The Knighton Maiden Stakes over 5f on soft going. Six debutantes from a variety of trainers: four colts and two fillies. Richard Hannon won this race last year with Flyball, who was having his second start.
Gin In The Inn is trained by Richard Fahey who has been quiet this early season but a handler who should always be taken seriously. This Irish bred son of Alfred Noble is out of a winning mare who didn't race until three. This bay was purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales for 35,000eur. One for the short list.
Indian Gold cost £3,500 at the yearling sales and half-brother to One Kool Dude. This colt hails from Milton Bradley's stable who usually have limited juveniles.
Mark Johnston can be rather hit and miss with his debutantes but with about 130 juveniles in his string he is a powerhouse. Twisting Hay is a January foal [oldest in the field] sired by Cape Cross out of a winning mare. He cost a whopping 140,000gns. Interesting recruit.
Whether Willytheconqueror is named after his trainer [William Muir] only time will tell. This son of Zodiac was purchased by Muir at Tattersalls' October Sales 2014 for 48,000GNS. I always take note of this stable's early juveniles because they can have ability although they feature a poor strike rate and better on their second start.
Richard Hannon & Hughes team up for Jet Setting who races in the familiar silks of Mrs J Wood. One of two fillies in this field, this Irish daughter of Fast Company was purchased for 7,000euro from Goffs November Foals 2013. A cheap buy for these connections. Hannon can win on debut. The betting may tell the story here.
Wicked Woo is a relatively cheap yearling purchase at 8,000GNS. Jo Hughes' filly is a big price on the exchanges and best watched unless seriously backed.
Conclusion: Early season is a time to watch and learn - reason why I don't say bet on this or that. Gin In The Inn, Jet Setting and Twisting Hay are the most likely winner based on trainer statistics. Richard Fahey does well with his debutantes. Hannon's filly is a cheap purchase while Mark Jonhston's [Twisting Hay] is pretty expensive for this time of season. Wicked Woo and Indian Gold are best watched. Willytheconqueror will most likely benefit from the run. The three major stables look to have the call. Watching brief.
An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 6f 212y on good to firm ground. Twelve two-year-olds take part: eight with experience, four debutantes. A field of horses hailing from leading stables with a good purse. There could well be a few talents on show. By all accounts this could prove a tricky race to call after noting market support for a couple of debutantes and a number of form horses which look up to the standard of winning most run-of-the-mill maidens. The winner of this contest will have aspirations of loftier targets. William Muir doesn't have many juveniles in his string but needs little introduction for a talented trainer of fillies, exemplified by the likes of Purr Along who regularly contests Group 1. Alys Love started her career at Goodwood, which is a positive for the Muir yard. It was a significant pointer that this daughter of New Approach was backed to a starting price of 7/1. This January foal cost 35,000gns when purchased by the vendor before her first birthday. Out of a multiple-winning mare, she races in the familiar silks of Usk Valley Stud. These patrons have owned a number of winners over the years and hold high hopes this bay filly will progress to be a talent. A Shadwell Fillies' Mile (Group 1) entry is a positive. She was never going to be given a hard race on debut and inexperience, plus an insufficient trip, saw her trailing the field. Martin Dwyer took his time, although she never looked happy on the course, rolling about the undulations. However, she knuckled down in the closing stages to give connections promise for the future. This step up in distance is certain to see a brighter performance. The stable have a fair record with their runners second start, especially if fancied in the betting. It would certainly bring further encouragement if starting single-figure odds. This looks a tough race to win but if priced 15/2 & less sp could have fair win and place claims.
