First Folio fancied to make mark at higher grade in Listed race at Windsor
could be folly to dismiss First Folio in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Stakes at Windsor as James Ferguson's four-yearold runs in Listed company for the first time.
The Dark Angel gelding has proven to be an ultra-consistent performer in handicap company and at his best when the ground is fast so, with conditions in his favour, this seems a great opportunity to try and make his mark at a higher grade.
Twiceawinnerlastseason,he was a respectable fifth at Newmarket from an unfavourable draw on Guineas weekend and is sure to have tightened up significantly for that outing. He is reported to be on course for the Wokinghamatroyalascot,but it would be no surprise if sights were raised higher if successful tonight.
Enshrine was an eyecatching second behind 1000 Guineas sixth Ameynah at Newmarket on debut and the daughter of Ulysses, who is a half-sister to Group Two-winning Sacred, canbuildonthatopeningeffort now moving up to a mile in the At The Races App Form Study Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
A return to Leicester should help Astral Beau as the trackand-trip scorer looks to make a successful switch to the handicap ranks.
Pamsly'sthree-year-oldmade a mockery of odds of 50-1 when making a winning debut at the Oadby venue, but struggled on the undulations of Catterick when beaten two and a quarter lengths last time. She has been handed an opening mark of 76 anditwouldbenosurpriseifshe proved better than that figure back in the east midlands.
Footsy is an interesting newcomer in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.
William Haggas' three-yearold is closely related to Group Three winner Haggle and also a half-brother to eight-time scorit er Lucky Deal. At Redcar, John and Thady Gosden's Elegant Verse can build on a promising showing on debut to get off the mark in the racingtv.com Fillies' Novice Stakes. The regally-bred Galileo filly, who is out of a dual Guineas winner, was second behind a more experienced and game rival on debut and that race looks destined to throw up plenty of winners moving forward.
Tilly The Filly has the chance to go one better than her Nottingham second off just a 1lb higher mark in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap, while Bukela could provide Brian Ellison with back-to-back victories in the Watch Racing TV On Sky 426 Handicap following a respectable effort when upped to this trip at Wetherby last month.
Meanwhile, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing have issued a positive bulletin about their Cazoo Derby hope Lysander, who puts his Epsom aspirations to the test in Goodwood's Cocked Hat Stakes on Friday.
The 120,000 guineas yearling has entries for both Epsom and the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, but managing director Harry Herbert said: "Let's see what happens at Goodwood and at the moment, if he was to win and win well, the plan would be to go for the Derby. I think he's a really exciting colt, but it's just one step at a time."