No Hiding Place for Introvert
One of the best bets of the day on Wednesday is undoubtedly in the opening race on Lingfield’s card. The Ashurst Wood Median Auction Maiden Stakes at 2.00pm features eleven juvenile maidens with the Mahmood Al Zarooni trained Introvert likely to be the hot favourite, and deservedly so. A well-bred individual by Iffraaj, he made a highly encouraging debut in a very good maiden event at Newmarket, where he ran on strongly only to be touched off in the final strides by Liberty Cap.
When reappearing at Sandown earlier this month, he looked to have every opportunity of going one better and punters backed him off the boards with some hefty wagers. It is most likely that a lack of experience cost him the race, as having moved into a challenging position two furlongs from home, he began to wander across the course, losing several lengths in the process. Under the circumstances, he still did rather well to finish third behind Roman Eagle who looks a very useful prospect.
This race is far weaker and should be a penalty kick for Introvert who is likely to have improved again. His trainer is in good form too, having sent out four winners in the past fortnight. The booking of Frankie Dettori also catches the eye as he has a remarkable 30% strike rate around this track in the past five seasons.
With such an outstanding chance, it is difficult to see where the dangers are going to come from. Richard Hannon has his juveniles in good order and he has entered the filly, So Choosy. With just the one run under her belt, she could improve significantly on her debut effort when sixth of seven to Goodwood Treasure. She did not finish too far behind that day and kept on nicely in the closing stages. As promising a run as that may have been, she will have to step up markedly to challenge Introvert.
Keiron Fallon takes the mount aboard the Ed Dunlop trained Ya Hafed. This one has had two runs so far, making a rather inconspicuous debut in a Kempton maiden back in June. Never better than mid division, he failed to make any impression finishing ninth to Deep South. His subsequent outing at Wolverhampton provided far more encouragement. Despite hanging quite badly in the closing stages, he stayed on quite well into fourth place in the race won by Fifth Dimension. If he improves a little on that effort, which he may well do, then he could challenge for minor honours.
Nobody has his horses in better form than Sir Mark Prescott does at present and he has the dark horse of the race here in the shape of Memory Lane. The yard has managed six wins from their last 20 runners, which included the juvenile newcomer Clinical. Memory Lane fits into that category as this daughter of With Approval makes her debut here. Latest gallop reports suggest she has been working quite nicely with some of her stablemates, though she is likely to do better as a three-year-old. The best advice here is to watch the market for any significant support.
The only other runner with any serious claims here is the Jim Boyle trained Rowan Ridge. He ran a nice race on his debut at Epsom where he was prominent for much of the seven furlongs, before fading in the closing stages to finish fourth behind Whodathought. He is likely to strip much fitter for that and the winner that day looks to be up to listed class. Unfortunately, the stable are finding winners hard to come by at present and therefore is likely to be running for place money at best.
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