Racecards
14:20 Leicester
E.B.F. John Virgo Maiden Stakes (Div 1) (Class 4)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 7f 9y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm)
- Surface: Turf
Bellini Star
18- Form 8
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer P D Evans
- Jockey F P Ferris
chased leaders over 4f
- Form 055
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer M P Tregoning
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey J Fortune
keen, chased leaders, ridden, carried head high over 1f out, hung right then left inside final furlong
- Form 50
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Mrs H Sweeting
- Jockey G Baker
held up, ridden and weakened 2f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey J P Spencer
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong, never nearer
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 9
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer L M Cumani
- Jockey N Mackay
slowly into stride, pushed along and headway halfway, kept on final furlong
Montjeu Man
33- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey E Ahern
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched left, ran on well near finish
- Form 9
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
led over 4f, weakened final furlong
- Form 05
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
In depth
Verdict
A competitive division of the maiden with Green Calibre just securing the nomination ahead of Kings Head and Spider Power. Backers of Sir Michael Stoute's juveniles would have been in profit this term and Green Calibre, who is a half-brother to Him Of Distinction, looks a likely type to add to that tally. King's Head sets a fair standard for him to aim at. Fourth in a Newmarket maiden to Gin Jockey, he was never that far away and gave the impression that improvement was likely. Spider Power is speedily bred but once again, this week's results hardly inspire confidence to be lumping on anything that Godolpin send out. Joint Acquisition would be interesting if there were to be any market support. He is a half-brother to several juvenile winners and the ring will doubtless prove an important guide. As an inmate of a predominantly National Hunt yard, Shipmaster is likely to start off a few points bigger than he should but he was an expensive purchase and is related to a number of South African winners. Sprouston looks best of the rest in spite of his tendency to race with an awkward carriage. Green Calibre is selected on this occasion in a fascinating affair.
Formwatch
Bellini Star 80-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, keen, held up, never near leaders, 8th of 10, 9l behind Unique Moment (8-1) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Dahaaleez (USA) 13-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Nihal (8-9) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Fredricksburg (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 1f out, some headway inside final furlong, never near leaders, 10th of 19, 11l behind Red Ash (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
George The Second 14-1 (9-0) Led to over 2f out, kept on until weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 8l behind Gramm (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Green Calibre Green Desert colt out of Air of Distinction, a Group 3 winner at 6f. Half-brother to winners at 6f and 1m.
Joint Acquisition (IRE) Mull of Kintyre gelding out of Vieux Carre. Half-brother to numerous winners between 5f and 1m.
King's Head (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 4th of 20, 3/4l behind Gin Jockey (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Jul.
Master At Arms 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, outpaced and well in rear, ran on final 2f, no danger, 9th of 14, 9l behind Faith And Reason (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Montjeu Man 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders over 5f out, 12th of 20, 4l behind Gin Jockey (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Jul.
Shipmaster Slip Anchor colt out of Cover Look, a high-class multiple winnerin South Africa.
Spider Power (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-0) Chased leaders over 3f, 9th of 12, 17l behind Bucharest (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Sprouston (FR) 4-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Truly Fruitful (9-0) at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.