Racecards
14:25 Ascot
Helical Bar E.b.f. Maiden Stakes (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good to Firm (Firm in places;Round Course;Good to Firm)
- Surface: Turf
- £12,000 added
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R M Beckett
- Jockey Jim Crowley
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A P Jarvis
- Jockey N Callan
went slightly right start and slowly into stride, in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A P Jarvis
- Jockey M Davies
dwelt, ridden along in last, passed 2 rivals inside final furlong, no chance
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R Ingram
- Jockey T P Queally
chased leaders, ridden and struggling over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 8
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey C Catlin
went slightly right start, with leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner final 125 yards
- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey Louis Beuzelin
went slightly right start, tracked leaders on outside of field, ridden to lead and edged left over 1f out, ran on, drew clear final 125 yards
Verdict
This doesn't look a strong maiden for the track and it provides a good opportunity for THE LONG GAME to get off the mark, possibly at the expense of Shaabek and Dr Darcey. Brian Meehan's charge has Group One entries and while they may prove rather hopeful he did advertise ability on his debut at Chepstow. A speedily-bred sort, he's sensibly kept to six furlongs and should've learned plenty from that third-placed finish, when a tardy start left him with too much ground to make up. The yard's runners tend to come on for their first outing and any improvement will see this son of Kyllachy tough to beat. Shaabek has over 10 lengths to find with our pick having made his debut in the same maiden but he should bridge that gap and could be value for the forecast. The Mick Channon-trained colt was slowly away and never on terms but should come on plenty, although it has to be said this trip looks to be the absolute minimum. Dr Darcey must be respected, as is the case with any juvenile runner from this stable. Like Shaabek he's likely to improve over further but his dam did win over five furlongs at two and it's interesting connections have dropped him in trip. Of the Alan Jarvis-trained pair Matavia Bay makes more appeal than Oetzi, particularly in light of the jockey bookings, but the market will help to separate them. The most interesting newcomer is Golden Creek though, as Ralph Beckett's charge is has the pedigree of a potentially precocious and speedy sort. Support for any newcomer must be noted, but The Long Game sets the standard and there should be more to come.
Formwatch
Dr Darcey 16-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 18l behind Ecliptic (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Golden Creek (USA) Seeking The Gold colt out of Oyster Bay.
Matavia Bay (IRE) Bahamian Bounty colt out of Rosewater.
Oetzi Iceman colt out of Mad Annie.
Sabot D'or Auction House colt out of Perecapa.
Shaabek (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, outpaced and soon well behind, stayed on from over 1f out, never any chance, 8th of 9, 13l behind Rossetti (9-3) at Chepstow 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
The Long Game 13-2 (9-0) Went left start, mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Rossetti (9-3) at Chepstow 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.