Discreet whisper at Newmarket
Discreet Brief can make her experience count by taking the Cliff Brants‘ Champagne Retirement EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.
An IR£120,000 yearling, John Dunlop‘s charge looked as green as the Wiltshire turf when making her debut at Salisbury last month in the race won by Wondrous Story.
However, after racing in last place for most of the near-seven furlongs she grasped what was required of her and fairly flew up the final furlong and a half to get within around a length of the winner.
Given her 33-1 tag she clearly was not expected to show much but what she did produce suggests it will not be long before she hits the winning trail and with plenty in the field without that sort of experience tomorrow could be the day.
Another who showed enough on his debut to suggest he has a victory in him is Shanty Star.
On ground which may not have suited him he was seen staying on well in the Ayr race won by the much more experienced Pure Speculation last month.
The manner in which he stayed on in the final furlong of seven suggests the mile of the Mystery Trip Hole In One Median Auction Maiden Stakes could be up his street and he can add to trainer Mark Johnston‘s impressive tally for the year.
The day‘s richest race, Dapper Dan‘s Birthday EBF Classified Stakes, looks a real puzzle but it my be worth taking a risk with the Henry Cecil-trained Western Verse.
The Gone West colt has always been highly regarded at Warren Place but looked to have lost his way after a solid reappearance on his home track.
However, it may be that his lay off since finishing down the field to Millennium Dragon at the Sagitta Guineas Festival could have done him good and he is the tentative choice for the £18,000-added (€28,500) seven furlongs event.
Dialling Tone showed enough on her Goodwood debut behind Princess Sabbah to suggest she could win a race.
Her opportunity may come in the Glow-Worm High Efficiency Combi Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
At Beverley, Henry Hall could prove that some recent good performances were not just a flash in the pan and get his nose in front in the Violet And Eddie Smith Memorial Conditions Stakes.
And Johnston can achieve an across-the-card double by taking the opening Jaguar Centre Selling Stakes courtesy of Thunder Canyon.
