Local trainer Kevin Ryan saddles a 'Hot' prospect for the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes over six furlongs at York today, look no further for the winner! Royal Ascot winner Hototo comes out best on official ratings, and my time-handicap, which specialises with two-year-olds and is particularly effective at a time of year when form is established and can be relied upon. The next few weeks are all about juveniles with a clutch of 'classics' to anticipate. Hototo has been admirably consistent, well placed by Ryan, who journeyed this Sleeping Indian 'way down South' to Goodwood last month for the group three 'Molecomb' and it proved a success; third to Bungleinthejungle merited 'job done' and his owners have a valuable commodity.
There has to be a stamina doubt, it's the first time Hototo has raced beyond the minimum trip but this represents a drop in class and the lure of a £142000 first prize is justifiable temptation, for sure. Not a 'penalty kick' nor anything like a 'cert' but I'll always chance a bet on a top-rated youngster which races against inferior opposition down a wonderful straight, galloping track. Drawn well too. Over the same course and distance unbeaten Newfangled is one of eleven 'decs' for the group two Lowther Stakes, it's a tough task for John Gosden's charge, currently favourite for the 1000 Guineas next May. Following a debut stroll at Newmarket in June this superbly-bred New Approach filly, owned by the delectable Princess Haya, beat a strong field undr William Buick in the group three 'Albany' at Royal Ascot, improving her TH mark considerably without stress, but she might need to improve!
William Haggas-trained Rosdhu has also won both starts and clocked an impressive time-figure over five at Newbury six days ago, improving considerably; will this be too soon? Probably and the fact extra distance is involved means I'll side with Newfangled; she definitely has scope for considerable improvement and is massively-fancied. Rest of this six-race programme is consigned to my 'too difficult' tray but nine juveniles contest the Maiden Stakes over five furlongs at Bath where Dawn Catcher merits a decent each-way bet to make it third time lucky; leading apprentice Raul Da Silva claims 3lbs. Not a track for a faint-hearted jockey, Brazilian-born Da Silva rides like he'd be at home round the 'wall of death' and I'm on the 'Catcher!' A solid-looking patent.
SELECTIONS
R2 (1) Hototo
R5 (5) Newfangled
R7 (7) Dawn Catcher (e.w).