Horses In Focus / Timeform / 20 October 2009 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

A promising pair for the 2010 Flat season

Despite the 2009 Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes form appearing suspect, there were still some highly encouraging displays from some of the beaten horses, none more so than that of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Steinbeck back in fourth. Held in very high regard, the son of Footstepsinthesand was making only his second racecourse appearance, having suffered problems since making a highly promising winning debut at Naas in May.

Steinbeck set a strong pace against the stands rail and did extremely well to hold onto fourth behind stable-mate Beethoven, with the main action occurring in the centre of the track. Considering his relative inexperience and the fact that he was almost certainly asked to do too much in front, Steinbeck produced an excellent display which marks him down as a very smart prospect and a top contender for the 2000 Guineas ([11.5] to win on Betfair).

The Harry Findlay-owned juvenile Inler has long been held in the highest regard by trainer John Best, who described the son of Red Ransom as 'one of the best horses to have passed through his hands', and the faith seemed justified as Inler made an impressive debut when winning a six-furlong maiden at Newmarket last Friday. Travelling strongly and merely pushed clear, Inler looked a smart prospect and open to considerable improvement, with his pedigree suggesting that a mile should be within reach.

Tags: Dewhurst Stakes, Inler, Steinbeck