Racecards
14:10 Haydock Park
Paul Sculthorpe Testimonial Maiden Auction Stakes (Class 5)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 1m 30y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
in touch, challenged over 1f out, no impression final 100 yards
- Age 2
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer M G Quinlan
- Jockey A Munro
took keen hold, mid-division, some headway 3f out, no further progress
- Form 34
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
led, headed over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer M Botti
- Jockey J P Spencer
raced keenly, always prominent, led over 2f out, pressed over 1f out, ran on well to assert final 100 yards
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer T D Walford
- Jockey D Fentiman
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway 2f out, kept on to go 3rd well inside final furlong
- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer J W Unett
- Jockey R Kingscote
prominent, ridden over 3f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out
Huxaar
53- Age 2
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer Mrs L Stubbs
- Jockey T Eaves
bumped start, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, lost place when hung left 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-9
slowly into stride, held up in rear, shaken up over 3f out, never in contention
- Form 75
- Age 2
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer E J O'Neill
- Jockey F Norton
chased leader until over 3f out, soon not much room briefly, weakened over 1f out
- Age 2
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey T Hamilton
in touch, no impression on leaders over 1f out, one pace
- Age 2
- Weight 8-6
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey P Hanagan
in touch, weakened over 4f out, well behind when eased inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-6
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Greg Fairley
in rear, soon pushed along, never in contention
In depth
Verdict
Splinter Cell ran well enough on his debut to suggest he is good enough to win a race of this nature so is given the vote to break his maiden tag at the expense of Russian George and Viking Awake. The selection ran third of thirteen at Leicester on his debut showing a little bit of greenness as was expected. With that experience now behind him he can improve and is certain to be in the shake up. Russian George has had two attempts to date and has run well on each occasion. His latest effort when fourth in an above average maiden at York was a solid performance and he will pose as the biggest danger. Viking Awake showed some promise on his debut at Leicester when finishing a running on fifth of thirteen so he should be monitored in the betting market. But for the winner we return to Splinter Cell.
Formwatch
Union Island (IRE) Rock of Gibraltar colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 1m-1m2f.
Flashgun (USA) Lemon Drop Kid colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 5f-1m4f.
Russian George (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Perpetually (9-3) at York 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) gf in Jul.
Splinter Cell (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Wilbury Star (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jul.
Viking Awake (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 13, 3l behind Wilbury Star (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jul.
Herawati Celtic Swing gelding, half-brother to winning stayer Borodin.
Victorian Tycoon (IRE) 17-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Fastnet Storm (9-1) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Shady Lady (IRE) Celtic Swing filly, sister to numerous winners from 1m-1m6f.