The Flying Childers Stakes looks set for another cracking renewal, and although there are lots of big stables with Requinto, Burwaaz, Lilbourne Lad and Angels Will Fall all representing powerful yards, I think it will come down to two horses, depending on the ground. If it comes up good, My Propellor will be difficult to beat, following up her impressive maiden win with a listed win at York. However my value option is KOHALA for the David Barron yard. A model of consistency, and the form from her Queen Mary 4th is absolutely rock solid. She sets the standard.
Few of interest in this one, with no real obvious stand out pick. Eternal Heart ran a good race behind Motrice at Goodwood two weeks ago, and Will Buick has kept the ride on the Mark Johnston colt, which is of interest. Precision Break won this race off a 1lb lower mark, but faces five more rivals than last year, and may struggle for fitness on only his second run of the season. The Fallon factor sways us with BOURNE, who looked an out and out potential stayer when second in the Old Newton Cup. He stayed on strongly, has that man Fallon on board, and has a low weight to carry, and the Luca Cumani gelding may hold the key.
Absolute banker of the meeting runs in the Doncaster Cup and that is my trusty OPINION POLL, whom I napped last time out in the Goodwood Cup, and should once more be too strong against a much inferior field. Trip of 2m 2f should suit the Godolphin animal moreso than anyone else, and his form is absolutely rock solid. The more rain the better, and that will only effect the winning distance. Cue a flying dismount for the Doncaster locals!
Toughest race on the card is the May Hill Stakes, a fillies group two, with some promising juveniles. Samitar sets the obvious benchmark, winning the Albany and then being an arguabley unlucky runner up at Newmarket next time out. Regal Realm looked highly progressive from her recent group three win, and has some promising entries. As does John Gosden's Fallen For You, whose maiden form has worked out well, and the daughter of Dansili is entered in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket. Hard to stray from SAMITAR however, who should relish the conditions and sets the best standard.
Another horse with a seemingly bright future is the Sheikh Hamdan horse EKTIHAAM, and although it pains me to side for a horse with Richard Hills on board, he looks to be potentially a superstar. Entered in the Royal Lodge, Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy, he made easy work of Harvard n' Yale in his maiden, who is another extremely well bred colt, and then won a Newmarket maiden next time out. Even Richard Hills can get this one home chaps!
BELOW ZERO looks a colt who has sneaked his way ahead of the handicapper, and although carries a 6lb penalty for a recent victory, looks well in. After finishing third in the second leg of the Betfair Summer Double, he was punted off the boards with Fran Berry on in the September Handicap at Leopardstown, winning very cosily. The big danger looks to be the Easterby gelding Grissom seeking the hatrick, but again we put our faithin King Kieren!
Final race of the card, tough classified stakes, a race where three year olds have an excellent record, Godolphin's Willing Foe building on the record last year. Two stand outs come in the Mashaaref for Richard Hills and Roger Varian, a son of Cape Cross who is fairly unexposed, and Beaten Up for William Haggas and Richard Hughes, an unbeaten gelding aiming to build upon a solid maiden win in April at Ripon. Hard to pick between the two but based on BEATEN UP's maiden form, we shall side with Yorkshireman William Haggas in the lucky last.
1.25 Kohala
1.55 Bourne
2.25 Opinion Poll (Nap)
3.00 Samitar
3.35 Ektihaam (Nb)
4.10 Below Zero
4.40 Beaten Up
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