bet365.com E.B.F. Montrose Fillies' Stakes 2010

3.10 Newmarket
bet365.com E.B.F. Montrose Fillies' Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner £14,192

Picks: Blue Bunting (win), Nabah (each/way)

Aneeedah: Fourth in valuable sales race over 7f on just her second career start, an impressive effort considering as she was a maiden; Didn’t have to work to win Yarmouth maiden last time out and smart prospect who comes here as the one to beat.

Blue Bunting: Shaped really well when runner-up on debut on the July Course here behind Theyskens Theory of all horses, who has gone on to win a Group 3 and come third in the Fillies’ Mile; Pulled clear with a subsequent winner when going one better following month, so must be high on list.

Elas Diamond: Confirmed the promise of her debut second over C&D when a wide-margin winner at Nottingham 16 days ago; Step up in trip should bring about better run from her and one to keep in mind.

Face Reality: Impressive on debut in face of market drift at Newbury and shaped nicely at same track in listed event last month, pulling too hard before sticking to task well; Will need to settle much better to satay this trip but better than she showed last time.

Isolate: Has shown marked progression in each of 3 maidens coming unplaced, fifth, and was always in command over 7f at Leicester 25 days ago; Bare form not good enough and does look exposed.

Matula: Justified strong support in ready fashion on debut at Ffos Las over this trip last month (ahead of Pursuing); Needs to improve but sure fire bet to do so and not discounted.

Mystic Winds: Found an easier opening than most when getting better of odds on fav at Newcastle (heavy ground); Will improve but needs to do so, and while booking of Fallon is interesting she’s left along today.

Nabah: Made giant step forward for debut when coming fourth behind Cape Dollar, Cochabamba and I Love Me in Rockfel Stakes; Shaped as if 1 mile would suit on that occasion and possible improver again.

Parvana: Made highly promising start when third on debut in 7f Newbury minor event last month; Will up her game and most dangerous of the maidens in this race, although the previous winners look tough to beat.
Pursuing: Sure to benefit from easy introduction on heavy ground at Newcastle (behind Mystic Winds) and while she will improve past that rival, surprise to see her win as the first time out winners look very useful.

Whey Sauce: Another who needed the debut when fourth (made eye-catching headway 3 furlongs from home); Asking lot of her to go trouble the principles, even though she should improve.

Whisper Louise: Only once out of the first 3 in 8 starts, progressing to win maiden at Windsor in July and nursery at Doncaster; Might not stay and exposed in any case.

VERDICT: Hard to get some firm conclusions with so many unexposed types in attendance. The first time out/previous winners are taken over the maidens at this point, although Parvana is obviously going to improve a lot for a good introduction. Aneedah sets a good standard, while Elas Diamond is well up to this level, but BLUE BUNTING was unlucky to bump into a group class horse in Theyskens Theory on debut and has plenty of rom to improve on an impressive win since. NABAH is still a maiden but ran the best race from any of this field when fourth in the Rockfel, and is worth an each/way punt. Tale Untold also deserves a good mention.