DBS Yearling stakes

                                                              DBS Yearling Stakes


20 2yos who were bought at the DBS yearling sales are chasing the lucrative first prize of £154,000 with vastly differing levels of ability. As ever it looks fiendishly difficult all for a good few can be confidently dismissed.

Miracle of Medinah- Mark Usher colt who has been one of the success stories of the season having cost a mere £3,000 and who has won 3 races including a listed contest at Newbury. Also has the scalp of the Acomb winner on his CV but was a well beaten 9th in the Richmond last time and suspicion is that he has had his day in the sun

Thunder Strike- Arguably the classiest horse in the race having finished placed in the Richmond and fourth in the Coventry stakes. If you can forgive his inexplicable last of five behind Miracle of Medinah in a listed contest in between those two runs he has a profile that would be good enough to win an average renewal of this race. Much feared for messrs Hannon and Hughes

Sleeper King- Strong travelling type from the Kevin Ryan stable which has taken this race the past two seasons. Looked all over the winner on debut over six furlongs before being swamped close home and has raced exclusively at five furlongs since. Comes here having been beaten less than two lengths in the Molecomb and certainly has the class to take a hand here. Just a suspicion that six here may stretch him but must be feared with his handlers record in the race

Viva Verglas- Rapidly improving sprinter from the David Barron stable who comes here seeking a four timer. His victories have all been achieved at five furlongs but the step up to six should pose few problems based on the nature of those wins. Needs to improve again but certainly not impossible that he can

Yorkshire Relish- Winner of a seller and is rated 77 unlikely to add his name to the Kevin Ryan roll of honour

Dutch Breeze- £62,000 colt who has finished runner up on both starts to date. Very promising on debut when narrowly beaten by the potentially useful Smart Salute, but took a step back from that form when beaten further in a weaker race on second start. Unlucky to break the maiden in this field

Fair Ranger- Progressive type who has yet to be out of the top three and has contested some hot races in his five race career. Beat Acomb also ran Brazos last time over seven furlongs but shouldn't have any trouble cutting back to six having already won at the distance. His rating of 87 may underestimate his ability and is a useful second string for the Hannon team

Foxy Clarets- Narrow winner of a weak Newcastle maiden last time but had showed useful form before that when ninth in the super sprint and a potential filled third on debut. Trainer is always feared at this course and although an unlikely winner perhaps shouldn't be such a massive price

Green Door- Useful juvenile from the in form Olly Stevens team who having won a decent maiden at Newmarket then finished seventh in the Norfolk Stakes. He arrives here having won a useful four runner race at Lingfield last time, although possible that he bettered that form the time before when last of three but only beaten 1.75 lengths by Emirates Flyer at Newmarket. Is what he is and should find a few too good here

Haikbidiac- Well held by Thunder Strike on his third in the Woodcote but improved on RPRs when fourth in the Super Sprint. Each way possibilities but will have to improve if he is to win and add to William Haggas' impressive course record

Morning Post- Four race maiden who has gone backwards from a promising debut. A rating of 84 possibly flatters him and looks down the pecking order of his trainers runners here

Nezar- Promising sort who won on debut before narrowly losing out last time to an unbeaten gelding of Richard Hannons. Less exposed than many in the field and is very likely better than his current rating of 81. Improvement needed but definitely considered with William Buick on board

Party Ruler- Winner last time from the Tom Dascombe team, that was a weak nursery though and he didn't have to improve to take it. His second to Finn Class, who received 7lb, the time before was a decent run but he still needs to improve on all known form

Rufford- One of the more interesting runners from the Richard Fahey team. Impressive on debut over course and distance, form hasn't worked out, he was backed into long odds on in a four runner conditions race on next start. He hung away his chance that day finishing only third, one place behind the reopposing Fair Ranger, but is likely to be better suited by this track. Likely to have had this race as a target for a while and one of the more likely sorts

Touch the Clouds- Sleeping Indian Gelding who comes here having won three on the bounce and having improved out of all recognition from his early outings. However that success was achieved at a far lesser level than he experiences here and wont be making it four in a row today

Ventura Mist- Likeable filly who tries her upmost every time she goes to the track. Has been rewarded with victory in the valuable Hilary Needler and earned some Black Type when runner up in a listed contest at Newmarket last time. Rough and ready nature of this race should suit and every chance of being bang there at the finish

Xanthos- Another horse who looks as if he would suited better by further but who chances his arm for the big pot. A ready winner over seven furlongs last time at Newcastle and bred to need further than that in time. Trainer well respected in this sphere but all likely to be happening a stride quickly today

Oasis Town- Another from the Kevin Ryan battalion who receives weight from all her rivals today. Showed she has the mettle for this kind of race when third in the super sprint and shouldn't have a problem with the extra furlong here. Has Silvestre De Sousa on board today and is a lively contender

Toubogg Happy- Filly from the James Tate yard who finished runner up to the useful Wee Jean on debut before making no mistake when long odds on at Brighton next time out. Finished third behind Party Ruler when giving that rival 7lb last time but much better off with that rival today and still has some scope for improvement having only had three runs. Trainer another of the young breed who does well with his juveniles and another possible contender


Verdict- Fascinating renewal with as ever a wide spectrum of form lines on display. The selection is Thunder Strike who offers the class angle having ran well in group and listed company. Of the countless dangers Toubogg Happy has the potential to go well receiving weight from all and the consistent Ventura Mist is another to consider for her local trainer

1 Thunder Strike
2 Toubogg Happy
3 Ventura Mist