Milrow is napped with confidence for the Maiden Stakes over ten furlongs of Lingfield polytrack today; in a similar situation at Chelmsford nineteen days ago Michael Meade’s charge was clearly outpointed but achieved a ‘career-best’ which, of course, is significant.
Cape Of Glory won by three lengths but others were more than four lengths and upwards in arrears, a sure indication of a strongly-run race and solid form. From the outset Milrow was on the back-foot, he swerved coming out of the stalls and given the circumstances did well to finish second; it will be a surprise and (financially!) disappointing if this Tamayuz colt doesn’t make it fourth time lucky.
Experience is so necessary; every box is ticked, clear ‘best-in’ and strongly-fancied by his trainer, and regular jockey, Fergus Sweeney. Three of seven rivals are newcomers and it will be interesting to watch the betting markets but don’t oppose Milrow!
Following three compulsory runs for qualification Hey Ben is declared for the 3-y-o handicap over seven furlongs and looks an each-way proposition woth three places available. Hey Ben caught my eye earlier this month when finishing well, fourth to Khameela, over six furlongs of this course; extra distance should be ideal.
No ‘cert’ by any means but this is a progressive type and we might just catch him at double-digit odds; hope springs eternal!
Later Wolverhampton stages its obligatory ‘Friday-nighter’ and Mark Johnston-trained Marlee has been gifted a seven furlongs 3-y-o handicap, judged on an impressive winning debut at Chelmsford three weeks ago; absolutely ‘thrown-in’ and the handicapper is bound to view this with trepidation!
SELECTIONS
9.25 Milrow
11.40 Hey Ben
2.15 Marlee