PADDOCK PICKS
Andrew Ayres has seen plenty worthy of the notebook this month
Andrew Ayres draws our attention to future winners
SANDOWN JULY 26 (GOOD-SOFT) 7f two-year-old novice (Class 5) Above average race
BOLD REASON (John Gosden) cost 420,000gns and took the eye despite looking a shade green and burly on his debut.He lobbed along in front until running out of gas before the furlong pole and will improve markedly for the outing. He’s from a family that handles easy ground and can surely win a maiden this autumn.
SANDOWN JULY 27 (SOFT) 5f two-year-old maiden (Class 5) Ordinary form
COUNTERFEIT (Richard Hughes) is a real brute of a colt who still looked short of peak fitness on what was his second outing. He was never seriously involved but looks the part and is probably being campaigned with nurseries/handicaps in mind.Keep an eye on him.
ASCOT JULY 28 (GOOD-SOFT) 7f two-year-old fillies novice (Class 4) Fair form
GIVE AND TAKE (William Haggas) didn’t look as forward as some of her rivals and was sent off an unconsidered 20-1 shot. She travelled well in rear after a sluggish start and kept on strongly close home to nab second.This was a solid debut from a filly who will stay further (dam is an unraced half-sister to Fame And Glory) and she could be above average.
EXPRESSIY (Charlie Appleby) is a strong, attractive filly who attracted some support near the off. She raced just behind the pace and ran right to the line for third. She looked to have a sound attitude despite being fitted with a hood for this debut and will be hard to beat next time.
6f two-year-old colts and geldings maiden (Class 2) Restricted to unraced juveniles
MYTHICAL MAGIC (Charlie Appleby) is a particularly mature looking colt and was a massive paddock positive despite getting a tad above himself in the prelims. He delivered in some style, travelling best throughout and winning decisively under a confident Adam Kirby. Mythical Magic went on to land a Listed event in France 16-days later and can bag a Group race this term.
Fillies and Mares Listed (Class 1) Competitive event
NATHRA (John Gosden) looked in good shape on this return from a 308-day break but proved worryingly easy to back and was never really placed to challenge under a sympathetic Frankie Dettori.She came home with plenty in the tank after being denied a run in the straight and showed improved form to finish third in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on August 19. She will win again back against her own sex.
GOODWOOD AUGUST 1( GOOD-SOFT) 1m2f handicap (Class 2) Hot race with a messy finish
UAE PRINCE (Roger Varian) has finally started to mature physically and looked in tremendous shape.He moved particularly well to post but suffered a torrid passage through a ridiculously messy race and did well to finish fourth. He remains well treated off 97 and will surely win a valuable prize this autumn.
SANDOWN AUGUST 2( SOFT) 7f two-year-old novice (Class 5) Fair contest
LA LA LAND (Jamie Osborne) is a deepgirthed, robust individual who looked just in need of the outing. Slowly away and soon in rear, he finished strongly to nab third spot and is certain to improve as he gains experience. There’s a race or two in him.
LEDHAM (Sir Michael Stoute) was the tallest member of the field and showed a low action to post which suggested he would not enjoy the bottomless ground. He loomed up going well at the two furlong pole before predictably getting tired and retreating into fourth. Ledham will be happier on a faster surface and should go well next time.
GOODWOOD AUGUST 4 (SOFT) 1m handicap (Class 2) Red-hot race
BIRCHWOOD (Richard Fahey) looked in
fantastic shape and bounced back to his best by finishing third. A mile probably stretches his stamina to breaking point and this strong-travelling sort can surely pick-up a valuable 7f handicap this autumn.
1m3f three-year-old handicap (Class 3) Above average race
WALTON STREET (Charlie Appleby) is a tall,handsome gelding who did not make his debut until winning a Pontefract maiden in mid-July. He still looked raw here, sitting last turning for home before producing a sustained burst to run out a ready winner. He’s much better than a run-of-the-mill performer and must be followed off a revised mark of 94.
OPINIONATE (Amanda Perrett) has always been a good-looking individual and certainly impressed on this return from a 202-day break. He was coming with a dangerous challenge when hampered two-out and shaped better than his finishing position (seventh) suggests.He’s well treated at present and will win handicaps.
KEMPTON AUGUST 9 (STANDARD-SLOW) 7f two-year-old fillies novice (Class 4) Race that will produce winners
VERANDAH (John Gosden) is the sort of scopey,imposing filly that would stand-out in any paddock. She was allowed to mooch round in rear for the first half of the race before producing a sustained burst from the two furlong pole to win readily. She’s bred to be smart – halfsister to the cracking pair Spacious and Dimension – and must be followed.This is surely a Group winner waiting to happen.
FILLE DE REVE (EdWalker) is an attractive, slightly leggy filly.She was another to start slowly but grabbed the eye travelling strongly up the straight.Jockey Jim Crowley was probably caught napping when Verandah quickened clear on the other side of the pack,but Fille De Reve picked up pleasingly when asked and came home a promising second.She’ll improve and win races.
7f three-year-old handicap (Class 5) Competitive event
TOBRAVE (RogerVarian) did not fulfil his promise in 2016 but has been gelded since and looked in decent shape on this return from a 286-day break. He might have won but for being denied a run at a crucial stage and is obviously well treated at present.Expect a bold show next time.
SANDOWN AUGUST 10( SOFT) 1m two-year-old maiden (Class 5) Impressive winner
DUBHE (Charlie Appleby) is a deepgirthed, handsome colt who will always carry condition. He was heavily backed and impressed throughout the race, moving smoothly in the lead and running out a cosy winner under a confident William Buick. There was plenty to like about this display and he looks a smart prospect.
MT AUGUSTUS (Henry Candy) is a good-looking, athletic colt who looked in need of the experience here. He was never going to be sharp enough to win, but shaped with plenty of promise in fourth and will win races.
NEWBURY AUGUST 18( SOFT) 7f two-year-old maiden (Class 4) Fair form
PURSER (John Gosden) was the subject of heavy support and certainly looked fit for his debut. He was given a perfect introduction by Ryan Moore, being allowed time to find his bearings before getting up close home under hands-and-heels to win by a cosy head.He must have enjoyed this experience and will go on to bigger and better things.
7f two-year-old maiden (Class 4) Fair form
ISTANBUL SULTAN (William Haggas) looked in need of the experience and shaped with plenty of promise in fifth. This was definitely a learning experience and he will be a different proposition next time.
SOLDIERS BAY (Brian Meehan) was notably green and looked clueless to post. Bearing that in mind he did exceptionally well to run on strongly into sixth under a quiet ride. There’s much more to come from this son of a German Listed winner.
5f handicap (Class 4) Ordinary event
STORM OVER (Robert Cowell) looks a proper sprinter and came here defending a two-race unbeaten record. He was well backed near the off but didn’t move like a horse who would appreciate rain-softened ground and started to wheel-spin when asked to quicken inside the final furlong. He did well to finish a close third and remains one to follow.
6f two-year-old fillies novice (Class 4) Fair form
BESHAAYIR (William Haggas) was heavily supported before this debut and made plenty of paddock appeal, being tall and rangy with a touch of class.
She was nursed through the race on badly poached ground and lost nothing in defeat behind a more experienced rival in a tight finish. She will improve past her rivals here and looks useful.
AIM OF ARTEMIS (Sir Michael Stoute) looked backward for this debut but hails from a classy family (half-sister to the smart filly Abingdon) and shaped with real promise in third. She’s got plenty of scope and will win when moved up in trip.
NEWBURY AUGUST 19 (SOFT) 1m2f handicap (Class 4) Run-of-the-mill event
NATHAN (Alan King) has taken an age to come to hand and continued his progress with a ready win. He still looks green – ran about under pressure here – and is the sort to improve throughout the autumn. Useful colt should be followed.
7f handicap (Class 3) Race marred by non-runners
GRAPHITE STORM (Clive Cox) looked in good shape and travelled like a dream. Unfortunately he allowed the winner Squats too much rope before giving chase and was still three-parts of a length down at the line.He’s fairly treated, will be suited by a fast pace/big field and should win this autumn.
1m4f three-year-old maiden (Class 3) Race fill of late maturing types
ERDOGAN (John Gosden) is just about the best bred horse in training – by Frankel out of the top class Dar Re Mi – but has a massive frame to fill and has taken an age to come to hand. He ran green throughout but ran on pleasingly into third under a considerate ride. He’ll will win races provided he remains sound.