The Tim Easterby trained Azagal is the pick from last week's action, who recorded her second win in succession after beating Tweety Pie by one-and-three-quarter lengths in the six furlong nursery at Thirsk on Friday. She currently holds entries for both the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York's Ebor festival and the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Doncaster's St. Leger meeting, which tells you something about the sort of esteem she is held in by her connections.
She was handled carefully on her first racecourse start at Ripon in April and certainly needed the experience after running greenly in the early stages. However the overall impression was a good one as she stuck to her task well and finished with some left in the tank.
Next time out at Thirsk saw a marked improvement as she shaped extremely well in what was a muddled contest, finishing third in what was actually blanket finish. What was particularly likeable about that performance was the way she quickened heading into the final furlong and given that her sister Azamata had won over 10f; any step up from the minimum trip was likely to bring about improvement.
It may be that her next outing Chester came a little too soon with just seven days off the track as she disappointed there, only finishing fifth in what was a fair maiden despite shaping with promise. It is equally possible that like a lot of horses she found the unique demands of the Roodee not quite to her liking, but with step up to 6f expected to suit it was undoubtedly a below par performance.
Thankfully since then she has improved significantly on each of her three remaining starts, the first of which came at Doncaster last month where she was headed close home after looking back to her promising best for most of the race. It is possible the jockey went a little too early and having showed a decent turn of foot she did well to hang on for as long as she did before falling victim to a trademark late dash by Ryan Moore aboard Fair Trader.
That form was strong enough to see her finally shed her maiden tag at Carlisle at the beginning of July, where her customary turn of foot at the one furlong marker was more than enough to deliver a first career win, which was long overdue considering her ability. It was a performance which confirmed suspicions that a switch to nurseries would suit, and she saved her best until last when winning convincingly at Thirsk last week.
She lost half a length at the start after missing the break, and despite a small field ran into some trouble in-running with three furlongs to go, however once she fought her way through the gap the way in which she put daylight between her and her rivals was very striking, confirming the ability that had always been suggested by previous performances.
She is currently rated at 92p by Timeform; given she is entered in some of the better contests for two year old fillies at the end of the season it would be no surprise if she proves to be considerably better than that figure and can make it a hat-trick of wins at the very least.
Timeform Notebook
Mankini had no problem defying a 12 lb rise for his facile Doncaster victory when recording another easy win at Leicester on Wednesday. He is sure to go on improving and can still prove he is ahead of his mark in future contests.
A trip back to Deauville proved fruitful for the David Brown team as My Catch picked up a valuable bonus for his win in the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg having been bought from the Arqana sales there. The strong travelling type made all under Jamie Spencer and can land further valuable prizes if he continues along the same lines.
Jamaican Bolt - Of interest in five-furlong handicaps with cut in the ground.
Loving Spirit - One to note in seven furlong or one-mile handicaps.
Border Legend - Remains unexposed and one to bear in mind for handicaps.
Galileo Rock - Performed well at the top level and looks an ideal St Leger candidate
Pether's Moon - An unexposed, progressive and well-handicapped three-year-old.
Salford Red Devil - Steadily progressive, won two of latest three starts.
Cape Peron - Progressive three-year-old who didn't harm reputation at Royal Ascot.
Integral - Impressive winner of both starts and could make mark at top level
Mankini - Will be difficult to beat in handicaps over 10 furlongs or further
Glorious Protector - Boasts strong form in maidens and unsuited by steady pace on handicap debut
My Catch - Maiden who travelled very strongly at Royal Ascot.
Kingman - Incredibly impressive debut, running to a big figure in a quick time. Very exciting prospect.
Ertijaal - Above-average early achievements, impressive in success at Yarmouth last time. Pattern performer in the making.
Deserted - Improved when third at Doncaster on second start, will stay further and continue progressing.
Brass Ring - Form has worked out exceptionally well and is extremely well treated.
Fire Fighting - Rapidly improving juvenile, likely to progress further when upped in trip.
Azagal - Juvenile filly with a smart turn of foot, of interest in better contests at the end of the season.
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