Racecards
18:30 Epsom Downs
Weatherbys Bank Maiden Stakes (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
Blade Pirate
38- Form 0490
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer J Ryan
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
with winner until over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
Book Keeper
14- Form 6
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M Al Zarooni
- Jockey Ahmed Ajtebi
in rear, headway to mid-division after 2f, headway on inside over 3f out, repeatedly not clear run on inside from over 2f out, switched right inside final furlong then left, lost 2nd near finish
- Form 45
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer P W Chapple-Hyam
- Jockey T P Queally
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge
Dr Darcey
20- Form 84
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Exchange
12- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey L Dettori
keen and tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey W Buick
in rear, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never nearer
- Form 65
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey S Hitchcott
in rear, headway on inside 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on to go 2nd near finish
Screenprint
16- Form 6
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey Hayley Turner
made most, ridden 2f out, edged right then left inside final furlong, ridden out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
All of these maidens have seen a course before, but still check the market to see what's being backed or swerved, while our preference is for EXCHANGE ahead of Dr Darcey and Pigeon Hollow. Willie Haggas' colt was given an easy time of things on his debut, but hopes must be high for him, given his entry for the Doncaster Wetherby's Insurance Stakes in the autumn. Frankie Dettori on board is an eye -catching jockey booking. Dr Darcey is better drawn and returns to seven furlongs after dropping back to six on his second run in which he showed some improvement. He's qualified for handicaps after this run and may fare better in that sort of company, but he's also got a couple of entries for maidens on Saturday at Doncaster and Lingfield. Pigeon Hollow may be a good each way price, so hopefully the eight scheduled starters will all go to post. Mick Channon won this race last year, and although Pigeon Hollow's yet to beat a rival in his two runs to date, he's run very green so far but may now have the hang of things. Keep a close track on the market, but in the absence of that, we'll side with Exchange.
Formwatch
Blade Pirate 66-1 (8-9) Chased leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 11th of 13, 17l behind Capaill Liath (8-11) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Book Keeper 9-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 9l behind Surrey Star (8-12) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd.
Degly Bo (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, lost place when not much room on inside 4f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace no impression, 5th of 12, 7l behind Ocean Drift (9-3) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Dr Darcey 5-1 (9-3) With leader, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 11l behind The Long Game (9-0) at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (3) gf.
Exchange 8-1 (9-3) Dwelt, always in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 8, 8l behind Fight The Chance (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Key West (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Always in rear, last of 15, 29l behind Libranno (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in May.
Pigeon Hollow 40-1 (9-3) Dwelt,early reminders, soon badly outpaced and always well behind, last of 5, 18l behind Sonoran Sands (9-3) at Brighton 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) fm.
Screenprint 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 10l behind Whaileyy (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf.