Racecards
15:05 Newbury
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing E.B.F. Maiden Stakes (Div 2) (Str) (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Firm (Good in Places on the Straight course)
- Surface: Turf
- £6,550 added
- Winner: £4,237
- 2nd: £1,261
- 3rd: £630
- 4th: £315
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer H Adielsson
- Jockey James Doyle
took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey R Hills
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took 2nd close home, no chance with winner
- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
led, joined halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, slightly brushed 1f out, no chance with winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Mrs A J Perrett
- Jockey Jim Crowley
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey W Buick
tracked leading pair and always travelling well, joined leader 4f out, led on bit over 2f out, shaken up green and edged right briefly 1f out, soon quickened clear, easily
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
pulled hard, tracked leader until 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Opera Buff
33- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer S Kirk
- Jockey L P Keniry
tracked leading trio, ridden, staying on same pace and no impression when slightly pushed right 1f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer H Candy
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never threatened
- Form 9
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey M Dwyer
slowly into stride, behind most of way and never on terms
In depth
Verdict
This looks the weaker of the two divisions but there are still a number of promising types taking part. Gold Sceptre only beat one home on his Salisbury debut but was very green and should do better here. He makes most appeal of those with experience but Richard Hannon also saddles debutant Next Cry. Farhaan hails from solid stock while Jungle Beat's dam was full sister to a Grade 2 winner in the States and also holds a Derby entry, as does RUGGED CROSS. Henry Candy is more than capable of getting his two-year-olds ready at home and this 55,000gns half-brother to smart performers Blue Monday and Lundy's Lane is well worth a second look on his introduction.
Formwatch
Compton Target (IRE) Strategic Prince gelding out of Tarakana.
Farhaan (USA) Jazil colt out of Alshadiyah.
Gold Sceptre (FR) 4-1 (9-3) Hampered start, behind, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, soon no impression, 7th of 8, 4l behind Shamrocked (9-3) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Hidden Justice (IRE) Lawman gelding out of Uncharted Haven.
Jungle Beat (IRE) Galileo colt out of Flamingo Guitar.
Next Cry (USA) Street Cry colt out of Storm Alert.
Opera Buff 9-1 (9-3) Dwelt in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 7l behind Harbour Watch (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (2) gs in Jun.
Rugged Cross Cape Cross colt out of Lunda.
Vergrigio (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Started slowly, ran green and never going towards rear, driven and struggling halfway, 9th of 10, 14l behind Talwar (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Star For Life (USA) Giant's Causeway colt out of Clerical Etoile.