Godolphin

19 ran 1m24.20  
Owner: Godolphin

A fascinating renewal of a maiden with a fine tradition, almost certainly a race that's going to pay to keep an eye on, with numerous leading stables represented, the gallop sound and the winner most impressive; in contrast to the first 3 races, a near-maximum field soon raced together towards the stand rail. RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) had clearly made great strides since what actually seemed no more than a fairly promising debut over 6f here last month, leaving that form way behind with a most taking performance; soon travelling sweetly, he readily left his field for dead exiting the Dip, winning by a long-looking 5 lengths; likely to stay 1m, he should be well up to making an impact in stronger company; a good sort physically, he also impressed on the way to post, showing a fluent, light action, handling the ground well. FIFTEEN LOVE (USA) (Point Given half-brother to several winners, including 2001 2-y-o 7f winner Expected Bonus (later stayed 1¼m) and fairly useful 5f winner Charango; dam, 5.5f to 7f (at 2 yrs) winner, closely related to Breeders' Cup Classic winner Skywalker), a strong, close-coupled colt, who left the impression the outing would bring him to a peak, made a sound start and shouldn't have any problems in winning a maiden, chasing the pace and keeping on; he'll probably get 1m, but isn't certain to stay much further. EXHIBITION (IRE) (€225,000Y by Invincible Spirit; dam, Irish 1¼m/1½m winner, half-sister to useful Irish 1m/1¼m performer Bush Maiden), the subject of sound support, made a pleasing debut, the more so considering he seemed very green on the way to post (free under restraint) and then got a bit upset in his stall; soon travelling powerfully (seemed to lean on his bridle, carrying his head awkwardly), he wasn't able to cover the winner's move, keeping on pretty well nonetheless; a medium-sized, strong, sturdy colt, who looked as though the outing was needed, provided he learns to relax, he's sure to do better. MUJAADEL (USA), another to take a strong hold under restraint on the way down, as expected, improved from his debut, having every chance the way things panned out; bred to be suited by 1m, he's sure to win a race. KING OF WESTPHALIA (USA), without quite reproducing the form shown in a similar race at Leopardstown a month ago (race largely working out well), wasn't disgraced, soon having every chance, clear of the remainder. STRATEGIC MISSION (IRE), ridden differently this time, again showed ability, staying on despite getting slightly hampered by a rival over 1f out; somewhat on the weak side at present, he's probably still open to improvement. UPTON GREY (IRE) (Dalakhani half-brother to 7f winner Lasso; dam, 7f winner (stayed 1m), half-sister to several at least useful performers, notably Coronation Stakes winner Rebecca Sharp), a smallish, workmanlike colt, may not be anything much on looks; however, considering he seemed pretty green beforehand, he shaped quite encouragingly, chasing the pace for over 5f, not overly punished; he'll surely benefit from the experience. TALAYEB (65,000F by Nayef; dam, lightly-raced maiden (second at 7f at 2 yrs), out of smart performer up to 1½m Papering), a good-quartered colt, who definitely looked on the burly side, should prove a fair bit sharper for his debut, especially upped to 1m, tracking the pace on the outer before keeping on steadily as matters built to a climax. SHEER BLUFF (IRE) (by Indian Ridge; dam, 1m winner from 2 starts at 2 yrs, closely related to Derby winner Oath and high-class 1m/1¼m performer Pelder) is a smallish, strong, stocky colt, and considering he didn't look fully wound up, that he showed a bit of ability was encouraging, albeit never a threat; he's in good hands and likely to do better. BOOMTOWN, having got rather on edge during the preliminaries, raced freely and in touch for over 4f; clearly nothing out of the ordinary, he's nonetheless shown ability all 3 starts and, now eligible for nurseries, probably remains capable of better. VISCONTI (45,000Y Medicean brother to 2006 2-y-o 1m winner Hohlethelonely and half-brother to useful 1999 2-y-o 7f winner (stayed 1½m) Everlasting Love and 1¼m winner Hoh My Darling; dam unraced half-sister to smart stayer Witness Box out of close relative to Dahlia), given that he looked as fit as any of the newcomers, was just a wee bit disappointing, steadily losing a fair position through the latter stages (edged right in dip); however, he wasn't overly punished and, an angular, quite attractive colt, who moved fluently to post, seems sure to benefit from the experience. KYRIE ELEISON (IRE)'s bare form left him well short of what's usually required for a maiden of this standard and, settled off the pace this time, never got competitive; however, he's by no means a bad sort and could well prove the type to show to better advantage now eligible for nurseries. BAVARIAN NORDIC (USA) (23,000Y by Barathea; dam, second at 7f/1m in France, half-sister to very smart Canadian Grade 1 1m winner Riviera), a good-bodied individual, who quite took the eye beforehand (albeit on burly side), went far too freely to post; held up, he ran green and never really figured, not overly punished; he certainly looks capable of better. MUBHER, a tall, rather leggy colt by Bahri (fit but decidedly on toes), didn't do enough to suggest he'll be of interest in a similar race next time. EXCAPE (IRE) got very upset in the stalls, missed the break and was always behind on his third run. SOGGY DOLLAR, by Bahamian Bounty, was singularly green, both in the paddock (shade coltish) and on the way down; soon in the rear, he never looked likely to play a part. DUBAI SAMURAI, a medium-sized, powerful-looking son of Dubai Destination, started slowly and, switched right and held up, was always one of the backmarkers. DREAM BEE, a gross filly by Oasis Dream, looked half asleep beforehand and, burly to boot, showed nothing of real worth. JABAL TARIQ (300,000Y by Rock of Gibraltar, closely related to smart 6f (at 2 yrs) to 9f winner Dunhill Star and half-brother to 3 winners, including very smart 7f (at 2 yrs) to 1¼m winner Best of The Bests; dam won Fred Darling Stakes and fourth in Oaks) shouldn't be judged harshly on what looks an inauspicious debut as just about everything went wrong for him; a big, strong colt, who wasn't fully wound up, he surely wasn't helped by Excape's antics in the next stall beforehand and, very slowly away, never got into contention, actually beginning to make a little progress when hampered in the dip; he's almost certain to do better.