Betfair Molecomb Stakes 2010 - Glorious Goodwood

4.00 Glorious Goodwood
Betfair Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner £34,062

Pick: Zebedee

Avonmore Star: Second win over 6f when having little difficulty landing the odds last time at Salisbury, doing it in good style; Speedy enough for this and Moore booked, but more might be needed to win; Solid place shout.

Choose Wisely: Made progress to land his first win when knuckling down well to land Carlisle maiden, and probably improved on that when fifth in a listed race in France next time, but this harder on face of things.

Leiba Leiba: Managed to knock in 2 in 18 days when winning cosily at Chester, but was out battled by the exposed Scarlet Rocks last time out, which doesn’t look like Group race winning form.

Lord Of The Stars: Impressed when winning decent maiden first time up over 6f at Newmarket July Course and achieved more when coming second to Casual Glimpse (ahead of Coventry third Roayh); Could well make a mark here.

Manson: Barely off bridle when taking care of modest rivals to open account over 5f last time; No telling how good he could be, and yard/jockey in form.

Stone Of Folca: Always been highly regarded from stable that has good record with this type, and showed promise when twice occupying fourth place within the space of 3 days at Royal Ascot in June; Should take all the beating again.

Zebedee: Looked like a class colt when bolting up on first 2 runs; me up short in Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, but was up in firing line all the way and may have suffered from not getting enough cover; readily landing 5f listed event at Sandown recently and can take a major hand.

Bold Bidder: Speedy precious 5f type who recorded back-to-back wins over 5f of late at Carlisle and Musselburgh; Another step in the right direction when second of 24 in Super Sprint, but might need more to take a hand here.

Primo Lady: Easily won maiden at Lingfield in March and listed event at York in May, bolting up on latter occasion; Could have been forgiven her ninth in Queen Mary, but not her one paced fourth last time.

Scarlet Rocks: No signs of tough schedule taking toll when making all and gutsily keeping Leiba Leiba at bay over 5f; Seriously admirable but doesn’t look Group class on all evidence, and may bomb anytime since.

Serena’s Pride: Showed promise on first 3 starts, winning 6f Lingfield maiden in easy style before running fourth in Group 2 Queen Mary; Form of that race poor for a Group 2 and was exposed when sixth behind Soraaya and Memory in July Festival; Did even worse last week in Princess Margret.

Style And Panache: Generally struggled in stronger company since landing 5f Ffos Las maiden in May; Looks hard task here as well.

VERDICT: Stone Of Folca is described by John Best as the “fastest horse he’s ever trained”, which says a lot about how good he could be. While ZEBDEE was behind him in the Norfolk Stakes, he didn’t get enough cover and can do better here for the all-conquering Richard Hannon/Hughes team.