The sun was out for a glorious opening day of the meeting, and races down the straight appeared to have no concerns about draw bias. Thursday's card has a few higher profile races but this 3yo sprint is worth watching closely, tomorrow and for future form.
British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes
£50k, Listed & Class 1, 3yo, 5f
York 1605
Soldier's Call - flying machine, winning four of six starts in Britain last season, running third in the Prix L'Abbaye, beaten a neck at WFA then finished sixth as joint favourite in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. Has plenty on these on ratings, but life's rarely that simple with unexposed 3yos early in the season.
Broken Spear - more exposed than most of these and well beaten by Garrus first up. Missed Chester last week, probably due to the rain (or a poor draw). Pass.
Charming Kid - won at this meeting last season but has been a little erratic ever since. Well beaten on AW Championships Day, appears to be a few lengths off these.
Garrus - 50% winning strike rate in weaker class. Won in fast time at Nottingham recently but all the sprints were significantly faster than the RPR standard on dry ground. Trainer had a winner here on Wednesday, but will still need another step forward to measure up here.
No Nonsense - had several decent types behind him at Ascot a fortnight ago, including Pocket Dynamo who was runner-up to Garrus at his previous start. Didn't get near Calyx that day but few 3yos will. Dropping back in trip but no reason to think it will harm him.
Semoum - changed trainer and had a wind op before resuming with a handy win at Hamilton ten days ago. Probably more to come from him, don't dismiss lightly.
Well Done Fox - poor seasonal reappearance at Ascot recently, one of the few King Power runners not to come out firing in 2019. Fast colt, with seconds to Soldier's Call and Sergei Prokofiev amongst his best results as a juvenile. Also won a Listed race here in August. Chance on his best manners.
Deia Glory - close second to Well Done Fox here last year in the aforementioned Listed race (50/1), but in receipt of 8lb. That's better than anything else she has done, can't see her troubling these, even in a new stable.
Shades of Blue - market expected better when resuming with a third at Doncaster recently (1/2 fav). Has intersecting formlines with a few of these and ran a close third in the Queen Mary last year (5/1 2f). Handy jockey change, Oisin Murphy taking over from Adam Kirby, and stable has always rated this one highly.
SUMMARY
Soldier's Call is super quick and Archie Watson is on fire so far this season. Can't see a 5lb penalty being too much of a burden. Main dangers No Nonsense and Shades of Blue.
British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes
£50k, Listed & Class 1, 3yo, 5f
York 1605
Soldier's Call - flying machine, winning four of six starts in Britain last season, running third in the Prix L'Abbaye, beaten a neck at WFA then finished sixth as joint favourite in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. Has plenty on these on ratings, but life's rarely that simple with unexposed 3yos early in the season.
Broken Spear - more exposed than most of these and well beaten by Garrus first up. Missed Chester last week, probably due to the rain (or a poor draw). Pass.
Charming Kid - won at this meeting last season but has been a little erratic ever since. Well beaten on AW Championships Day, appears to be a few lengths off these.
Garrus - 50% winning strike rate in weaker class. Won in fast time at Nottingham recently but all the sprints were significantly faster than the RPR standard on dry ground. Trainer had a winner here on Wednesday, but will still need another step forward to measure up here.
No Nonsense - had several decent types behind him at Ascot a fortnight ago, including Pocket Dynamo who was runner-up to Garrus at his previous start. Didn't get near Calyx that day but few 3yos will. Dropping back in trip but no reason to think it will harm him.
Semoum - changed trainer and had a wind op before resuming with a handy win at Hamilton ten days ago. Probably more to come from him, don't dismiss lightly.
Well Done Fox - poor seasonal reappearance at Ascot recently, one of the few King Power runners not to come out firing in 2019. Fast colt, with seconds to Soldier's Call and Sergei Prokofiev amongst his best results as a juvenile. Also won a Listed race here in August. Chance on his best manners.
Deia Glory - close second to Well Done Fox here last year in the aforementioned Listed race (50/1), but in receipt of 8lb. That's better than anything else she has done, can't see her troubling these, even in a new stable.
Shades of Blue - market expected better when resuming with a third at Doncaster recently (1/2 fav). Has intersecting formlines with a few of these and ran a close third in the Queen Mary last year (5/1 2f). Handy jockey change, Oisin Murphy taking over from Adam Kirby, and stable has always rated this one highly.
SUMMARY
Soldier's Call is super quick and Archie Watson is on fire so far this season. Can't see a 5lb penalty being too much of a burden. Main dangers No Nonsense and Shades of Blue.
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