Timeform Daily: thisissurreytoday.co.uk 5f Novice Stakes (5), Lingfield, Friday August 7, 3.40

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 06 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Farmer Giles is a speedy colt, who was successful in a five furlong maiden at Ripon in June, making all. He went off too hard and paid the price over six furlongs at Newmarket last time, and the return to five furlongs is ideal. He may still do better on this switch to all-weather."

Farmer Giles shouldn't have any problems handling polytrack and will be
well suited by this return to five furlongs. Lady Royal Oak looks the danger, her tremendous early pace likely to trouble the entire field on her all-weather debut. Any cash for the newcomer Elusive Trader would be of major interest.

Craicattack is a fair colt who got off the mark at Brighton in June. He has put in creditable efforts in defeat on both starts since, including on his handicap debut off top weight on Wednesday over five furlongs. He is still up against it on his all-weather debut.

Farmer Giles is a speedy colt, who was successful in a five furlong maiden at Ripon in June, making all. He went off too hard and paid the price over six furlongs at Newmarket last time, and the return to five furlongs is ideal. He may still do better on this switch to all-weather.

Schoolboy Champ is bred to be precocious and duly made a winning start over five furlongs at Haydock in June. That wasn't a strong affair and he takes a step up in class here on this switch to all-weather. More is needed and others look stronger.

Brambleberry made a decent debut when showing speed and beating subsequent winner Virginia Hall over this course and distance. She has folded tamely on both starts since, and is a risky proposition while she seems to have some form of problem.

Elusive Trader is an Elusive Quality colt, and his dam was a US Grade 2 nine furlong winner. His top stable is churning out the 2-y-o winners, as is their habit every season, and this debutante is quite likely to be useful. The market will be informative.

Lady Royal Oak showed tremendous speed on her Nottingham debut (still three lengths clear a furlong out), and when facing a stiff task in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot. She is open to improvement in a first-time tongue tie/all-weather bow.