Wetherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000, 2YO Stakes

                                                               £300,000 2YO Stakes

As you would expect for the money on offer this is a competitive heat with 22 juveniles chasing the £175,000 first prize. Whilst lacking a bona fide superstar this year, unlike in 2010 when Wooton Bassett took the pot, the big yards and the big owners are well represented

Morning Post- Promising on debut but has regressed since, won't be winning here carrying 9-2

Zaraee- First of four entries for Sheikh Hamdan and an interesting type having won 2 of his 3 races to date. Impressive on debut, albeit in beating a disappointing sort, he then went down narrowly to the useful Andhesontherun. A routine winner from two useful sorts at Chester last time, he has a progressive profile for a trainer who has his juveniles firing. Wears the black cap here and is ridden by Dane O'Neill so a chance he may fly under the radar. A big player

Tanseeb- Gets the green cap for the Hamdan team but is a likable sort and proved himself in a big field scenario when finishing second to Flying Bear, winner since, in a Goodwood Nursery last time. Likely to run his race without being quite classy enough

Ben Hall- The class angle of the race being the only runner with a three figure official rating. Achieved that in being beaten less than 3 lengths in the Richmond Stakes. Every chance that was a poor race for the grade, the first five all beaten next time out, and having only won a poor maiden to date he is opposable in this at the likely prices

Captain Bob- Four race maiden who is not without talent, but whose form has plateaued of late. Will probably be good enough to win a maiden down the line but his rating of 79 shows the improvement he needs to find to take this

Malachim Mist- Had no less than 7 winners in behind when breaking his maiden on second start at Goodwood. Although not out of the first two since he hasn't really kicked on from that display. Abandoned by Hughes and unlikely to have the toe of some of his rivals

Suzi's Connoisseur- Comes here on the back of a listed win at Baden Baden. Whilst it is often unwise to underestimate German form in general their juvenile scene on the whole is pretty weak. Better judged on his UK form which on balance would not be good enough

Tanzeel- Intriguing runner from the Charlie Hills stable who carries the first colours of the Hamdan operation. Although related to some useful sorts, Hitchens being the most notable, he was allowed to go off at 12/1 for a strong Ascot maiden on debut. However he ran above market expectations finishing a slightly unlucky 2nd to subsequent listed scorer Mappa Mundi. He didn't need to improve to break his maiden next time when slamming an over matched field by almost 5 lengths at Newmarket. The choice of Hanagan and has to be taken very seriously

Art Official- Looked a surefire winner when a narrow second to Coventry runner up Parbold on debut at York, but threw away a gilt edged chance when hanging across the course at Salisbury on second start. However seems more straight forward now having come second to a useful stablemate of Tanzeel on his third outing and winning his last two. Still narrowly taking a nursery off 84 is a long way from the form needed to win this and Hughes gets off today

Coulsty- The choice of Richard Hughes who comes here having finished 2nd off of top weight in a valuable York nursery. Looked a potential superstar when slamming the 95 rated Disko on debut but then ran a lifeless race when well fancied at Ascot, beaten nearly 10 lengths. Has bounced back to an extent when running with credit behind Astaire and Bunker before his run at York. Rated 2nd only to Ben Hall on ratings he has to be considered

Der Blaue Reiter- Well beaten in a seller on Tuesday

Mawfoor- Not seen since his Eighth place in the Coventry, but that and his form in two Maidens prior to the Royal meeting would give him every chance here. Can only assume he has had issues since and looks the third choice of  the Hamdan four on jockey bookings. Not to be written off though and if the market signals are encouraging he could be a player

Rossa Corsa- Highly tried inmate of Mick Channons who has ran with credit in group races. Probably ran his best race to date when dropped down to conditions class last time, when chasing home the progressive Lynn Valley at Goodwood. However has only won once in nine and that is enough to give him the swerve

Steventon Star- Early season speedster who has regressed since the better class of juvenile has come out to play. His form at that stage was so strong that he was sent off favourite to beat Rizeena in a listed contest at Sandown when a well beaten fourth. Hasn't been nearly as good since and not difficult to rule out in this field

Stormy Paradise- Two time winner from the Brian Meehan stable who finished fourth, a short head behind Coulsty, in a listed contest at Deauville last time. Bang there on the ratings and the choice of Dettori but still doesn't appeal as a win proposition

Khalice- Big improver from the Richard Fahey stable who arrives here seeking a hat trick. Was a weak nursery he won off 75 last time and will have to take another leap forward to get involved for all that he appears to be trainers number one. Not totally ruled out though and place possibilities at a big price

Finflash- Winner of a maiden at Chepstow on his sixth start, but looked well enough exposed prior to that. Can't have him at all

Foxy Clarets- Premier Yearling Stakes eighth who blotted his copybook with an erratic run at Sandown when evens favourite last time. Even forgiving him that it isn't difficult to look elsewhere today

Regiment- Major Cadeaux colt out of the prolific producer My First Romance who got his name on the family roll of honour when winning on second start at Catterick. Not so good the last twice though and was beaten a furlong on his last start behind Flying Bear. Impossible to recommend on the back of that performance

Stella Clavisque- A decent 2nd in France on penultimate start, he could only finish fourth as joint favourite in a Dunstall Park maiden last time. Unrealistic to think he could bounce back here

Azagal- Consistent filly, also knows how to win, who earned a rating of 95 for being beaten less than 3 lengths in the Lowther stakes. Likely that rating flatters her, the field finished in a bunch, but she gets in here off 8-4 and could go close receiving weight from all bar one of her rivals.

Toubogg Happy- Bottom weight for James Tate, who knows how to ready a juvenile better than most. Was aslo bottom weight when finishing 6th in the sales race at York last time and likely to be a similar finishing position at best for him today. Not a complete no hoper carrying 8-1 under De Sousa but still must rate an unlikely winner in a stronger field this time

Verdict- Fascinating renewal which looks as open as ever. The obvious starting point would be the strength of the Hamdan team in which all four of his could be given some sort of chance. Zaraee get the nod despite carrying 9-2 and having to improve on what he has shown so far. Wearing the black cap he is likely to be ignored by the market and may be good enough to spring a minor surprise. Of the numerous dangers his unexposed team mate Tanzeel appeals more than most, being the choice of the owners retained jockey and bringing a good level of form from his two maidens. Coulsty also deserves a mention after his effort last time and Khalice may be an outsider who outruns his odds

1 Zaraee
2 Tanzeel
3 Coulsty