Jockey T. King to rule in the Elk?

PP1 –     – Downpayment Blues – Sdmf8 – R. Le Van

Coming out of the inside box, favourite and making his racecourse debut, is this light grey son of El Prado. Trainer Sdmf8 has a number of well bred juveniles in his stable but, after 12 races (ITM on 6 occasions), they have yet to register a win between them. It`s a big task going straight into a Stakes race so, even though the oddsmakers are impressed with his breeding and homework, evens looks much too short a price and better value may be found elsewhere.

PP2 – 12 – Forklifts(Ire) – Home – S. Wasko – 6/1

Singspiel has made a fairly slow start with this year`s crop but this colt, out of a mare by Rahy, has been one of his better runners so far. After justifying favouritism to land a weak looking 6f turf maiden on his first attempt he was switched to dirt where he ran well for 4th in a 7 runner Allowance race. Back on the grass here, his stalking style should suit and he has every chance.

PP3 – 1    – Z.Z.Z.Z.Z.Z.Z.Z – Sharp2912 – N. Linville – 22/1

Dubiously named bargain bred who repaid all of what he cost his owner when wiring the field in a 6f turf maiden where she was the rank outsider of the 11 runners. Sharp2912 is confident his charge can improve again from his debut and, after already showing he can defy long odds, it would be dangerous to rule him out.

PP4 – 14 – Strukolo – Genkon – M. Johnson – 7/2

The second grey in the field, again by El Prado, is this colt who the first offspring of an undistinguished racemare by Gulch. After narrowly taking a maiden on his debut (5.5f turf) he ran really well for a 4th place, this time on dirt and against a bunch of previous winners, in a quick 6f Allowance. Trainer Genkon has surprisingly returned his horse to turf but, even though joint second favourite and with a clear chance, it`s questionable if he`s quite as effective on this surface.

PP5 –    1 – Sota De Bahri – Hollandia4 – V. Townsend – 7/1

This colt, by Bahri, clearly looks the best of turf winning dam Sota De Bastos` progeny to date. He comfortably won on his debut by 2 lengths over 5.5f on turf although that race has yet to throw out any winners. The style of that victory even against a bunch of average looking colts was quite impressive and, given the expected improvement from his debut, he`s a leading player for this.

PP6 –    61 – Prado`s J And J – Actionjack – T. King – 7/2

This smartly bred colt is the third grey by El Prado in the line up. An uninspiring effort when favourite on rain softened dirt was followed by a marked improvement when switched to turf last time out where he comfortably landed a 5f maiden. This extra furlong should not be a problem and he`s another who has solid claims.

PP7 –       –  Baba Louie – Topgun – C. Brubaker – 18/1

Sire Habayeb has already got a classy looking 2 year old (Hard Worker) and trainer Topgun will be hoping his representative can emulate some of HW`s early season form. He`s another making his racecourse debut and is probably best watched for now.

Summary

As was mentioned, the unraced favourite Downpayment Blues is a risky betting proposition and his lack of experience is a major worry. At a big price Z.Z.Z.Z.Z.Z.Z.Z is interesting as there was alot to like about his maiden win, however he is unlikely to get his own way out in front and looks vulnerable in a race as good as this. Strukolo boasts the best form of these but that was on dirt and he could`nt be tipped as confidently as if this race was on that surface. There`s not much separating Sota De Bahri, stylish in the way he disposed of his rivals in his maiden win, and Prado`s J And J. The latter is selected in the hope he can build on his victory last time.

1 – Prado`s J And J

2 – Sota De Bahri

3 – Downpayment Blues