Camelot half-brother to a 1¼m winner in Italy out of an unraced half-sister to smart 1½m-2m winner Rajik out of a useful 1½m winner. Cheekpieces sound a note of caution on debut, and this colt may need more time given his stout pedigree.
By Dark Angel out of a useful 6f winner, and €220,000 price tag as a foal raises eyebrows. That price dropped to 72,000 gns last year, but that doesn't mean he can be ignored.
Made an inauspicious start when last of 4 to Master of The Seas at Newmarket (7f), but he's from the family of smart course specialist Frankuus, so dangerous to dismiss him prematurely.
First foal of Ribblesdale Stakes third Pamona, and an early foal, so plenty to like on paper. Yard gets share of debut winners, some at big prices,so market not necessarily the best guide.
€90,000 yearling out of a fairly useful 7f-1m1½f winner. Trainer/jockey combination are worth following here, allthough newcomers less likely to be wound up than was once the case.
Better effort to date when ¾L second of 4 to Master of The Seas in a 7f minor event at Newmarket last time. Sets the standard, but it's not an exacting one, so he will probably have to improve again.
Non-Runners
5
(8)
Meritorious
Weight: 9-5| Age: 2
T: J & T Gosden J: R Havlin
NR
Forecasts
William Bligh (15/8), Rival (11/4), Meritorious (11/4), Scots Gold (16/5), Forest Falcon (15/2), Camelot Star (14/1), Hedwig (16/1), Lightning War (33/1)
Not a race to be dogmatic about without market clues. William Bligh sets the standard, and is sure to go well, but there are several interesting newcomers to take him on with, and RIVAL hails from a yard whose debutants do pay to follow. Forest Falcon is also likely to be well forward for his introduction, and makes the shortlist as a result.