Winkfield Stakes 2010

2.05 Ascot
Jaguar XK Winkfield Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner £14,192

Pick: Toolain (win)

Auld Burns: Comfortably on top when beating next time out winner Waiter's Dream in June; Coming from top juvenile yard, who are in some form so should go well.

Deep South: Created good impression when winning 13-runner maiden at Kempton on debut by 3¾ lengths, quickening smartly and doing job easily; Long way clear and seems sure to improve but that race not been working out well.

Drawing Board: Successful first 2 starts and lost out only by a neck to Premier Clarets at Pontefract last time; On 2lbs better terms this time, although is a very speedy sort and will need to last this trip fully.

Galtymore Lad: Progressed to win 5f Beverley maiden and 6f minor event at Pontefract in May, before probably bettering both when ninth in Coventry Stakes at Royal meet; That form supposedly gives him big chance dropping back, but poor form of that event tempers enthusiasm.

Planet Waves: Failed to build on impressive second time up win in Coventry Stakes and pulled hard and raced awkwardly under pressure when fifth last time; This harder than that race.

Premier Clarets: A real trier who has run well on all runs, running into a good sort on debut getting job done in good style on his next start, before running well in defeat in listed company; Showed guts to beat Drawing Board (closely matched) and should be there or thereabouts.

Sonoran Stands: Only has 1 win out of 5, scoring by 9 lengths on debut at Brighton; well held in listed race at Newbury 8 days ago, so likely to struggle.

Toolain: Was set for perfect start in 7f maiden at Sandown when veering left and unseating inside final 1f (fortunate winner second in Superlative Stakes); Had confidence booster next time out but surely holds a big chance on his debut form; May be the one to beat in close looking affair.

VERDICT: A tight looking race where a case can be made for most of the runners. The one that has the strongest single form claim is TOOLAIN, was set to beat the useful Ecliptic when unseating near the finish on his debut (pair miles clear),and he can get the better of the uuseful looking Auld Burns and speedy Galtymore Lad.