Fadhaa is a confident nap selection for the Maiden Stakes over nine furlongs of Wolverhampton polytrack today. Defeat would be extremely disappointing for veteran trainer Barry Hills, who reckons this Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned Bahri colt has scope for considerable improvement. That Doncaster debut, 172 days ago, when Fadhaa was a promising fifth (of eighteen) to Bridgefield, despite missing the break, is way superior to anything achieved by seven rivals and hopefully, Richard Hills will take the bull by the horn and set a strong pace, thus weeding out the wheat from the chaff. Front-running is the key to winning maiden races. What's the point of hanging about among a bunch of moderates?
Dougie Boy catches the eye in the Maiden Stakes over five furlongs of Southwell fibresand. Bill Turner's charge certainly caught mine, when making a promising debut at Leicester twelve days ago. Third to Jack Who's He reads well too because runner-up, Dawn Lightning, duly confirmed value of that form when winning comfortably at Lingfield last week; presumably Dougie Boy will improve and go close under talented apprentice Kieren Fox who rode the Trade Fair colt sensibly, with due compassion.
Obviously Alan McCabe has a line to the form (trains Dawn Lightning!) and saddles once-raced Mousie. While it never pays to underestimate David Barron on this 'deep stuff,' my time-handicap indicates a sound each-way bet which can be played into Fadhaa. Six have been declared for the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs but it will be a procession if Lightning Cloud is able cope with this unique surface. Kevin Ryan wouldn't be chancing Lightning Cloud for the sake of it, he's a fine judge and certainly wont be unaware of an excellent opportunity. Get on!
SELECTIONS
RACE 4 (#1) LIGHTNING CLOUD
RACE 14 (#1) FADHAA (nap)
RACE 18 (#5) DESERT LOCATION