Thahab would be a major disappointment for champion trainer Richard Hannon if this twice-raced Duwabi colt fails to make it third time lucky in the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack today; several stable-companions have been beaten recently and punters wont be rushing in, that's for sure.
On my time-handicap Thahab is a "shoo-in" and it wont be long before the Marlborough "winning machine" whirs into action but don't take very short prices.
This desperately cold spell is playing havoc with thoroughbreds, when it comes to seeing them thrive wait for definitive, tell-tale signs that leave you in no doubt of well-being; for instance a clutch of winners, which has been the case for Malton trainer, Richard Fahey, since the turf flat got under way some ten days ago.
In this game you can't force the issue and though Hannon will be champing at the bit his namesake father will be on hand to advise about the virtue(s) of patience.
If there is a danger we can't find one but Mark Johnston does introduce a superbly-bred Elusive Quality colt which is owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum; now he can afford to be patient with, apparently, 400 horses!
Crazy, eh, but Hamdan has been absolutely marvelous for English racing, along with his brother, Sheikh Mohammed; wonder what would have happened without their involvement.
Don't oppose Thahab or indeed Godolphin-owned Emirates Skywards in the Maiden Stakes over a mile and three-quarters.
Emirates Skywards should also prove in a totally different league and continue a fine run of irrepressible contract trainer, Charlie Appleby, who took over the license when Al Zarooni was banned from training. Hasn't he missed out?
Appleby also journeys twice-raced Legends Gate to Lingfield for Maiden Stakes over ten furlongs of "poly" which is riding superbly, according to jockeys.
Praise indeed when you consider the hammer that "Lingers" has been subjected to for a very long time.
Significantly Legends Gate is the mount of William Buick, who gets to choose horses trained for "the boys in blue" so to speak. Don't oppose.
Selections
10.20 Thahab
10.40 Legends Gate
?
11.20 Emirates Skywards