16:00 Sandown

Saturday 17 June 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

Darley British EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 2m 9.68s

(5)

A Dublin Lad²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden

2/1

Ulysses colt who ran a race full of promise when third in 6-runner maiden at Newmarket (1m) on debut in October. Up in trip and sure to improve.

Form: 3-

(1)

Cracksking⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe

9/2

Appealed on pedigree and duly posted promising third of 9 in maiden at Kempton (8f) on debut 73 days ago, nearest finish. Open to improvement.

Form: 3

(6)

Kathab²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| BF

11/2

Kingman gelding who ran to a similar level as on debut when third in 6-runner novice at York (7.9f, good to firm) 29 days ago, still green and keeping on. That form is proving strong and he remains capable of better with the longer trip likely to be within range.

Form: 23

(4)

Middle Earth

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden

9/1

Roaring Lion colt. Half-brother to 3 winners, including smart winner up to 8.3f Buckaroo and useful 1½m winner Thousand Oaks. Dam 11.7f/1½m winner who stayed 1¾m. Makes plenty of appeal on paper.

Form:

(3)

The Goat²⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding

15/2

Improved from debut when second of 7 in 1m maiden (11/1) at Newcastle, needing stiffer test. Off 8 months but likely to improve again now upped in trip.

Form: 32-

(7)

Walk The Moon^h1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R Coakley| T: E Walker

100/1

Has failed to beat a rival in 2 novice events at Salisbury 8 months apart. Hooded for 1st time.

Form: 0-0

(2)

Westerton³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: A King| OR: 83| BF

10/3

Chased home a potentially smart one on return/handicap debut at Doncaster (10.2f) and backed that up when filling same spot at Ascot (10f) last month, nearest finish. Leading form claims but encounters much firmer ground here.

Form: 452-22

Forecasts

A Dublin Lad (2/1), Westerton (10/3), Cracksking (9/2), Kathab (11/2), The Goat (15/2), Middle Earth (9/1), Walk The Moon (100/1)

A valuable maiden with the vote going to KATHAB, whose York form is proving strong and he should be suited by the longer trip given how he shapes. A Dublin Lad shaped with plenty of promise on his Newmarket debut back in October and is open to a good deal of improvement now stepping up in trip, while Middle Earth is a noteworthy newcomer from the same stable.