The market favourite despite never having raced, which tells you the betting community is placing a lot of faith in reputation and breeding alone. Sired by Dubawi — one of the most consistently brilliant sires in European racing — this horse has serious pedigree behind it. Trained by Charlie Appleby, whose yard has been one of the most productive in the country this season, winning roughly 1 in 3 races together with jockey Billy Loughnane.
The only runner here with any race experience, having finished second on her debut at Yarmouth just 15 days ago — beaten less than two lengths, which is a solid starting point. That makes her unique in this field of otherwise untested debutants, and she goes into this race knowing what to expect. Also trained by Charlie Appleby, who fields two horses today, though this one is a slightly bigger price than stablemate Graceful Song.
Another first-time racer, but one from the yard of Andrew Balding, a trainer whose partnership with jockey David Probert has produced 134 wins from around 950 races together — a solid and reliable combination. Sired by Churchill, who was one of the top horses of his generation in Europe at two years old, so the breeding is respectable. At 6.5, the market rates this one more positively than most of the other debutants.
The other horse in this field with a run under her belt, but it was a harder day — fifth at Newmarket four weeks ago, beaten 16 lengths. That performance puts her at a disadvantage compared to stablemate Gracious Gift, whose debut second place looks far more encouraging. At 41/1, the market is not expecting much of an improvement.
A first-time racer from David Simcock's yard, priced at 26/1, which places her among the more overlooked debutants in this field. Sired by Too Darn Hot, who was unbeaten as a two-year-old and a multiple top-level winner in Britain — so there is class in the bloodlines. Beyond that, there is simply nothing to judge this horse on yet.
A complete unknown — this horse has never raced before and arrives with no form whatsoever to assess. Of the five debutants in this field, Foxsbrush is one of the longest prices at 51/1, suggesting the market has little confidence here. Honest answer: there is almost nothing to go on.
The longest price in the race at 67/1 and making her racecourse debut, with jockey Josephine Gordon and trainer William Stone working together for the first time — an unusual combination that adds to the uncertainty. Sired by Mohaather, a gifted but short-lived miler who has made a promising start at stud. With no race experience and an unfamiliar team pairing, this one is very much a blank slate.
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.