325 Sandown Friday. Irish Stallions Farms EBF Maiden Stakes

                                                 Friday 6th July  325 Sandown

                                                 Irish Stallions Farms EBF Maiden Stakes

An interesting 12 runner maiden which pits a few juveniles with decent form against a few likely looking newcomers

Brownsville- a $50,000 purchase from a well connected US family for the in form Mark Johnston stable who has ran solid races on his two runs to date. Very much looked in the need of experience when 4th on debut but looked more professional when 2nd to a well backed winner at Leicester last time. Has jockey of the moment James Doyle doing the steering this time, but will have to improve in what looks a stronger maiden than the two he has contested so far

Calrissian- Another member of the Alan Jarvis team who was thrown into the deep end at Ascot on debut, ran in the Chesham, who now drops down to maiden class. Ran okay to finish 8th of 19 but there was a lot of dead wood in that race and wouldn't be getting too carried away with the bare form. Promising jockey takes off 5lb but doubt that will be enough to see him winning here

Cape Arrow- from a trainer doing well with his two year old's this year, and some appeal on pedigree and price tag. However hasn't shown enough on the track, in rear at big odds on both starts, to recommend a play

Diapenko- a £42,000 purchase from the first crop of Archipenko out of a winning mare who is closely related to The Kirsten Rausing bred group one winners Gateman and Lady Jane Digby. Looked incredibly unlucky on debut over course and distance when heavily bumped on 3 occasions by Leaderene, ironically owned and bred by Rausing, before staying on to be beaten 1.5 lengths by the useful Downturn. Fallon wasn't overly hard on him that day and the trainers juveniles are famed for improving from first run to second. Must have every chance of making amends for his unlucky debut run here

Dover The Moon- a £100,000 purchase by freshman sire Bushranger for the all conquering Hannon and Hughes partnership. Related to a few useful sorts who showed form at 2, the best of them being the group one placegetter Honours List. Looks the part on paper and holds entries in the Tattersalls sales races at the end of the year. Will likely know his job first time out, but will have to be above average to take this

Early Morning- A New Approach colt out of a group placed mare who is related to crack stayers Papineau and Silver Patriarch. Looks a galloper on pedigree and the trainer has a poor strike rate with his juveniles. I cannot imagine today will be the day

Emirates Galloper- out of a mare who won over 1m 3f but who is related to some speedier types. Being by Dalakhani every chance this one will improve on what he shows today and in time need a trip similar to what his dam excelled at. Connections always have to be feared in these races though- 27% SR here over the last 5 years, 30% UK wide- and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of him on his first trip to the racecourse

Jarlath- cost £8,000, is by Norse Dancer, was beaten 11 lengths on debut at 100/1, and is handled by a trainer who hasn't trained a juvenile winner. No

Munjally- has the highest RPR in the field and has ran two very solid races so far. Was 4th to the impressive Astaire at York on debut, before improving to close the gap on Jallotta, who finished 3.75 lengths ahead of him at York, to 2 lengths when third to that rival in a Newmarket maiden. Looked as if he knew his job, prominent in the market, well enough on both occasions and may not be prone to much improvement. Respected on his form and connections but i feel he may find one or two too good once more

Veya- by Giants Causeway out of Gossamer, who although not as talented on the track as her illustrious namesake proved her worth at stud by producing Irish 2000 guineas winner Bachelor Duke. This colt was expensive at 160,000 euros as a yearling and ran in a hot Leicester maiden, the first two look group performers, on debut. He finished 7th and was beaten a long way but reasons to expect a better display here as he was hampered and noticeably green first time out. William Buick takes over from Tom McLaughlin today and Ed Walker is a capable trainer in this sphere. A potential improver and a possible each way chance at value odds

Full Day- interesting debutant from the Ralph Beckett yard, who posseses a cracking page. He is out of a listed winning mare who finished 4th in the guineas who has produced 2 black type performers from 5 winning foals. This one is by the regally bred freshman sire Champs Elysees who got his first UK winner on the board at Kempton on Wednesday. Plenty to like about his chances on paper and although his trainer hasn't set the world alight with his two year old's this year he remains a trainer to keep onside in this discipline. Has the assistance of the always excellent Jim Crowley and could be a big player in this

Practising- second string for the Beckett Yard. Cheap purchase and looks as if he will need  further than this on pedigree. The jockey just doesn't ride winners- SR of 5%- and unlikely to be winning here

Verdict- A potentially decent maiden but hopefully one with a standout chance. Diapenko was a big eyecatcher over course and distance when finishing second to Downturn and with any improvement should prove tough to beat. I would imagine his main rival in the market will be Munjally but i think the bigger danger could come from the Ralph Beckett first timer Full Day. Of the rest Veya should improve from debut and may well outrun his odds and sneak into a place

1 Diapenko
2 Full Day
3 Veya