Racecards
14:20 Ascot
Euro Earthworks Novice Stakes (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer K A Ryan
- Jockey J P Spencer
reared start, took keen hold, switched to centre after 1f, led that duo, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no chance with stands side group over 1f out, soon weakened, well behind final furlong
Markyg (USA)
21- Form 43
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
tracked leaders stands side, chased winner and every chance over 1f out, not quicken, lost 2 places near finish
- Form 37
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey R L Moore
led stands side, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, held on well for 2nd
- Age 2
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
tracked leaders centre after 1f, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon weakened
- Age 2
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
held up last stands side, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on well to take 3rd final strides
- Age 2
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton
- Jockey T Quinn
tracked leader stands side, ridden to lead over 1f out and overall leader, soon well clear, pushed out, easily
Verdict
A rather disappointing turn out for the race given the entries but it's an interesting heat nonetheless in which Markyg sets the standard and is preferred to interesting newcomers Rio Del Oro and Sixties Swinger. The selection ran well for a long way on debut until tiring close home and finishing around a length and a half behind Pegasus Lad. The pair clashed again in the Chesham Stakes and this time Karl Burke's charge showed improved form to finish about 4 lengths in front of his rival in third. Slower ground is an unknown but he sets the standard and should take the beating. Fisher Hill can be expected to improve considerably from debut and can't be dismissed whilst it will be interesting to see what the market makes of the newcomers. Rio Del Oro has a smart American pedigree whilst Sixties Swinger is a well bred individual with a Derby entry but it would be a little surprising were The Cheka to prove good enough to land this. An interesting race which has been won by some smart performers in the past; MARKYG maybe able to add his name to the roll of honour.
Formwatch
Fisher Hill (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Went left start, took keen hold and soon tracking leaders, effort and ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Roly Boy (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Jun.
Markyg (USA) 22-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon headed, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Free Agent (9-3) at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Pegasus Lad (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Free Agent (9-3) at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Rio Del Oro (USA) Touch Gold colt, half-brother to a 5f-6f winner in the USA.
Sixties Swinger (USA) Refuse To Bend colt, half-brother to several winners on the flat and over hurdles.
The Cheka (IRE) Xaar colt, half-brother to winning miler Vettorenjoy.