancied and features a starting price of 8/1 and less, I'd give this stamina-bred horse decent each-way claims.
A maiden stakes over 6f on standard going. Twelve two-year-olds take part: colts & geldings bar one filly. The betting will be important here and if Nuno Tristan is backed he could well prove a decent each-way bet.
William Jarvis has a small string of juveniles at Phantom House Stables in Newmarket but is a capable trainer who can turn out winners, especially on their second start.
This America-bred colt is a son of Henrythenavigator out of a talented mare who raced twice but won both starts for John Gosden [owned by Robert Sangster] including the Princess Margaret Stakes (Group 3) at Ascot.
The mare, Saintly Speech, was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock aged 11 for $110,000 at the Keeneland January Sales [2008].
Nuno Tristan is a well-bred horse who was similarly purchased by Blandford Bloodstock for 115,000gns from Tattersalls October Sales 2013. Clive Washbourn has been a long-term patron with Jarvis, who sent out debut winner L'Addition, a surprise 16/1 winner on the all-weather in July of this year. He also has horses stabled with David Barron, George Baker & Marco Botti.
Nuno Tristan showed limited ability when making his debut at Nottingham over 6f on good ground. It is most likely this youngster needed that initial outing and better should be expected today. If priced in single figures this March foal has sound each-way claims from a fair draw and Graham Gibbons in the saddle. If weak in the betting best watched.
Well, yesterday's tips sunk like the Titanic. Rae Guest's debutante clearly didn't enjoy the soft conditions and will be seen in a better light next start. Michael Dods' debutante was in a pretty stiff race. Being a speculative price (28/1) you have to take these disappointments as they come. Not too much of interest today. The soft ground doesn't inspire confidence but there might be a chance.
8:20 Wolverhampton - Solstalla.
I'm a fan of William Jarvis, especially with his juveniles on their second start. This daughter of Halling is set a challenge being only one of two fillies to take on the boys. However, this home bred out of a winning mare was relatively fancied on debut and likely to improve a good deal for her first start, a few lengths behind the talented Stroll Patrol. A wide draw isn't ideal but the betting is key. If priced 15/2 & less I would give this horse fair win and place claims.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f 3y on good to firm ground. A fascinating race for these eight runners. Strategical and Bush Beauty both run well on debut and the later holds a number of Group entries which suggests Clive Brittain will have his filly competing at pattern class sooner than not. In many ways this looks a three-horse race and Blurred Vision may be a fair each way selection at respectable odds. William Jarvis has a liking for this seaside course and this son of Royal Applause has been made to look a shadow of his true ability. This bay colt was fancied to go well on debut but inexperience over an insufficient trip afforded a poor result. However, that betting guide was significant and so were connection's wishes to go to Goodwood next start. Although speculative odds, he ran a sterling race and was eased markedly in the closing half furlong when a winning chance had gone. Even that form line gives reasoned claims for a success in the near future and there could be more to come. A couple of the outsiders have little chance in today's field and the debutantes will need to be pretty smart to figure. The favourites set a fair challenge but it could be the case Blurred Vision has Captain Midnight to beat for a place and I am confident Jarvis' youngster will beat this juvenile. William Buik's mount looks to hold every chance of hitting the frame and a fighting chance of a win. I would be banking on the place and hope for more. With only eight juveniles competing it would be a problem if there were additional non runners, so it may be wise to bet late to guarantee there isn't two places rather than three. Blurred Vision looks a fair each way bet at speculative odds and no forlorn hope of proving victorious.
A Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 7f on good to firm ground.
William Jarvis' two-year-old runners have been quiet this season but Raskova may bring a smile to the face of this talented trainer. This American-bred daughter of Henrythenavigator was an expensive yearling purchase at 130,000gns. There was good money for this youngster when making her debut at Yarmouth. However, she drifted markedly in the betting just before the off, which suggested this April foal was in need of the experience. Her performance indicated this point: a slow start, pushed along in rear, before running on in the closing stages. That was a fair maiden and connections were pleased with what they saw. The key point is that she needs this extra furlong. Clearly this was a point of contention as Raskova was originally entered for the Lowther Stakes (Group 2), which could be a significant pointer hinting that ambitious plans are in mind. This trip will be ideal. That initial experience should make all the difference against a number of debutantes and I would expect a big run. A sound each way, especially if strongly fancied in the betting.
