A Maiden Stakes over 5f on Standard going.
Six horses take part: one four-year-old gelding and five horses aged three. All bar one have racecourse experience.
Derek Shaw fields the only debutante Tartufo Classico. This son of Paco Boy was bred by Lyndsey Shaw. The dam, Tartatartufata, was an out and out sprinter who raced for many years and achieved a highest official rating of 89. This bay gelding is still in the ownership of the breeder. Shaw doesn't, usually, have his debates fired up and chomping at the bit. It isn't beyond the realms but unlikely. In addition, an age penalty makes life harder because the three-year-olds seem to take advantage of this system. To be fair, this isn't a badly bred horse so connections should see an able sprinter in time.
The twice-raced Kowaiyess hails from a mighty owner in Hamdan Al Maktoum. Owen Burrows knows his horses. This bay gelding is a son of Exceed And Excel out of a dual-winning mare who raced at Group class. She had a highest official rating of 107. Kowaiyess was relatively fancied on debut when finishing third at odds of 7-1. It wasn't the strongest maiden but he was slowly into stride before running on strongly in the closing stages but never going to catch the leading pair. He ran well the second start when held by a short head. Looks a fine chance at short odds.
Rae Guest is a class trainer. I particularly like the way he places his juveniles/debutantes because it shows he knows exactly what they can achieve. Many trainers seem wholly poor at making the most of winning opportunities. Midnightly was fancied to go well on debut. To be fair, it didn't look the strongest of races. Mercers won in professional style, making the most of her experience. It was telling she was made favourite that day and detailed a weakness in the opposition. Midnightly is a 50,000G foal, bought in by the vendor. She should improve for that debut.
Three C's has been kept busy by David Dennis. This bay gelding has raced five times for Favourites Racing Ltd. Connections have a consistent horse, if not a star, who has gone well a number fo times. They must have been left deflated at Brighton when disappointing at odds of 4/11. Clearly, something was amiss that day and not been seen for two hundred and thirty-one days.This son of Kodiac has an official rating of 77 which isn't bad for maidens this time of year.
Vicky Park is trained by George Margarson. She hasn't achieved a great deal in two starts. This daughter of Compton Place is out of a sprinter mare, Sonko, who readers may remember. A bonny type who won six times in her career. Owned and bred by J A Khan, the apprentice takes off a handy 7lb. She was relatively fancied on debut so there is a chance she may have disappointed first and second start. On balance, that is unlikely but stranger things have happened. If seriously backed it would bring more confidence.
Conclusion: An interesting race in ways. It looks out of the two favourites: Kowaiyess and Midnightly. The former has ability while the latter needs to improve after that promising debut. At the prices, I'm not sure which I would favour. Burrow's charge has to come off a long absence so needs to be fit and ready. Three C's would have a chance at best but another who has something to prove after beaten favourite at big odds on.
A watching brief.