A competitive heat, this Class 2 contest (Plus 10) for those entitles giving a potential win of £21,828.
Nine two-year-olds take part. Mostly raced with six colts and three fillies taking their chance over the turning five furlong where a low draw can be paramount.
1) Anthem Of Peace -
Went much to fast of debut at Windsor. Interesting Brian Meehan comes here and although a big price - lots to prove - could run well if learning from that initial start.
2) Arcadian Rocks -
Prime draw in stall (1). Mick Channon's team are in good form. Ran in a small but competitive race at Salisbury on debut and far from disgraced. Difficult to assess the form but a few nice-looking horses in opposition and worthy of respect.
3) Awake In Asia -
A wide draw isn't the best starting point for David Evans' charge. This son of Dragon Pulse has been placed on two starts, defeated by decent types. Beaten a few lengths and may need to find improvement.
4) Finoah -
Tom Dascombe sends a lot of two-year-olds here and this son of Kodiac didn't show too much ability when behind Awake In Asia but open to improvement on his second start.
5) Swift Justice -
Another representative for Tom Dascombe and Manor House Stables. This son of Sixties Icon cost 50,000G at the yearling sales. Will need to be prime and clued up to win. Turning courses are never easy for debutantes.
6) Ynys Mon -
Charlie Hills is , much like his father, Barry, selective in the horses he runs at Chester. This son of Olympic Glory is a good-looking colt. He was well backed at Bath on debut but looked inexperienced and the testing ground didn't help. He ran much better at Newmarket but very keen. In ways, this bay colt did well to finish second, which shows a level of ability. This turning course may help save a little energy for the straight. Could well lead although that may provoke him to pull hard. It is always difficult to bet on a horse which displays temperament because you have two gambles to start with. I like this horse but at the odds may be best watched.
7) Elieden -
Another debutante for Gay Kelleway. This bay daughter of Camacho cost just £4000 at the breeze-up sales. This filly has a mountain to climb from stall 9. Interesting to consider she has been entered for this Class 2 race and also a selling race. This is a conflict of interests and a puzzle. I would take a watching brief.
8) Lady Kinsale -
Eric Alston is no stranger to talented sprinter but with very few two-year-olds in the stable they rarely achieve a great deal. This grey filly cost £25,000 at the breeze-up sales. Alston had her entered for the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes but favoured this race. A wide draw makes this very hard work.
9) Wedding Date -
Richard Hannon's filly made her debut at Brighton when a promising second behind James Watt, who is considered a decent type by Michael Bell. Difficult to assess the level of that form but worthy of respect. Draw 6 isn't ideal but may be ok for a horse with experience.
Verdict: Ynys Mon is a decent horse and well drawn. The only fear is if he boils over and pulls too hard. It would be enough to put me off betting.