14:40 Ascot

Friday 8 September 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Charbonnel Et Walker British EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 33.29s

(7)

Airmax

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: P C O'Donnell⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Beckett

50/1

€50,000 purchase from the first crop of Maxios whose progeny are yet to set the pulse racing. Half-brother to a useful sprinter in France and holds an entry in next year's Epsom Derby. Jockey bookings suggest he arrives in need of the run.

Form:

(1)

Archie Mckellar³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: R M Beckett

7/1

Fared best of those ridden from off the pace at Salisbury on debut. Attracted some support that day and will come on for the run. Stable are 0-18 with youngsters at this track over the past five years.

Form: 3

(6)

Bodie And Doyle²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

50/1

Raven's Pass gelding, cost 50,000 gns as a yearling. Dam a full-sister to Listed two-year-old winner over this trip, Queen Of Poland. Showed some positive signs on debut and sure to improve. Probably up against it at this level though.

Form: 8

(5)

Herculean

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: H & R Charlton

11/10

Home-bred Frankel colt and full brother to the yard's useful filly Fair Eva. Rider 9-27 on the yard's juveniles and this one holds an entry in the Dewhurst. Potentially useful and interesting to see how the market views his chances.

Form:

(9)

Merlin Magic²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| BF

5/2

From the first crop of Camelot and related to a number of horses that did well for this yard. Has shaped well in two contests which have been working out and that experience could count for a lot.

Form: 32

(4)

Nelson River

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: C G Cox

33/1

Home-bred son of Mount Nelson out of a 1m1f winning dam who liked a bit of cut in the ground. Stable have done well with this age group in 2017.

Form:

(3)

Para Mio

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: S W Kelly| T: S Durack

40/1

95,000 gns son of Pour Moi and related to some useful types including Daban and Thikriyaat. Stable 2-46 with this age group in recent years but doubtful they have had one as expensive as this.

Form:

(2)

Wadilsafa

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows

9/2

Son of Frankel out of a well-related dam who was runner-up in the Park Hill. Half-brother to a couple of useful juveniles and holds entries in the Dewhurst, Royal Lodge and 2018 Derby. Yard are 6-24 in juvenile races this year.

Form:

Non-Runners

(8)

Main Street⁷⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: J & T Gosden J: L Dettori

Forecasts

Herculean (11/10), Merlin Magic (5/2), Wadilsafa (9/2), Main Street (5/1), Archie Mckellar (7/1), Nelson River (33/1), Para Mio (40/1), Airmax (50/1), Bodie And Doyle (50/1)

Merlin Magic sets a good standard on form having chased home the Solario Stakes fourth last time. Here he faces two potentially smart newcomers with HERCULEAN and Wadilsafa boasting attractive pedigrees. Both are entered for bigger prizes this autumn and the market will be informative. Wadilsafa hails from a yard whose horses improve for a run and as such HERCULEAN gets the vote.