Racecards
14:35 Salisbury
Herbert And Gwen Blagrave Maiden Stakes (colts and geldings) (Class D)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 6f 212y
- Going: Firm, Good to Firm in places
Darn Good
12- Form 04
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey R Hills
slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, switched left over 2f out, ridden and good headway to lead 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, easily
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey S J Drowne
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, outpaced 2f out, rallied and stayed on well final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey C Catlin
chased leader, ridden and led over 2f out, headed 2f out, one pace
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer P & O Cole
- Jockey D Holland
pulled early and settled in rear, switched left and ridden over 3f out, ran on from 2f out, but not pace of winner
In depth
Verdict
Although there are some potentially useful newcomers in the line-up here, Thomas Lawrence ran well on his debut and will prove a tough nut to crack. Noted making good late headway over five furlongs on his recent debut, Paul Cole's colt is sure to appreciate this step up in trip and the stable is in much better form now, after a quiet spell. He can put his experience to good use and normal improvement will see him hard to beat. Darn Good hails from the Richard Hannon stable which has a good record with juveniles at this track, and he finished a fair fourth in a seven furlong Sandown maiden recently, so has to be considered. However, a bigger threat may come from one of the newcomers here, and Carmine Silk and Muckabell make particular appeal. The former is trained by John Dunlop, and is a half-brother to a first time out winner, so any market support could be interesting for this one, while the booking of Kieren Fallon for Andrew Balding's colt, Muckabell, catches the eye and he too is worth noting. However, Thomas Lawrence, as we've already said, has the form in the book and he looks the safest option here.