Features / Andrew Jackson / 28 April 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

The Poker at bet365.com maiden fillies' stakes run over ten furlongs at Sandown on Friday looks a potentially informative contest in the longer term. Many had little racing behind them, but there was plenty of promise.

"Connections indicated that an Oaks trial could be Fatanah’s next target, but she is no certainty to stay a mile and a half, with most of her close relatives proving best at around a mile to ten furlongs."

Fatanah seemed to have a know-how advantage over most of the field, but she put it to good use. Richard Hills controlled matters from the front, and once quickening the pace she brushed aside her rivals with ease in the last two furlongs. She is smartly bred and looks the type to leave this form well behind her. Connections indicated that an Oaks trial could be Fatanah's next target, but she is no certainty to stay a mile and a half, with most of her close relatives proving best at around a mile to ten furlongs.

Issabella Gem is almost certain to land a similar event in the near future after a promising display. Raced just once as a juvenile, she looked green initially once pressured but began to really get the message, powering home late on. Given the fact she was poorly positioned gives hope for better things to come, and her pedigree suggests she should stay further.

Ship's Biscuit was the chosen mount of Ryan Moore (he had three options in the race), and her promise remains intact. It appeared that greenness as much as anything was her undoing, this becoming apparent after she had raced prominently and didn't immediately respond to pressure. A step up in trip looks certain to suit (she is a half sister to Hi Calypso and Warringah), and Ship's Biscuit should show much better form in the future.

Fascination, a 290,000gns yearling, made an encouraging debut. She was unable to quicken after racing close up with the pace, and seemed to be in need of the experience. She is certain to improve on this effort, particularly when given a stiffer test of stamina.

Effervesce has shaped with quiet promise on both her starts to date. She was not knocked about and stuck on from mid-field, and will continue to improve with further racing.

Fantastic Cuix failed to settle and will possibly do better if tried in handicaps. Her breeding suggests that she is another who may benefit from a greater stamina test.

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Tags: Fascination, Fatanah, Issabella Gem, Sandown, Ship's Biscuit