Seven runners, five three-year-olds and one four-year-old take part, five with race experience and two debutantes.
Deep Dream is the oldest filly in this field being four. This bay daughter of Dream Ahead was an expensive foal at 170,000G. The mare was a talent racing twenty times trained by James Givens. She won twice at Group 3, concluding her career when second from last at Group 1. Jessica's Dream [mare] achieved a highest official rating of 108. A gifted horse with total prize earnings of £144,581.
Deep Dream is trained by Andrew Balding, racing in the familiar silks of Qatar Racing Ltd.
It's over one year since her debut where she was well-backed racing over 7f. In some respects, that first start proved disappointing when fourth of eight. Interesting to see how this filly goes compared with her opposition considering she has an extra burden of fifteen pounds to shoulder.
Sir Mark Prescott is a law unto himself but an exceptional trainer. Scala Regia wasn't fancied on debut which told the story. This bay daughter of Kyllachy is out of a debut-winning mare who won first and second start before disappointing at Listed class racing in Ireland. Similarly owned by Cyril Humphris, Scala Regia has two starts racing over 5f at Lingfield when slowly away and never troubling leaders. Just seven days later, she stepped up to 6f at Lingfield when showing more ability when third behind Winning Ways. Interesting to see whether connections shovel the coal on the fire or consider handicaps more a fruitful avenue. Fancied in the betting and the type to progress with racing.
Lady Cristal has been kept busy. I actually bet on this filly second start when she ran out of steam. This is her ninth start for Karl Burke who is one of the best trainers in this country. Spigot Lodge know a good bet when they see one and that is probably the focus because when the money is down they often go very close. This daughter of Footstepsinthesand was purchased at two for £26,000. She has shown glimmers of ability including a second at this course. An official rating of just 68 doesn't inspire confidence although one of the more fancied with regards betting.
A couple of debutantes make their appearance for significant trainers.
Kevin Ryan fields Appreciating. This bay daughter of New Approach was bred by The Queen. A cheap two-year-old purchased at just 3,000G. Owner, CN Farm Ltd did well last year with Enjoy Life, a limited handicapper. The stable can strike with debut winners although they are usually priced single figure odds. If weak in the betting, I would take a watching brief.
Angelou is a daughter of Poet's Voice in the ownership of Clipper Logistics. She is trained by David O'Meara and 36,000G yearling purchase. This bay was meant to run quite recently but withdrawn. She was fancied in the betting that day and well found in the market today. Could well hold claims.
Magical Molly Joe was purchased for just £800 by her present owner Lee Woolams. This daughter of Arabian Gleam [who isn't the most sparkling of sires] was relatively fancied on debut but finished last. She showed more ability when stepping down to 6f although needs to find something if the betting is to be believed.
Clean Cut finished last and has a stiff task.
Conclusion: Not a race I will be raiding the bank to bet. Intrigued to see how Deep Dream goes shouldering over a stone extra for being one year older. Andrew Balding does well with his horses on their second start and I would expect a big run. With just seven runners and little chance of an each-way bet [unless you fancy taking big odds-on for a place], this looks a watching horse. Scala Regia is progressing with racing. If strong on the betting it would suggest connection are trying hard. Lady Cristal is fancied in the betting but an official rating of just 68 may detail a few may need to falter. Angelou was meant the other week and could be something of a dark horse. A watching race.