18:30 Epsom Downs

Thursday 20 July 2023

All17:5518:3019:0019:3520:0520:40

Betfred 'Passionate About Sport' British EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 18:32 | Winning time: 1m 23.64s

(6)

Aragon Castle^t1²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding

11/2

Sales price increased to 120,000 gns as a yearling but made a low-key start when seventh of 9 in maiden at Salisbury (7f, good to firm) 22 days ago. Needs to step forward from that first experience with tongue strap now applied.

Form: 7

(7)

Drink Dry²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti

14/1

Raced too freely on his first outing when fourth of 7 in maiden at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last month, not knocked about. Others preferred.

Form: 4

(5)

Hawa Jumeirah

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: I Mohammed

11/1

Foaled March 15. Universal colt. Dam 2-y-o 5f/5.4f winner. Has a fair standard to aim at on debut for yard looking for their first 2-y-o winner of the season.

Form:

(8)

Inner City³⁴

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

4/5

Bred to be smart and shaped promisingly when fourth in minor event at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) on debut in June. Still green when unable to build on that effort at Sandown 15 days later, but he remains with potential and can get off the mark this time around.

Form: 43

(2)

Mighty Pearl²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: A West

200/1

Offered little in two starts last month, last of 11 in minor event at Lingfield (6f, AW) on the second occasion. Looks to be up against it once more.

Form: 80

(3)

Mission To Moon¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: R Varian

3/1

Half-brother to several winners but held back by inexperience on debut. Improved from that run when second at Kempton (7f) a fortnight ago, despite still looking far from the finished article, so he's respected with further progress to come.

Form: 42

(1)

Rey De La Batalla⁴⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: S Dow

18/1

Sent off at 100/1 but showed promise first time up when third in minor event at Lingfield (6f, AW) in June, taking third well inside the final 1f. Open to improvement with the step up in trip to suit.

Form: 3

(4)

Rosenzoo³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Johnston

33/1

Quite stoutly bred and made little impact on debut when fifth of 6 in maiden at Ayr (6f, firm) last month. Much more required but the extra furlong should help.

Form: 5

Forecasts

Inner City (4/5), Mission To Moon (3/1), Aragon Castle (11/2), Hawa Jumeirah (11/1), Drink Dry (14/1), Rey De La Batalla (18/1), Rosenzoo (33/1), Mighty Pearl (200/1)

Having shown plenty of ability on debut, INNER CITY was still green when only third at Sandown next time but the son of Dubawi remains capable of better and can open his account at the third attempt. Mission To Moon improved from his first start when runner-up at Kempton 2 weeks ago and is feared most, ahead of Rey de La Batalla.