Racecards
17:00 Newcastle
Foster's Lager Maiden Stakes (Class D)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
Karju (IRE)
264- Form 0-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey P Hanagan
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer P Harris
- Jockey Tony Culhane
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f, never troubled leaders
- Form 3
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Sir H R A Cecil
- Jockey T Quinn
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey R Winston
chased leaders, ridden and wandered over 2f out, soon weakened
Bravo Dancer
60- Form 204-3
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey C Catlin
made most, ridden over 2f out, hard pressed from over 1f out, rallied and rider lost whip inside final furlong, held on well
In depth
Verdict
A weak race on what is otherwise an excellent card, and although Colophony has been getting rave reviews on the Newmarket gallops, the Cecil string is in woeful form, and it may be worth taking him on with Mick Channon's Bravo Dancer. Colophony is a nicely-bred individual who shaped well enough on his debut at York, when he finished third behind Wessex. He has reportedly been pleasing his trainer in his homework since then, and is likely to have plenty of support here, particularly as this extra furlong should suit him. But Henry Cecil's horses have not been running well, and Bravo Dancer could be the one to take him on with. This Acatenango filly had three fair runs as a juvenile, most notably when fourth in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket, and should strip fitter for her reappearance, when she was odds on but could only manage third at Bath in April. The stable is in better form now than it was then, the drop back to a mile is likely to suit, and as the other runners make little appeal she gets a confident vote here.