Racecards
15:05 Wolverhampton
Pontin's Holidays Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 1m 141y
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Fibresand
- £5,000 added
- Form 85
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer B R Millman
- Jockey J Millman
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
- Form 34
- Age 7
- Weight 9-5
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
- Form 8-00003
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 40
- Trainer M Mullineaux
- Jockey E Ahern
prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 70-0690
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 40
- Trainer M Mullineaux
- Jockey Sonia Eaton
took keen hold, prominent, lost place 4f out, no real danger after
- Form 5-8202
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 66
led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 060/969
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 40
- Trainer S R Bowring
- Jockey Dean McKeown
slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off 4f out
Sweet Medicine
136- Form 233440
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer P Howling
- Jockey Tony Culhane
held up towards rear, headway final furlong, never near leaders
Chia (IRE)
20- Form 539223
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer D Haydn Jones
- Jockey F Norton
always prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong
- Form 32
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer N A Callaghan
- Jockey W Buick
in touch, ridden to lead to just over 1f out, ran on well
- Form 9
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer G A Huffer
- Jockey J-P Guillambert
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, struggling over 2f out
In depth
Verdict
The short list for the maiden consists of Arabian Sea, Call My Bluff and Foreign Language, with the selection being Foreign Language. Arabian Sea's Kempton handicap second off a mark of 78 in May stands out as form here and a repeat of that for his new stable would make him hard to beat, although he has already been tried - unsuccessfully - in blinkers. Call My Bluff's Kempton handicap second off a mark of 66 last time affords him respect, while Chia has justifiably earned a rating in the low 60s so has place claims. Exexcutive Paddy has been doing well for connections over hurdles, but a better option looks to be Foreign Language who, despite having been beaten at odds on last time, should fare better if relaxing a little better today and is one to seriously consider. Finally, Gizmo cost 32,000 guineas and rates as an interesting newcomer but, overall, we are prepared to give Foreign Language another chance and, accordingly, he gets the vote.
Formwatch
Executive Paddy (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Held up, headway 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Symbol Of Peace (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Call My Bluff (FR) 25-1 (8-3) Keen hold, headway and plenty to do over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to take 2nd close home but no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Follow The Colours (8-0) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Gizmo Fasliyev colt out of Sly Baby, half brother to The Flying Saucer.
Global Strategy 7-1 (9-3) Soon outpaced, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 12l behind Barney McGrew (9-3) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
Sweet Medicine 10-1 (9-6) Held up, always towards rear, last of 14, 44l behind Celtique (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Chia (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tous Les Deux (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Foreign Language (USA) 10-11fav (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Rapid City (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol.
Arabian Sea (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, joined leader over 2f out, every chance, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 6l behind Royal Amnesty (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jun.