View of the stands from a hill in the centre of the golf course
The opening seven furlong maiden stakes was dominated by the three year olds. The winner Sea Soldier made almost all and won seeing the trip out well. Has been improving slowly but on a OR of 78 he seems set to get a stiff mark which is likely to rise quite a bit which will make handicap winning very difficult. He is though open to improvement as still looked a touch backward today. The runner up was the long odds on and edgy Kawssaj who was not well drawn given that they raced stands side. Was a bit one paced and could not quicken enough to lay a blow. I would like to see him have another go at a mile as pedigree suggests this is his best trip. Can still land a maiden and two seconds does not indicate a lack of resoluton. Third home and well beaten was Minety Lass who was completely disregarded by the market and on her toes beforehand but led for a part and stayed on at one pace to run her best race to date. Logans Legend was a bit disaapointing being a well beaten fourth. An expensive purchase but looks pretty one paced and off OR70 will find handicapping a struggle based on this run. Wordiness looked well and had a promising fifth for his debut. A poor draw put paod to his chances today.
Sea Soldier wins the first
The class five sprint handicap over the minimum trip was won in very comfortable style by Albany Rose who had won at Bath over six the night before. This showed her adaptability. I was quite impressed with the manner of the victory and it will be interesting how she is re-assessed given this penalty based OR65 run. She came trough strongly on the favoured stands rail to challenge inside the final furlong and quickly assert. The genuine and good benchmark Whitecrest was a well held second off OR 68 with the pair clear. She remains a maiden but not many are won by exposed sorts off her sort of mark. Of the others Johnny Handcox is now off a good mark, gives every impression will be suited by a sharp five such as Catterick and ran well today in a similar fashion to how he ran when I saw him at Nottingham last month. Re-assessed at OR 61 and can win off that at the right track. The fancied Hootys Agogo was a great dissapointment although appeared to be slightly hampered two out. Whilst might have finished nearer I would say had no chance of winning this. I thought today offered a great chance and on the basis of this needs a drop in class.
The hard working Albany Rose wins again within 24 hours of run previous evening at Bath
Another handicap sprint followed this time over six for class 4. It was won by the punter outsider Serenas Pride who won this quite cosily by a head. She had been running with credit as a juvenille in group races including at Royal Ascot. This led to a very high mark which has taken a klong time to come down. She now has a good mark of OR73. Well suited by six or seven she is likely to go close again off a similar mark. Stevie Gee fought hard and just went down. Was favoured by the draw and a bit unlucky to meet one on such a good mark. He is though better siuted by a stiffer track eg Carlisle. Third home was Tyflos who held every chance entering the final two furlongs but did not have the pace. Silver Wind ran with credit but although suited by six looks a bit too high in the weights at the moment. Of particular note is the badly drawn Picabo who was favourite. Never in with a shout and not given a hard race has won on fastish ground over six, is a hold up horse and probably a will win when wanted type.
Cantering down for the third
Tyflos leads the way into the enclosure after finishing third
Big race of the day was the Eternal stakes for three year old fillies over seven furlongs. It was won in very impressive style by Khor Sheed. Won good races as a two year old including listed event. Ran well in similar when second at Nottingham last run, acts well at Newmarket and looks capable of stepping up to group company. Manner of win suggests she can stay a mile (pedigree supports step up in trip) if held up in similar fashion to today's effort. Sweetie Time may have been well beaten but she did run with credit staying on well after being prominent throughout to just get up for second. Had beaten Khor Sheen on soft ground and it could be that she may well be seen to better effect with a bit of cut. She is useful and may yet win condition / listed although I think a mile will suit well. Masaya again was outpaced when holding every chance two out in a listed event and I would say she is not at this level. Biggest disappointment was the well regarded Eucharist who was held up towards the rear. Made some ground approaching two out, failed to qicken into a challenging position and was eased down final furlong. However I doubt she is listed level based on this run and her other efforts. Masaya ran a fair race again to be thrid. She is a genuine filly but not up to listed company and probably exposed thus on a high end handicap mark. Carrignavar was outpaced final couple of furlongs and probably does not stay seven in this class. Sadafiya looked fit and well.
Khor Sheed kicks on for a comprehensive classy win
The second division of the seven furlongs maiden stakes was a higher class even won in good style by Above Standard. He ran a bit green but quickened nicely two out and outpaced this lot to win by a very comfortable two lengths. I saw him run with credit on his racecourse debut when fifth in the prestigious Wood Dittton stakes at the craven meeting where he was also very inexperienced. Clearly well regarded, is sure to come on for this win and can make listed class probably over this seven but pedigree suggests a mile. The second home was the eyecatching staying on second without getting anything like a hard time. Brick Dust looked a nice sort in the paddock and whilst not up to the winner in terms of class must hold great chance of losing maiden tag soon. Running style may suggest further, I think seven suits just right and ridden closer to the front will give every chance of winning next run. I am particularly keen on his chances of winning and I thnk in time will be interestig in NH field. Third home Thuda was outpaced from the turn into the srfaight and although ran OK looks a sprinter and so slip back to six may prove best.Perfect Mission was the 9/4 second favourite and showed lack of pace.
Useful Above Standard wins in a canter
There was a three year old handicap set at class 5 over 1 mile 3f. Itwas a fairly trappy contest but had a real hard luck stody when 100/30 favourite Amistress encoountered all sorts of travel problems, eventually got a vlear run was flying coming home to fail by a short head. Very unlucky. Goes well at Nottingham and for Cathy Gannon, has been in great form this season. The winner was Fallon ridden Ugo who benefited from the favourite's problems.Looks a tricky ride as although has a turn of foot his effort is short lived so timing is everythng.
Pulling up after the race
Final race was a modest apprentice race over a mile. It was won quite comfortably by Qeethaan who had run badly since coming over from Ireland in May and hadn't won since 2008. Nothing much of note from this race I would say.
Noted Horses
Kawssaj (P) level
Needs a mile. Won his next race but that was over seven so not backed. Not tried over a mile last season and now shelved
Khor Sheed (P) up £7
1 7/10
Group horse over a mile. Tride next over seven so left followed that by winng a mile group 3. No further runs
Above Standard (P)level
Best suited by a mile. But never tried over this trip as stuck to seven with no success. As such was not a betting medium
Brick Dust (P)down £30
0 4 0
looks to suit seven and could be a NH in time. However ws a big disappointment being well beaten and then shelved