16:45 York

Thursday 18 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Frank Whittle Partnership ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 11.86s

(9)

Air Force One

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: D O'Meara

9/1

Foaled February 1. 600,000 gns yearling, Starspangledbanner colt. Dam, 2-y-o 5f winner, sister to useful 2-y-o 6f winner De Boss Man and half-sister to smart German 6f/7f winner Donnerschlag. Check betting.

Form:

(10)

Cuban Thunder³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| BF

5/4

150,000 gns Profitable colt who shaped very well after initially lacking sharpness when runner-up at Newmarket (5f, soft) on debut last month, not unduly punished. High on the shortlist with improvement likely and this step up in trip sure to suit.

Form: 2

(4)

Impressive Act

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby

5/2

Foaled March 15. 650,000 gns yearling, Dubawi colt. Dam, 7f winner (including at 2 yrs), won Fred Darling Stakes and third in Prix Marcel Boussac, from family of Luso, Warrsan and Needle Gun. Makes plenty of paper appeal for bang in-form yard.

Form:

(5)

Master Franca

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer

15/2

Foaled February 13. €65,000 foal, £45,000 yearling, Kodiac colt. Dam unraced half-sister to useful 1¼m-13f winner Court Pastoral out of Fillies' Mile winner (stayed 1½m) Teggiano.

Form:

(2)

Socialise²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler

100/1

Advertise gelding who looked one for the longer term when sixth of 7 in maiden at Thirsk (5f, heavy) on debut 26 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 6

(7)

Ticktyboo

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler

28/1

Foaled February 14. 85,000 gns foal, 100,000 gns 2-y-o, Showcasing colt. Half-brother to winner abroad by Havana Grey. Dam, Italian winner up to 1m winner (2-y-o 5f-1m winner). This looks a tough starting point.

Form:

(1)

Varden

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan

9/1

Foaled April 16. €35,000 foal, 65,000 gns yearling, Bungle Inthejungle colt. Half-brother to 7f winner Rocket Yogi. Dam, 2-y-o 5f winner, half-sister to useful 2-y-o 5f/6f winner Living In The Past (by Bungle Inthejungle).

Form:

(8)

We Never Stop

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan

16/1

Foaled April 3. €16,500 foal, £70,000 yearling, Cotai Glory colt. Closely related to 2-y-o 7f winner Gozen, runner-up in Staffordstown Stud Stakes, and half-brother to winner up to 1m Odyssa. Dam Italian maiden half-sister to useful winner up to 9f Pleasant Day.

Form:

(3)

Manali

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Butler

80/1

Foaled March 25. €20,000 yearling, Dandy Man filly. Dam ran once at 2 yrs out of winning half-sister to Middle Park Stakes/Prix Morny winner Dutch Art. Best watched in this field.

Form:

(11)

Sue's Little Angel

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey

22/1

Foaled April 24. €115,000 yearling, Dark Angel filly. Sister to 3 winners, including 5f winners Linda Barrett and Cariad Angel. Dam, 2-y-o 5f winner, half-sister to smart 2-y-o 5f/5.5f winner Signora Cabello.

Form:

Non-Runners

(6)

Emperor Of Rome³⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 2

T: A P O'Brien J: R L Moore

Forecasts

Cuban Thunder (5/4), Impressive Act (5/2), Emperor Of Rome (9/2), Master Franca (15/2), Air Force One (9/1), Varden (9/1), We Never Stop (16/1), Sue's Little Angel (22/1), Ticktyboo (28/1), Manali (80/1), Socialise (100/1)

Some quite expensive purchases for one of the first 6f races for 2-y-os of the season, not least IMPRESSIVE ACT, who fetched 650,000 gns as a yearling and can make a winning start for the red-hot Appleby/Buick combination. Cuban Thunder shaped very well when runner-up on debut at Newmarket, so he's put forward as the main danger with this step up in trip sure to suit, ahead of Irish-raider Emperor of Rome and Master Franca.