Christmas comes early for Nordic Spruce
Henry Cecil could have a very profitable day at Haydock on Thursday where he runs a number of horses with good chances. None more so than Nordic Spruce who contests the E B F Aaron Moon Novice Fillies Stakes at 2.40pm. She has had just the one start so far which came in a maiden at Nottingham in July. In the paddock beforehand, she looked as though the experience would do her the world of good, as she appeared quite backward in appearance. This was also reflected in the betting as she drifted on course from 5/2 out to 4/1.
Those signs appeared to be correct in the early stages of the race as she lost ground at the start with a poor break from the stalls. However, she soon recovered and quickly made progress to join the leaders. When asked to quicken inside the final furlong, she took a while to respond to the urgings of jockey Ian Mongan, but when the penny dropped, she picked up in good style and got up to win by a neck from Royalorien.
The filly looks sure to have come on a ton for that effort, and she has reportedly worked well on the Newmarket gallops since. With Dynaformer as her sire, she will also appreciate the forecast softer ground, as progeny of that stallion appear to excel on such a surface. Although there is some stiff opposition here, she can win this before going on to better things.
Sweetie Time
There are dangers though and Michael Bell will fancy his chances with his course and distance winner Sweetie Time. She did not cut much ice when making her debut in a good maiden contest at Newmarket, where she struggled for most of the race, finishing a well-beaten seventh of eight behind Hortensia. She had clearly shown her connections some signs of ability in her work, as she did come in for support that day.
However, she obviously benefited from that run, as she looked a different proposition altogether next time at this course. Prominent throughout, she took up the running a furlong from home and quickly pulled away from her rivals and at the line, finished over three lengths clear of Khor Sheed who has gone on to win a listed event at Newmarket. Clearly, that form is very good and if she has improved at all, then she will be a tough opponent to crack and should make the frame at the very least.
Alan Swinbank’s yard is in a bang in form at present as they have managed five wins from their last 20 runners. He has a potentially smart filly entered here named Tallahasse, who created a very favourable impression on her only start at Beverley. It was an excellent effort considering she was slowly away and then hampered at a vital stage. Yet such was her turn of foot that she was able to come through and lead well inside the final furlong and win by over two lengths.
Any horse capable of doing that is worthy of consideration. It is a concern that she steps up in distance here, as her pedigree is more suited to a test of speed. This is also far more competitive than her debut run, and although she looks sure to improve, she may not have the scope of the two principals.
Turn The Tide
Of the remainder, Turn The Tide from the Alan Bailey stable is the only other horse that can seriously be considered. She made a winning debut at this track back in April, when she stayed on well to beat Magic Stella by a length and a half. She has since contested two very hot races, a listed event at York and followed up with a creditable performance in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. She drops down in grade here, but could easily be meeting a couple of top class individuals of the future and therefore may not find this much easier.
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