BORAGH WATERS (Kempton 6.20 p.m.) Median auction race start for this daughter of Araafa, who has been shaping with some promise on the gallops. Our newcomers often need their first experience of the racetrack, and the same goes for her.
CRIMSON CHEER (same race). Similar comments apply to this daughter of Van Nistelrooy as those posted above. Like Boragh Waters she has been working nicely, but the acid test will come when she leaves the paddock.
FANTACISE (Windsor 5.40 p.m.) Daughter of Pivotal makes her debut in what is often a good maiden. It is easy to anticipate ability as she is half sister to ten previous runners, all winners. Two of them, Romantic Liason and Romantic Myth, won the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, the former under the care of Brian. The ground is sure to be on the soft side, but Pivotal’s sons and daughters generally cope with it. Optimism on this debut, but as usual it is expected that she will learn from the experience.
MORTITIA (Lingfield 2.10 p.m.) Smart 2010 juvenile who won at the Glorious Goodwood meeting and was an unlucky second in the valuable fillies’ nursery at Doncaster. Had a shortened campaign – ended in June- as a three-year-old but has returned in great form and can re-state her claims as a stakes performer this year. She has a fair bit to find on official ratings compared with a number of these in a hot renewal of this Group 3 fillies’ race, for her return, but may out-perform her lengthy odds.
FORBIDDEN FRUIT (Ascot 4.00 p.m.) Sharp Acclamation colt is half-brother to five winners rated up to 100. He has been going nicely on the home gallops, but as usual with a Manton newcomer, will benefit greatly from the experience, while running a nice race.
BALLESTEROS (Chester 3.05 p.m.) Tomba three-year-old showed steady improvement through the second half of last season, collecting a hat-trick. Versatile as to running five or six furlongs, he also copes with any ground. He impressed at Sandown last time in the mud, and even though a few pounds higher now, has the class to make a winning follow-up. Carries maximum confidence.
MUHDIQ (Lingfield 3.15 p.m.) Son of Hard Spun has been progressing in his work and has achieved enough to suggest he will be competitive at this level, even if he is likely to benefit from the experience.
BALLYHEIGUE (Kempton 6.55 p.m.) Son of High Chaparral made a reasonable comeback at Nottingham, but late on seemed to lose a little concentration, dropping back to fifth. An extra furlong fits with his pedigree, while first-time blinkers and a good draw should also be helpful components. Might make the frame in a competitive affair.
SANDBETWEENOURTOES (Kempton 9.00 p.m.) Uneasiness at the gate probably contributed to a slower-than-anticipated start at Lingfield, and he was always playing catch up against a promising sort, who has won easily since. His goose, metaphorically speaking, was cooked when he jinked out wide on the final bend, but there was nothing wrong with his finishing effort in a close third. This 0-75 looks within reach and he rates a decent bet.
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© 2011 Brian Meehan at Manton