The Spoon Linda Challenge

PP1 – Dagobah – peepsclaim – J Duncan – 3/5fav

Galileo x Nureyev x Blushing Groom

Turf influences throughout the pedigree of this smartly bred runner from the GR Simsters Cobra Kai stables. Sire Galileo has only 1 Stakes winner so far this year but his progeny tend to imporove with age and more distance. Peepsclaim`s filly will be making her debut today and the oddsmaker`s have her as the favourite but all the top jockeys have deserted her and a watching brief is advised.

PP2 – Galema Hollandia – yoss – M Grunhard – 9/2

Titus Livius x Alice Springs (Forest Wildcat x Clever Trick)

Out of an average G ranked racemare, this chestnut filly is easily the best of French Sire Titus Livius` 5 offspring so far this season. She got off the mark at the third time of asking LTO when showing plenty of early speed to wire her field in a 6 furlong maiden at Ostend with a 71SP. Travelling across the Atlantic for this race, she sets a fairly good standard, should ensure a good gallop and has the able assistance of M. Grunhard in the saddle.

PP3 – Bootery – fastnfirm – L Ingersoll – 36/1

Storm Boot x Contagious Pledge (Smart Alec x Dallasite)

Daughter of the D ranked veteren racemare Contagious Pledge who was a Stakes winner and was ITM on numerous occasions within that sphere. Fastnfirm`s filly is another making her debut today and, given the fact that her father Storm Boot is a dirt influence and her dam was a sprinter on that surface, it is more than likely she`ll struggle with these underfoot conditions so 36/1 is probably a fair reflecion of her chances.

PP4 – Auror Derby – auror – V Pegram – 6/5

Gone West x Auror (Sadler`s Wells x Blushing Groom)

By one of the leading sires, Gone West who is having another stellar season, this filly is out of the D ranked mare Auror who was placed in a 12 furlong turf G2 but, although she was ITM multiple times, she never won a Stakes. Fernando`s representative won on her debut back in June and then was`nt beaten far into 6th in the G3 Fast Lane Stakes over 6.5 furlongs on the turf. Back to winning ways in a 5.5 furlong Allowance, she then led until the final furlong when second in a small field 6 furlong Stakes 3 weeks back posting a lifetime best 82SP. With the best form out of these four runners it`s surprising not to see her as favourite and, provided she can come back sufficiently fit off a 3 week break, she is the one they all have to beat.

Summary

Dagobah clearly looks the pick of the newcomers as Bootery will probably be seen to better effect on the dirt but, as always is the case with these 2yo races, it`s a big risk to side with a filly making her debut.

That leaves a speed dual between Galema Hollandia and Auror Derby. The former should handle the good ground but has plenty to find on speed figures with the second favourite so the preference is for Auror Derby, quite an obvious choice, who should be even better over more distance and is very hard to oppose.

1 – Auror Derby
2 – Galema Hollandia