An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f on good going.
Ten two-year-olds take part but the betting details this is very much a two-horse race unless there is something of a surprise.
William Haggas fields Prazeres who finished third on debut at Newmarket just over two lengths behind Mutawakked who is held in some rHorseegard by Brian Meehan and denied Deningy in the process. Haggas often sends his better juveniles to race at Headquarters on their racecourse bow and even though a 20-1 shot that day I'm sure connections would have been hopeful of a bold show. This bay colt is a son of Sepoy owned and bred by Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. That valuable experience will serve this juvenile well against his major opponent.
Hugo Palmer has an impressive string of two-year-olds and he knows where they sit in the pecking order. I can detail that Koropick is held in high regard by the stable being entered for both the Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 & Middle Park Stakes Group 1. This bay colt is a son of Kodiac out of an unraced Fayruz mare. Racing in the familiar silks of V I Araci this 40,000G breeze-up purchase could well prove to be a calculated acquisition. Koropick has the ability but can he beat a proven horse in his first start?
Conclusion: Unless something unusual happens this looks a match. Proven form and experience will make Prazeres a difficult horse to beat but facing a potentially smart debutante doesn't look value at even money. It may well prove the case it is a great bet and traders will be focusing on Koropick and the slightly sign of a tardy start will have them loading on the favourite. If Palmer's charge drifted to an each-way price that would be a good bet but it looks very unlikely unless the favourite is backed to the exclusion of all. It is a fascinating race but i will be taking a watching brief.
An EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) over 7f on good to firm going.
Thirteen two-year-olds take part but I will simply detail a handful of talents worthy of note.
Ed Walker has a fair juvenile on his hands. Ultimate Avenue is a bay colt and son of Excelebration racing in the familiar silks of P K Sui. This 340,000E yearling purchase wasn't too fancied in the betting on debut at Yarmouth over 7f but showed up well in third place in a contest where the first and second have big reputations. With that valuable experience on side this March foal has to go close.
Owen Burrows unleashed a smart debutant at Salisbury when Akhalaaq defied his inexperience to win a shade clever. Muhajjal is another newcomer with a big reputation. This bay colt, a son of Cape Cross, cost 180,000G at the yearling sales and owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum. The success of Akhalaaq gives encouragement to today's runner who has been shaping up well on the gallops. I know this youngster is one of the best two-year-olds in the stable and could go well at respectable odds. [Presently 7/1].
Another horse to give a second chance is Hugo Palmer's Colibri. The stable has a string of talents and this son of the Australian sire Redoute's Choice didn't have much luck in running in what we know is a hot maiden. How many maidens are worth £16,000? This juvenile is a homebred for Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd. I suspect connections expected a bold show on debut and Colibri is shorter in the betting for this maiden.
To add to the mix William Haggas sends Meyrick, who is owned by Jon and Julia Aisbitt, who usually send their juveniles to Mich Channon. This bay colt is a son of Helmet and 110,000G yearling purchase from Tattersall's October Yearling Sales (Book 1) 2015. Haggas has a number of exceptional two-year-olds this season and although his debutantes come on for a run I wouldn't be surprised to see this horse go well and confident he will be winning this season.
One of three fillies in the field. Syndicate is a bay filly and daughter of Dansili out of a winning mare. Ralph Beckett can send out debut winners although this March foal will have to be smart to beat the experienced colts.
Conclusion: This preview is more about pinpointing future winners than who will taste victory today. All noted are held in some regard and I would expect they will be winning sooner than later. Ultimate Avenue and Colibri have valuable race experience that will prove positive and both have each-way claims. Muhajjal is interesting for Owen Burrows and even though making his debut is one who could prove a tough nut to crack if not too inexperience. A fascinating race.
