soon led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, not pace to challenge
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, effort and hung left over 1f out, soon beaten
Ouqba is the suggestion in a tricky heat which has only seen two successful favourites in ten years. A lack of racecourse experience has proved no barrier to success in this race and there are two interesting newcomers to consider this year. The Chapple-Hyam juveniles have been slow to come to hand this season but if the signs over the next day or so are more positive then Maxwell Hawke would clearly merit respect. His yard sent out Hamoody to make a winning start to his career in this race in 2006 and this Rock Of Gibraltar colt is bred to make a fast juvenile. Kentish Dream hails from a yard that houses some useful juveniles and his dam won at two but there is also a fair bit of stamina on the distaff side and this is a stiff introduction. Versaki and Brae Hill have to bounce back from modest runs in the Coventry and Windsor Castle Stakes respectively and both have to concede weight. The former made a winning debut on soft ground before weakening quickly having shown up well for a long way last time; the form book suggests that he's up against it but it would be folly to rule him out. Michael Bell's runner was quietly fancied for the Windsor Castle but got involved in a bit of scrimmaging and was well held; he won his maiden impressively, should be effective on soft ground and will certainly appreciate the extra furlong on offer this afternoon. He'll be fancied to show up well but we're going to take Ouqba to make the most of the weight that he receives. The Hills yard is another that hasn't quite hit their expected heights this season but recent signs have been more encouraging and there's plenty to admire about this colt's two runs to date. He finished a never nearer third to Art Connoiseur on debut before having the misfortune to bump into subsequent Listed second Finjaan next time out when appearing to find the good to firm going too fast as he changed his legs several times in the race. The recent rain will have taken the jar out of the ground and will enable OUQBA to open his account.
