Azure Maiden Auction Stakes

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 1m 41.32s

(3)

Copperlight⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam

28/1

€16,000 yearling, £5,000 juvenile; 40-1 on debut at Carlisle (1m, good to soft) recently when a well beaten ninth of 14 to the front-running Strawman.

Form: 9

(5)

First Impression²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Robinson| T: J & S Quinn

6/1

€42,000 foal, £21,000 yearling; kept on at the one-pace when fifth of eight (today's rival Reggino fourth) to Magna Moralia on debut at Beverley (7½f, good to firm) four weeks ago.

Form: 5

(2)

Island Storm³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: H Main

3/1

Anjaal colt (15,000gns vendor juvenile); didn't appear to be the finished article, but took a step forward from his Windsor debut when placed on the AW at Kempton (1m) last month; his Oxon-based trainer has a 25% strike-rate (6-24) at Newcastle.

Form: 73

(1)

Reggino²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

9/2

£18,000 yearling; kept on from the rear when fourth of eight (a short-head in front of today's rival First Impression) to Magna Moralia on debut at Beverley (7½f, good to firm) four weeks ago.

Form: 4

(6)

Take That²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey

25/1

Iffraaj colt who fetched 50,000gns as a foal (20,000gns yearling); always in rear on debut at Beverley (7½f, good to firm) four weeks ago; has ground to make up on today's rivals Reggino (fourth) and First Impression (fifth).

Form: 7

(4)

Urban Hero²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: A Watson

5/4

£13,000 first foal from a moderate dam; unable to lay a hand on the principals, yet finished off noticeably well when third to Overpriced Mixer (form relatively solid) on debut at Thirsk (1m, good) three weeks ago; sets the standard.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Urban Hero (5/4), Island Storm (3/1), Reggino (9/2), First Impression (6/1), Take That (25/1), Copperlight (28/1)

Three of these juveniles clashed on debut at Beverley, and it remains to be seen which of that trio (Reggino, First Impression or Take That) has taken the most from that initial experience. Archie Watson's Urban Hero sets the form standard on the basis of a pleasing run at Thirsk (form has a solid feel) and is massively respected now switched to Tapeta. However, a preference is for the Heather Main-trained ISLAND STORM who ran well when making the frame at Kempton (1m) latest, without necessarily appearing to be the finished article. His Oxon-based trainer has a notable 25% strike-rate (6-24; +£40.33) at Gosforth Park.