Racecards
16:20 Goodwood
Vodafone E.B.F. Maiden Stakes (Class 2)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey Willie Supple
took keen hold in touch, weakening when not much room 2f out
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer J Noseda
- Jockey Mick Kinane
dwelt, green and soon ridden in rear, headway on outside and kept on steadily final furlong
- Form 2
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Ted Durcan
midfield, headway on outside from 3f out, ridden to dispute 2nd entering final furlong, until no extra final 100 yards
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
dwelt, green, soon pushed along and always in rear
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
led to 4f out, tracked leader, led again 3f out, headed 2f out, weakening when not much room on rail over 1f out
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer P & O Cole
- Jockey N Callan
rearing in stalls, soon tracked leaders, ridden and not much room over 1f out, keeping on one pace when bumped inside final furlong
Opera Cape
21- Form 32
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
pulled hard early, steadied tracking leaders in 5th, led 2f out, ridden and in command over 1f out, ran on well
- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
tracked leaders, chased winner from 2f out, one pace and held final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey T Quinn
dwelt, behind, headway on outer over 1f out, keeping on steadily when bumped inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
very green to post, in touch on inside, pushed along halfway, headway on rails when badly hampered twice over 1f out, switched left and ran on well final furlong to take 2nd towards finish
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey E Ahern
pulled hard and prominent, led 4f out to 3f out, weakened rapidly and eased 2f out
In depth
Verdict
Not much public information to go on, so a far from confident selection is given to the well-bred Hitchcock, while True Cause and Alkhabar are interesting newcomers that should be noted in the betting market. Gracechurch and Peppertree Lane have experience on their side and both can be expected to put improve performances if the form of their respective stablemates is anything to go by. Still, they already have improvement to find and may be best watched on this occasion. Alkhabar is a half-brother to a couple of useful types that won as juveniles. And, as his trainer delights in sending a winner out at his local course, a move for this son of Kingmambo should not be dismissed lightly. True Cause is out of a seven furlong winner and makes plenty of appeal on pedigree. However, being by Storm Cat, he may not want the ground to be on the soft side and may also be one simply for the notebook this afternoon. Therefore, we turn to the familiar figure of Kieren Fallon in our search for the winner. The nine-times champion jockey can be expected to give Hitchcock a much more positive ride now that he has an idea of what is required of him. And the experience they hold between them can prove to be the decisive factor.
Formwatch
Alf Tupper Atraf colt, full brother to middle-distance winner Easibet Dot Net.
Alkhabar (USA) Kingmambo colt, half-brother to 7f-1m4f winner Hezaam.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) Kingmambo colt out of useful middle-distance performer Palme d'Or.
Gracechurch (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, not clear run over 1f out, strong run on rail inside final furlong, gaining towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind In The Fashion (8-9) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Hotel du Cap Grand Lodge colt out of winning miler Miss Riviera Golf.
Mr Floodlight (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 14l behind Humungous (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn (5) frm.
Munnings (IRE) Selkirk colt out of 1m4f winner Silly Goose.
Opera Cape 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, challenged and led approaching 1f out, ran on well final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 16, nk behind Humungous (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn (5) frm.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 3f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Nihal (8-9) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Permanex Pride (IRE) Ashkalani colt, half-brother to 2 winners.
True Cause (USA) Storm Cat colt out of the useful 7f-1m2f winner Dearly.
War Sword (USA) Diesis colt out of an unraced daughter of Indian Skimmer.
Hitchcock (USA) 9-4 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd and ridden over 2f out, 4th and no impression final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Heliostatic (9-0) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gf.