| Course: NEWBURY | Race date:18/04/08 | Race time:1:10 | Runners:6 |
| Race distance:5f | Going:Good To Soft | Winners time:1m 4.71s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baycat | James Doyle | J G Portman | 5 | 9-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 33/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | |
| Skid Solo | Alan Munro | P W Chapple-Hyam | 7 | 9-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10/11F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | ¾ |
| Sun Ship | Richard Hughes | R Hannon | 1 | 9-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | 1 |
| Entrancer | Richard Mullen | W R Muir | 2 | 9-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | 2½ |
| Dabbers Chief | Michael Hills | B W Hills | 3 | 9-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | 5 |
| Klynch | L Dettori | B J Meehan | 6 | 9-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11/2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 6 | 7 |
Baycat tracked leaders, shaken up and quickened over 1f out to lead final 110yds, soon edged right, comfortably
Skid Solo pressed leader until driven to take slight advantage over 1f out stayed on until headed and outpaced final 110yds
Sun Ship slight lead until shaken up and headed over 1f out, stayed challenging until outpaced final 110yds
Entrancer chased leaders, ridden 2f out, outpaced approaching final furlong
Dabbers Chief went left start and slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase leaders but hanging left, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Klynch slowly into stride, in rear and ran greenly throughout
It was never going to be easy for unraced two-year-olds on a windy day, but those who showed the best early speed dominated and BAYCAT sprang something of a surprise, winning with a bit to spare. Providing One Cool Cat with hisfirst winner in Britain, he showed plenty of speed, quickening quite well when given a slap, and was nicely on top at the line, despite edging both ways under pressure.
His relatively small yard is hardly renowned for its success with juveniles, although it does have winners, and it will be fascinating to see where he turns up next. Connections, who admitted they expected him to win a maiden but not at somewhere like Newbury, reportedly have no specific plans.
Skid Solo, whose yard chose this race to launch the career of star two-year-old Winker Watson last term, has a Group 1 Phoenix Stakes entry and was understandably made favourite, sporting the same colours as last term's victor. Though having stamina in his pedigree (half-brother to 1m2f performer Tadabul and 1m6f winner Duroob) his dam won over 5f and this late foal looked well forward for his debut. It was soon clear he knew his job, grabbing the assistance of the rail, but things did not pan out as expected and he simply failed to matchthe pace of the winner. A race will certainly come his way, but he is no Winker Watson.
Entrancer, a brother to speedy juvenile winner Siena Gold, comes from a yard that has made a bright start to the season and he shaped with plenty of promise in fourth, finishing well clear of the other two. He was under pressure quite early, showing signs of inexperience, but his trainer's juveniles often improve for a run and it was pleasing to see him keep on right the way to the line. Winning an ordinary maiden should prove a formality.
Dabbers Chief, a US-bred who cost e120,000, was representing the yard that took this race in 2005, but he went left coming out of the gate and never looked at ease, running very green. A fine, big sort, he was not given a hard time and can be expected to step up markedly next time.
Klynch, the first juvenile runner of the season for the yard, will want a little further than this in time and he was struggling from the word go, being slow out of the gate and running green. [MB]
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