WINDSOR

6:40 WEATHERBYS BANK CONDITIONS STAKES (CLASS 2) (2yo) 5f

FAULT 9-0 ~ Yards sole 2yo runner of the season so far and he made a winning debut over course and distance earlier this month. Yard not known particularly for their first time out winners but he did it very easily. Difficult to know the strength of that race but it didn’t look particularly strong, especially when the favourite Robin The Till threw away his chance at the start. However the time was impressive and was 151 seconds faster than the other 2yo race on the card. The ground is quicker today but that shouldn’t inconvenience him too much and he has to be in with a chance.

WHITE SHIFT 8-9 ~ Speedy sort who just faded in the final furlong at Chester last time out but that is arguably the best piece of form on offer as the 2nd, Aspen Darling finished 3rd in a Listed event at York next time out. He is likely to ping the gates once again and it will be up to the rest of the field to try to peg him back.

SAYIF 8-8 ~ Peter Chapple-Hyams colt is easily the most expensive in the field coming in at a cool 200,000 gns when bought as a yearling. His sire Kheleyf, who finished 2nd in the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes 5f as a juvenile has made a fine start to his first season as a sire. Sayif is out of the same mare as Hunter Street, who won the Group 3 5f Cornwallis Stakes as a juvenile, so the pedigree is all about speed. However the yard has yet to have a 2yo winner so far this season (7-0) and has only had 1 winner this month (5% strike rate). It’s extremely likely that he’ll prove to be the best out of these in time but now may be the time to take him on first time out.

SQUARE EDDIE 8-8 ~ Stable mate of Kingsgate Native so the yard are more than capable with their 2yo sprinters. Square Eddie is a half-brother to Curlin but his sire Smart Strike is more than capable with sprinters (5-6f ~ 41% strike rate). His record with juveniles is also very good so on breeding he should be capable of making his mark in sprints as a 2yo. He was also an expensive purchase for the yard and as an American bred he is sure to appreciate this fast ground. The yard isn’t known for their first time out winners but they are more than capable when they have a decent horse which they might have here.

CONCLUSION

The odds on favourite Sayif maybe very good but he has yet to see a racecourse and there are plenty of unknowns so his price doesn’t really appeal. White Shift has the best piece of form on offer but he looks no more than an average performers. Fault should be fitter and is highly likely to improve on his fine debut winning performance. The yard is in fine form and he has some interesting entries so could be a bit better than White Shift. However he is conceding weight all round and he will have to be a good bit better than these to win. The supposed rag, Square Eddie is impeccably bred and from a yard who know their onions. They wouldn’t have forked out $200,000 for any old donkey and this race doesn’t look great so he could be more than capable of taking a hand on debut. This isn’t a great race at all and with only 3 rivals he could cause a surprise if the favourite doesn’t perform to expectations first time out.

1pt WIN – SQUARE EDDIE @ 50/1

RESULT

SQUARE EDDIE 3rd = -1pt