Weatherbys EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 1m 13.83s

(1)

Ecclefechan²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Ryan

50/1

First foal of a 1m-winning dam. Finished ninth of 11 in novice stakes at Nottingham (80/1) 29 days ago, showing only greenness and always behind. Needs significant improvement to be competitive at this level.

Form: 9

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(5)

High Approval²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| BF

8/11

Big-money breeze-up purchase who showed ability on debut when third of 11 in a novice race at Nottingham (1/1) 29 days ago, showing promise without living up to reputation based on SP. Should improve on second career start with that form very well advertised since.

Form: 3

(3)

Kodi Island

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: C Appleby

9/2

Foaled March 27. €9,000 yearling, £500,000 2-y-o. Kodi Bear colt. Cost £500,000 at the sales in April, dam was a 2-year-old 7f winner from the family of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Arcangues. Newcomer of extreme interest.

Form:

(6)

Peel Park²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R Varian

5/2

Too green to figure when fourth of 9 on debut in a novice over C&D (7/1). Took a small step forward when third of 9 in a novice at Newbury over 6.5f (10/3) 21 days ago, not knocked about. Remains with potential and likely to improve further at some point.

Form: 43

(2)

Reception²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes

22/1

Finished fifth of 13 in a novice at Windsor (12/1) on debut, then fourth of 13 in a seller at Chester (2/1) 20 days ago when not seen to best effect over 7f. Could improve returning to 6f based on previous run.

Form: 54

(4)

Wise Crack

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan

100/1

Foaled March 1. €82,000 foal, 30,000 gns yearling. Blue Point gelding. Half-brother to 2-y-o 7f winner Veiled Illusion. Dam was a juvenile 6f winner who stayed 1¼m.

Form:

Forecasts

High Approval (8/11), Peel Park (5/2), Kodi Island (9/2), Reception (22/1), Ecclefechan (50/1), Wise Crack (100/1)

Expensive breeze-up purchase HIGH APPROVAL failed to match confidence on debut at Nottingham but that turned out to be a very warm race and he's expected to step forward from that. Kodi Island makes plenty of appeal as a £500,000 debutant for leading connections and is the obvious alternative.