A-Z OF PADDOCK POSITIVES
ANIMATE (Simon & Ed Crisford) ARREST (John Gosden) BATEMANS BAY (Ralph Beckett) CALONNE (Robyn Brisland)
CELL SA BEELA (Roger Varian) COUNTRY PYLE (William Muir) DEFERRED (Roger Varian) DESFONDADO (Jim Boyle) GRENHAM BAY (Andrew Balding) HONKY TONK MAN (Harry & Roger Charlton)
HUDDLETON MAC (Hughie Morrison)
MUDSKIPPER (David Menuisier) MURAU (James Fanshawe)
NEW DAYRELL (William Muir & Christy Grassick)
NOSTRUM (Sir Michael Stoute) PONS AELIUS (Charlie & Mark Johnston)
PROP FORWARD (Clive Cox) ROYAL SCANDAL (James Fanshawe)
STERLING KNIGHT (Ed Dunlop) WESTERN WRITER (Charlie Appleby)
shaped with plenty of promise to finish fifth. Improvement is guaranteed and he will win races.
7f two-year-old novice (Class 4) RACE THAT WILL PRODUCE WINNERS
ANIMATE (Simon & Ed Crisford) shaped well on his debut at Newmarket but looked uneasy on the bend here and was a shade disappointing. This big boy looks the part and deserves another chance on a galloping track.
DESFONDADO (Jim Boyle) was a relatively expensive purchase for this yard (90,000gns) and shaped with plenty of promise under an unusually quiet Adam Kirby. He’s an athletic colt who should pick up an ordinary race this autumn.
1m4f fillies’ novice (Class 3) IMPRESSIVE WINNER
ROYAL SCANDAL (James Fanshawe) was a size bigger than her rivals and attracted heavy support (2s to 6-5). She dwarfed her opposition in the race too, running out a ready winner after travelling best throughout. A mark of 89 underestimates her ability – this filly holds a Group 1 entry – and she must be followed.
2m handicap (Class 4)
SMART FORM
MURAU (James Fanshawe) looked in tremendous shape and continued his progress with another narrow success. There is a kink in this fella, but the form has already been franked – third home won a decent handicap at Lingfield and he remains a step ahead of the handicapper.
SANDOWN August 4 (goodfirm)
1m two-year-old maiden (Class 4) CLASSY CONTEST
ARREST (John Gosden) is an edgy individual – Frankie Dettori mounted him outside the paddock – who looked sharper than on his promising debut a fortnight earlier. There’s nothing wrong with the colt’s attitude though, and he did well to chin odds-on shot Desert Order. Arrest has Group race entries and will go places if John Gosden can keep a lid on his temperament.
NEW DAYRELL (William Muir & Christy Grassick) looked fit and ran a nailer from the front to finish a close third. He’s got a cracking attitude and will take plenty of catching in a similar race.
MUDSKIPPER (David Menuisier) was carrying condition and still looks immature. Bearing that in mind, he shaped encouragingly to finish in middivision. He’ll need time, but this colt could be above average.
KEMPTON August 10 (standard to slow)
7f two-year-old fillies (Class 5)
FAIR RACE
CELL SA BEELA (Roger Varian) is a strong filly from the family of top-class milers Alpha Centauri and Alpine Star. She was well bet (3s to 9-4) despite looking in need of the outing and ran a tidy race to finish third behind a couple of decent types. There is more to come, and she will be difficult to beat in ordinary company next time.
7f handicap (Class 4)
COMPETITIVE EVENT
HUDDLETON MAC (Hughie Morrison)
looked in tremendous condition on this return from a 280-day break and was heavily backed (7s to 4-1).
His fan club lost all hope when the gelding’s saddle slipped after a furlong, but he’s well treated and will win races.
“animate shaped well on debut this bad boy looks the part and deserves another chance on a galloping track
LINGFIELD August 11 (Standard)
7f three-year-old handicap (Class 3) RACE RUN AT A DECENT CLIP HONKY TONK MAN (Harry & Roger Charlton) looked ready to rumble and was well supported on this return to the AW. He would have won granted a more aggressive ride from his claiming jockey and is one to follow on artificial surfaces.
1m7f169y handicap (Class 3)
SMART FORM
COUNTRY PYLE (William Muir) is bred to improve – half-sister to Pyledriver – and is starting to fill her frame. She produced a personal best to finish second and might have pinched this granted a more patient ride from Frankie Dettori. She tries hard and is more than capable of pocketing a decent prize this autumn.