Despite being the market favourite, Agrippa's only run ended in fifth place — beaten by one and a half lengths at Doncaster — so there is very little evidence to justify that position at the top of the market. The trainer Richard Hannon sends out winners at a high volume and clearly rates this horse, which may explain the confidence. The odds have still drifted sharply from their opening price, which muddies the picture further.
Lightly raced (1 career races)Market favourite (4.8)
Untouchable is another first-time racer, but by Too Darn Hot — a sire who excelled as a two-year-old himself and tends to pass on speed and early maturity — which is exactly what you want for a six-furlong debut on dry ground. Stall 4 is a decent low draw, and at 8-1 it is the best-priced of all the debutants in the field. With no form to judge it against, it is a leap of faith, but the breeding and price make it one of the more compelling unknowns here.
The only horse in this field that has already won a race, Satellite Of Love went to Windsor 56 days ago and came back with a victory first time out — a clean, confident debut. However, the odds have drifted dramatically from a very short opening price, which suggests the market has cooled significantly on its chances here. Worth watching, but the betting movement is a flag.
Can't Stop is one of only three horses in this race with any racing experience, and it used that debut run to finish second — a solid introduction that puts it ahead of most of its rivals here on form. It also draws stall 2, one of the lowest and most favourable in the field. At 6.2, it is reasonably priced given it already knows what racing feels like, which counts for something in a field full of complete unknowns.
Sayid Harry Angel makes its debut from stall 10 — the widest draw in the field and, based on historical data at this course, the least favourable position of any runner today. His sire Harry Angel was an elite sprinter, so the speed is in the blood for this six-furlong test, and top jockey William Buick takes the ride, which signals some confidence from the camp. The wide draw is a genuine disadvantage though, and that alone makes this harder to recommend.
Rapid Deployment has one run to its name — a seventh-place finish, beaten over eleven lengths at Lingfield — and today's dry ground is conditions it has never encountered before, having only raced on a different surface. That combination of poor early form and an unknown reaction to today's conditions makes this a hard horse to back with confidence. Ralph Beckett is a trainer worth respecting, but the horse has a lot to prove.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (1 career races)
First Mate is one of two debutants trained by Eve Johnson Houghton in this race, and jockey Charles Bishop has an established relationship with the yard, winning roughly 1 in 8 races together. By Naval Crown out of an Oasis Dream mare, the breeding points to a horse that could handle fast, dry ground and a sharp six furlongs. No form to assess, but the jockey-trainer combination has genuine substance behind it.
Another first-time racer, California School is trained by Roger Varian, one of the most respected handlers in British flat racing, and draws stall 1 — statistically the best position at this course and distance. By Starspangledbanner out of an Invincible Spirit mare, the speed pedigree is there for a six-furlong dash. No form to judge, but the draw and trainer combination makes this one of the more interesting debutants in the field.
Baddaddan has never raced before, so there is genuinely nothing to go on beyond breeding — by Mehmas out of a Kodiac mare, both known for producing fast, early-developing horses suited to short distances like this. It holds the most favourable draw in the field at stall 3, which gives it a small statistical edge on a track where low-numbered draws perform best. At 26-1, it is a long shot, but the breeding profile fits the race.
Chief Minister is making its racecourse debut with no form to speak of, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, who also saddles First Mate in this same race. The dam is by Kingman, a sire known for producing horses that tend to improve over time rather than burst out of the gates first time — which makes a debut win a bigger ask. At 34-1, the market is not expecting much, and on the available evidence, that looks about right.
How do odds work?The first number is what you win, the second is what you bet. So 5/2 means you win £5 for every £2. 4/1 means you win £4 for every £1. The bigger the first number, the less likely bookmakers think the horse will win — but the more you'd win if it does.