Features / Andrew Jackson / 06 May 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

A race full of potential improvers at HQ on 1000 Guineas day...

"Temple Meads seemed to have a bit to spare crossing the line, and should leave the bare form of this result well behind in due course."

The Belucky@StanJames.com Maiden Stakes run over five furlongs at Newmarket on Sunday has proved to be a very informative contest over the years and the latest renewal looks sure to continue that trend, with the winner potentially useful and most of the rest giving the impression that they are capable of much better. As in the day's feature race, the 1000 Guineas, those closest to the stand rail were favoured.

Temple Meads, a £16,000 yearling, looked ready on the day and was duly strongly supported in the market. He was fast out of the stalls and, despite hitting a flat spot, burst through again once switched right over a furlong from home. Temple Meads seemed to have a bit to spare crossing the line, and should leave the bare form of this result well behind in due course. Six furlongs should not be a problem for him when the time comes.

Oracle stepped up on his debut in heavy ground at the Curragh, and produced an effort that would have been good enough to win most maidens. He seemed to know his job well and overcame the widest draw of all to take over briefly before being unable to match the winner's turn of foot. There should be even better to come from him when tried over six furlongs and further.

Al Aasifh was another who was caught wide and also showed greenness on his first racecourse experience, which resulted in him taking a bit longer to wind up his effort. Frankie Dettori never gave him more than a hand ride, and his close proximity under such considerate handling suggests that there should be improvement next time, and possibly a lot.

Sheer Courage has a pedigree that suggests immediate improvement, and his performance on the day suggested that he will benefit from the experience. He didn't look fully clued up out wide and faded, but was spared a hard time by his rider, and there is better to come from him, particularly over further.

Numeral, who should also benefit from a greater test of stamina, he shaped better than the result given that he was slowly away and was granted no room when beginning to open up in the final furlong. He finished with more to give and will be all the better for this experience.

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Tags: Al Aasifh, Newmarket, Oracle, Sheer Courage, Temple Meads