Racecards
14:20 Pontefract
E.b.f. Betfred.com Maiden Stakes (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £7,000 added
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey K Darley
dwelt and towards rear, pushed along halfway, brought wide and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
Barraland
16- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey S Hitchcott
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
Cee Bargara
13- Form 52
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J A Osborne
- Jockey T P Queally
reared at start, soon prominent, switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J S Wainwright
- Jockey Dean McKeown
took keen hold behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung right and weakened inside final furlong
- Form 2
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey Hayley Turner
jumped right at start, soon led, ridden 2f out staying on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Mrs A Duffield
- Jockey R Ffrench
mid-division and soon chased along, ridden along when outpaced 2f out, stayed on towards finish
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Miss V Haigh
- Jockey E Creighton
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Several interesting types are pitched against each other, with Cee Bargara making the most appeal from those to have raced before, while betting market confidence behind the likes of Smileforawhile, Thomas Malory and Zaplamation would be noteworthy. The last named is by Acclamation, who has made a bright start as a stallion. But, while he is bred to be effective at the trip, David Barker has been quiet of late and, as this is the trainer's first juvenile to be introduced this term, he may be best watched on this occasion. Thomas Malory also makes appeal on breeding and would be dangerous to ignore. He is related to several European sprint winners and he looks a likely type to draw blood in a race of this nature. Smileforawhile - a son of Green Desert - is another related to a hatful winners and should come into his own over slightly further in time. The fact that he has already been gelded is a point of interest, but he represents a top yard; so market support would be folly to dismiss. Irving Place is also worth a mention, as he shaped nicely on debut at Nottingham a fortnight ago. Still, that form has taken a few knocks since and he is not one to be diving in with at cramped odds. Therefore, we prefer the claims of Cee Bargara, who posted a much improved effort at Ripon last time out. The Jamie Osborne-trained colt is going the right way and can pay off the first chunk of the 30,000gns his connection paid out for him as a foal.
Formwatch
Atabaas Pride Pivotal colt out of winning miler Atabaa.
Barraland 10-1 (9-3) Slowy into stride, held up in touch, headway 2f out, staying on one pace when slightly hampered entering final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sauze d'Oulx (8-13) at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Cee Bargara 9-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden along and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Cristal Clear (8-12) at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Fyodorovich (USA) Stravinsky colt, half-brother to several winners from 6f-1m2f.
Irving Place 2-1fav (9-3) Held up, effort 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Grand Fleet (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) Distant Music colt, brother to winning sprinter Northern Chorus and miler Ballyshane Spirit.
Smileforawhile (IRE) Green Desert gelding, half-brother to 1m1f winner Glad Eye.
Thomas Malory (IRE) Mujadil colt, half-brother to several winning sprinters including useful 6f-1m winner Sonda.
Zaplamation (IRE) Acclamation colt out of an unraced mare from an outstanding family.