Classic possibles go to post for Denford Stakes

A golden spell in the early 90s saw this Listed prize fall to Rodrigo De Triano, Tenby, Colonel Collins and Lammtarra while the likes of Haafhd, Baahr, Just The Judge and Belardo are more recent additions to the roll of honour.

The seven furlong contest is restricted to progeny of stallions that won over (about) 10 furlongs or beyond so there won't be too many precocious youngsters lining up, but there are some exciting prospects in the field and we highlight the pick of them.

Verandah - 10/3 with Sky Bet.

Not yet quoted for any Classics and this would represent a relatively quick return to the track but this scopey filly was an eyecatching winner of a maiden at Kempton last week and can only improve for the experience. From a top Cheveley Park family (Spacious, Dimension etc) who are at their best at about a mile, keep an eye out for those Guineas quotes.

Dee Ex Bee - 7/2

From the first crop of the brilliant Farrh and made a fair impression himself on debut when comfortably accounting for his rivals at Goodwood and the form was boosted at Salisbury on Wednesday. Likely to encounter very different conditions but no reason to believe he won't be as effective. Quoted at 25/1 for both the Guineas and the Derby and the former looks more realistic.

Red Mist - 10/1

Jumps ahead of some of his shorter priced rivals as his form ties in with Dee Ex Bee through the runner-up. This son of Frankel only beat Bathseba Bay by a short-head at Sandown but that maiden has been won by some decent sorts in Best Of Days and Cymric in recent years and he could be another.

Learn By Heart - 7/1

By Frankel out of Memory, who had her moments on the racecourse, so William Haggas and his team might have their work cut out focusing this colt's mind on the job in hand. Coltish before his debut and still green next time, it didn't stop him hacking up at Doncaster where he displayed a good turn of foot. Not quoted for the Guineas yet but expect the odds to be dished out left, right and centre given his connections and breeding if he follows up here.

Tigre Du Terre - 11/2

Blotted his copybook after a wide-margin maiden success at Ascot when a beaten favourite at the same venue in Listed company last time and needs to be forgiven that run. Should develop into a useful middle-distance prospect for next season with plenty of stamina on the distaff side but hard to see him following in the steps of Lammtarra.

Ripley (25/1) and Master Of Wine (33/1)

Easy to see why they are where they are in the market but both made promising debuts. The former can be expected to improve from her outing at Goodwood where she ran Roulette close with the winner having stepped up from her own encouraging debut in a strong Newmarket maiden won by Poetic Charm. She holds a Fillies' Mile entry and Charlie Hills won this with Just The Judge in 2012, while father Barry is the leading trainer with four wins. Master Of Wine looked a surefire winner after a taking run at Sandown but failed to fire at the same track next time on quicker ground; expect him to prove that form to be all wrong in time as he has the pedigree to make up into a smart middle distance performer next season.

Verdict

This hasn't been a bad race for high-class fillies over the years and Verandah looked every inch of that description when winning on the Polytrack. The change of surface shouldn't be an issue but this represents a quick turnaround for a filly who would otherwise have got the nod.

It's dangerous to get bogged down in potential jockey bookings without knowing the ins and outs but Silvestre de Sousa rode both Dee Ex Bee and Red Mist on debut and is pencilled in for the latter with Jim Crowley set to take the ride on Mark Johnston's runner.

In light of that, perhaps Simon Crisford's colt, who has yet to be quoted for the Classics but who does hold all the requisite big-race entries, could represent a more interesting bet at double-figure odds with the line-up far from certain.