Five two-year-olds declared. Four with race experience. Two winners. Unbeaten. One debutante. Quite an interesting race in its own way.
The winners trained by Richard Fahey and Richard Hannon respectively.
Bengali Boys is trained by Fahey. This grey son of Clodovil was a cheap yearling purchase at just 11,000 euros. This March foal ran well on debut at Beverley at auction class. The third that day has won since while the fourth disappointed. In truth, Bengali Boys held some advantage over the opposition and hold decent claims.
Richard Hannon's early juveniles had been running poorly but the string must have moved forward a little since those concerns. Mutanaaseq is an expensive buy to gain entry for such a race type considering this son of Red Jazz cost 125,000G. He looked an unlikely winner at Bath. A slow start, sitting off the pace, and a number of lengths behind the even-money favourite Big Time Maybe it looked a little forlorn. However, Dane O'Neill didn't give up hope and this chestnut colt won by a short head. He is likely to improve a good deal from that first run and this more galloping course is a better course. There is always a slight concern a slow starter may display those signs again so it is worth factoring into the price if you are betting. I would suspect that was more to do with inexperience although an extra furlong may be more suiting.
The name Jim Rockford will ring a bell with a few readers of a certain age. He is a horse too. There was plenty to like about this horse although an equal measure of worry about his attitude on debut. Ralph Beckett's charge wasn't overly fancied on debut in what looks a hot maiden. Racing in the familiar silks of the Chelsea Thoroughbred - The Rockford Files he was much too keen. This son of Showcasing was purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales for £47,000. He finished sixth but beaten ess than four lengths. There is a chance he will be keen unless that exuberance has been exstinguished by his trainer. Potentially, a fair horse.
Richard Fahey fields another horse in the shape of Sinaloa. He cost 52,000 euros at the yearling sales and beaten favourite at Pontefract on debut. It is difficult to assess that first start. Richard Guest had the well-backed winner. He doesn't get too many talented two-year-olds but clearly, this horse had some reputation. Sinaloa either needed the run or would appreciate an extra furlong to show his worth. This son of Camacho was slow away although gradually got going and wasn't disgraced.
The only debutante in the line-up is Tom Dascombe's colt named Story Minister. This £45,000 yearling is owned by John Dance who is no stranger to success. It is a tough call to oppose winners and unless seriously backed I would take a watching brief.
Conclusion: The two winners have to shoulder a penalty which may just make this a test. Trying to limit a winner is very difficult. I wouldn't like to pick between them. Jim Rockford was much too keen on debut but not beaten too far in what might be a hot race. Sinaloa was ring rusty on debut before running on. Story Minister may have a chance if strongly backed but I would take a watching brief if weak in the market. I would take a watching race because there doesn't seem much value and a competitive if not difficult heat.
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