On The Warpath cruised to an easy victory over course and distance. Impressive. Fair enough it may not have been the best race of all time but there was a lot to like about this colt trained by Sir Mark Prescott.
A 7lb penalty may take a little glimmer off his shine. However, he won that day as if 20lbs wouldn't have made his backers' smile turn to a frown.
James Givens' G Eye Joe contested that race. This juvenile, in the ownership of The Cool Silk Partnership, was once considered for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2).
Fancied on debut at Ascot, he showed little. This son of Lethal Force was short in the betting before drifting markedly when paralysed by the speed of the above-mentioned charge. I had a small each-way bet and felt peeved to see this February foal snubbed on the line for third. Like having two slaps around the face: one for optimism and another just in case I needed to learn a lesson. Interesting to see if he can show more today? He seemed ring rusty if not plainly outpaced. Watching him eclipsed by orange silks with orange stars left me feeling like a lemon!
It left a sour taste.
A much bigger price today, but need to prove that last effort was all wrong. Not beyond the realms although I'm not keen on question marks?
The silks of Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd are familiar to most racing fans. They know a decent horse when they have one.
Ulyssees comes to mind.
Magnetic Boundary is trained by George Scott, a handler who seems to disappoint too many times for my liking. I mean regarding well-backed debutantes who fall on their own sword. This American-bred of Union Rags is a home-bred from a decent family. He was fancied to go well on debut over course and distance and foiled by Tallow for William Haggas. The pair separated by a length and ten lengths clear of the third. You couldn't knock that performance and there could be more to come.
*Pastamakesufaster had shown next to no ability to being well backed and flying home at Goodwood. She went to Deauville last time out on very soft going. David Evans' bay filly was relatively fancied in the betting but finished last of seven. Probably ran too bad to be true. Worthy of respect if backed although has to defy a penalty.
Karl Burke's Line House won last time out and has a win penatly. Previously trained by Robyn Brisland. Priced to hold each-way claims.
Unless backed, the rest are best watched.
Conclusion: Not a race I can see myself getting too involved. On The Warpath looked impressive last time, enjoying the surface and turn. Even with a penalty, you would be hardpressed to bet on anything else. There could be a few punters looking to bet Magnetic Boundary each way. He ran well on debut and should hit the frame. Pastamakesufaster won well with an official rating of just 60. She was clearly well in that day. A big run was expected and seen. It says the merit she is held by competing at Listed class when travelling to France. Another horse with a weight penalty. May struggle against the colts but still something of an unknown quantity. G Eye Joe may be worth a speculative bet if drifting to huge odds on the exchanges. However, you will be banking on him disappointing last time out when thrashed by On The Warpath. It would have to be a speculative punt and I think I'd close my eyes and just listen to the commentary than watch.
*NR
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