Hermitage Bay and Cape Banjo attempt to recoup last time out losses by going one better, and making it third time lucky, in the eight-runner three-year-old Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of Kempton polytrack this afternoon; preference is for the former.
On the time-handicap John Gosden's charge is best-in, judged on his neck second to Sir Mark Prescott-trained Flymetothestars over a mile of Southwell fibresand nigh on eight weeks ago, a shock to odds-on punters!
Partnered by Rav Havlin this War Front colt certainly sorted out the wheat from the chaff, due to positive, forceful, tactics which worked, but strongly-fancied second-favourite, Flymetothestars, couldn't be shaken off.
They drew twelve lengths clear, in the last strides Hermitage Bay cracked. Will this drop in trip suit him better?
It's not necessarily an issue because Hermitage Bay, also odds-on for his debut last season, is highly-regarded and obviously reckoned a middle-distance prospect by the champion trainer and should prove worth following.
Cape Banjo is progressive and looks the part, he has a few pounds to find but trainer Ralph Beckett is a dab hand on the all-weather scene and the Cape Blanco gelding can't be dismissed. Neither can one or two others, this is not a two-horse race, by any means.
As often mentioned we don't play singles unless 2/1 or better, Hermitage Bay should trade at such odds but they are not guaranteed. Be ready!