Molecomb Stakes 2012

3.45 Goodwood

bet365 Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £22,684

Advice: No bet, strongly consider Hototo and Dylanbaru as value at their prices

Bungleinthejungle: Looked useful when taking small event at Beverley in good style last month and been beaten since although that in good company; Looks held by Hototo and Dylanbaru on recent Windsor Castle form.

Dominate: Went clear with promising maiden winner on debut at Windsor and did the job dropped in trip when running out a ready winner on soft ground at Sandown; Needs more on both efforts but respected here; On good ground for the first time.

Dylanburu: Disappointment when last of third at Tipperary but witch to good ground partly responsible for second and third in 5f listed races the past twice;

Hototo: Was the gustiest of those who came up middle of course when landing Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot and while only sixth in Super Sprint next time out, heavy ground stopped his chances; Expect better from him on a better surface.

Lyric Ace: Disappointed stepped up in class the last twice, only midfield at Royal Ascot after two impressive wins and then a laboured seventh in the Super Sprint last time; Better ground will help him and potentially notable that he’s the choice of Hughes but others more progressive.

Morawij: Supported into favourite for Haydock debut (produced two subsequent winners) when he got up showing marked greenness; Tons of scope in Norlfolk when carried across his side but still fourth, and easy listed win suggests more to come.

Bridge Night: Lost the race inside the first furlong when being hampered badly and then pulling race away in Listed contest at Newmarket; Can do better but others make more appeal.

Jadanna: Bettered the form of her Queen Mary fifth when third in Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket last time, a promising effort; That form gives her a chance here and respected.

Lady Ibrox: Made all in small 5f event at Chester, showing bundles of pace to get to the front and stay there; Likely that an even greater test of pace will suit but doesn’t look good enough in the slightest and others make much more appeal.

Sand And Deliver: Showed bright speed all 3 starts but nothing more and others simply better.

VERDICT: A tricky contest with the juveniles sure to go flat out from the start, so the early part of the race could be crucial in allowing the class edge. Morajwij is the best of them on Norfolk form, which has to be respected (it looked stronger than the Windsor Castle this year), but he’s a short favourite who the bookies are sure to get and HOTOTO may well have been overlooked at 11/2 unfairly based on the heavy ground blunting his speed in the Super Sprint last time. Back on good ground – the surface with which he beat the July Stakes winner at Ascot – he could take the beating at a price like this, and the same goes for Dylanburu, while Jadanna is resected although this might be yet tougher still then the Cherry Hinton.