Superlative Stakes 2012

2.10 Newmarket

32Red.com Superlative Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £34,026

Advice: No bet.

Artigiano: Overcame large amount of greenness when staying on late into third at York in above average looking maiden and better when winning Lesicter maiden easily and then running on late when fifth in Coventry; Step up to this distance should really suit if coping with the ground then should play a hand although ground to make up on second Olympic Glory.

Birdman: Impressive winner at Chepstow (heavy ground) after his easy win in Brighton maiden (promising 3^rd before over Rowley Mile here); Deserves respect stepping up in class but others preferred and this seems a far harder task.

Glory Awaits: Much improved form when getting up by a nose at Haydock maiden (had Luahif third who has improved since) but this demands more and little to recommend after his low draw.

London Ctizen: Drew right away when landing 6f maiden at Kempton on debut, but couldn’t cope with the rise in class when last of four to Maxientus in 7f Doncaster novice event and shouldn’t be reversing that form. 

Luhaif: Switch to front running tactics when making all for 6 length maiden win over C&D on good to firm; That a respectable performance but this a much harder race, ground different there to be shot at so others appeal more.

Maxientus: Easy winner of 6f Folkestone maiden after being well backed beforehand but even more impressive when beating three winners in Doncaster novice event last time, having waited for a run until late but still winning with ease; This a steep step up in grade but well worth it and has to be taken seriously.

Ocean Applause: Seventh in Norfolk following two runs that had hinted at a good amount of ability at the least, but only third in Yarmouth maiden recently and not hinted at being a group horse.

Olympic Glory: Well backed, travelled with consummate ease and never in any danger of being beaten when hacking up on debut at Goodwood and then followed that up with strong late finish at Ascot in Coventry; Sure to be right here and step up to 7f looks to be a help for him, so has to be favoured today.

Operation Chariot: With third being well beaten on his debut and fourth being well held on his only run since, the form of his 4 runner 7f sandown maiden has taken some knocks, although that did come on soft ground and he was an easy winner; Hard to weight up, opposable on balance.

VERDICT: The first acid test for the Coventry form with OLYMPIC GLORY and Artigiano representing the form of what looked a very strong renewal beforehand. While it’s likely that they’ll have to go some to beat Maxientus, who was so impressive on his last start at Doncaster, Richard Hannon’s charge looked extremely promising on debut and even more so at Ascot. This isn’t a betting race with the ground as it is but he’s got a first rate chance if settling (the trip should be fine) and handling the ground. Operation Chariot has at least won on soft ground, and would not be a surprise.