Nabatean kept our noses in front at Nottingham on Wednesday and the flat racing switches to the all-weather tomorrow for a valuable card at Lingfield.
My regular followers will know that I am always keen on Newmarket maiden form but the 1.20 sets a bit of a poser with two promising with form from HQ. William Haggas saddles Sharqeyih, second to 50-1 shot Irish Rookie on her debut in a big field. She stayed on well without being given a hard time and is a nicely-bred daughter of Shamardal.
The big danger is Marco Botti’s Alfajer, equally promising when touched off by John Gosden’s Lady Correspondent. The race has split into two divisions and I would quite happily have backed them both if they hadn’t landed in the same heat! I may be clutching at straws here but Colorada finished closer to Alfajer on her debut than she did to Sharqeyih so I am going to side with the Haggas filly.
The longest race of the day is the Listed River Eden Fillies’ Stakes at 3.20 over a mile and five furlongs. Godolphin won it last year with Speckled who is back for another try but the money has been pouring on stable companion Hidden Gold. I watched the latter when she was thrashed by Rocket Ship at Pontefract in August and I would not have considered her for a race like this at the time. However, she went from last to first under hands and heels here last time out and has clearly improved.
Kikonga has been slightly disappointing this season and was beaten here a year ago while Tamasha is taking a big step up in class after winning easily at Salisbury. It may be one of those occasions when it is wise to follow the money.
Andrew Balding has provided this column with four winners in as many days and bids to extend the sequence with Intransigent. He won a shade cosily in a very valuable race at Ascot at the start of the month and meets disappointing favourite Prince’s Trust on 2lbs better terms here. He did put in one moderate run at Goodwood but has a touch of class about him and the stable are flying at present.
I have looked at the form for the Fleur De Lys Fillies’ Stakes inside out and upside down but cannot form a strong opinion. Water Hole comes out best on official figures but this is her sixth race in a reasonably short period. Dutch Rose was unlucky last time out but all of her wins have been at seven furlongs while Gifted Girl wouldn’t be out of it with the blinkers left off. She may be the best value in a really tricky race.
Sharqeyih 1.20 @10-9 Betfair
Gifted Girl 2.50 @12-1 Bet365
Hidden Gold 3.29 @9-4 Ladbrokes
Intransigent 3.50 @3-1 Bet365
