1:50 – Pertemps Network EBF Brocklesby Stakes
Not an easy start with 18 unraced juveniles going to post, but on paper there are a couple of standouts. Loaded Gun is the first runner in the UK for his Sire Magna Grecia, who began his stallion career with a winner in France last week, but he may struggle to match the claims of VALADERO. A €250k purchase by Starspangledbanner, he represents Amo Racing, who won this race last season with Persian Force and who also won the opening 2-year-old race of the season in Ireland last weekend.
He looks like he has been laid out for the race, especially as his connections had 3 runners in the 5-day entries and could give jockey Kevin Stott a perfect start in the UK for his new boss.
2:25 – Pertemps Network Spring Mile Handicap
Plenty of these have met before and their form lines will no doubt cross over regularly as the season progresses, but if there is an unexposed runner in this field it is surely THE GATEKEEPER. He returned from a long absence at Newcastle a month ago to record his first success in a race that has worked out very well in the interim period as both the 2nd and 3rd have won on their next starts. He beat Atomic Force on debut in 2021 and was considered good enough to run in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot before injury kept him off the track for the best part of 2 years.
It is interesting to see his connections persist and his Newcastle win confirmed that he still retains both his ability and enthusiasm for racing. Stall 19 is not ideal, but he looks to have something in hand and Andrea Atzeni, who has a 19% strike rate at the track, will know what to do to get him into a competitive position.
3:00 – Pertemps Network Cammidge Trophy Stakes (Listed)
With soft ground forecast, it could pay to back KINGS LYNN. Owned by his majesty The King, he has a superb record at Doncaster (1,2,1,2) and has won here in the past when there has been some juice in the ground. He was given some tough assignments last season, running in the Platinum Jubilee and the Champion Stakes where his limitations were exposed, but he drops back down to listed company here and should find this an easier task.
4:45 – Pertemps Network Maiden Stakes
There are several top pedigrees on show here and it looks like this could be a piece of form to follow in the coming weeks. Of those with experience, Maxi king and Ribal have achieved the most, but neither sets an insurmountable standard and so instead a tentative selection is made for CARLTON. A £350,000 yearling at Tatts in 2021, he is by Frankel out of a German mare who won on debut and went on to place in pattern company.
She handled soft ground well and so the forecast going shouldn’t be any real concern and he could make a decent fist of things on debut under James Doyle.
5:20 – Pertemps Network Apprentice Handicap (Div 1)
It is hard to say that any of these runners are still progressing, but it can pay to follow the jockey over the horse in this type of race and there are few more exciting apprentices than Billy Loughnane. He rides CRAFTER for his father, who was a winner on soft ground in France when trained by Andre Fabre in 2021.
He has missed some time and his form on the all-weather has not been overly inspiring, but the cheekpieces go on for the first time and the return to turf should be a plus based on his breeding. A mark of 68 could look very generous if he can return to the level of form that he showed in his younger days.
5:50 – Pertemps Network Apprentice Handicap (Div 2)
We will stick with Billy Loughnane for the final race on the card as he rides the completely unexposed 4-year-old HIGHLIGHTER. He makes his handicap debut on a mark of 72 and with 10-2 on his back this won’t be easy, but he hasn’t been disgraced in 2 runs for Gemma Tutty on the All-weather and the step up in trip should really suit this son of Australia.
His dam ran well on soft ground in France, and he looks certain to be able to stay the distance, which could leave him with a very winnable opportunity.
