Molecomb Stakes 2013

2.35 Goodwood

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

Winner £28,355

Advice: 1 pt win Reroute (9/2 general)

Ambience: Fourth in the Norfolk Stakes after promising maiden win on second start (debut a write off) and then a Listed winner of Dragon Stakes in smooth style (meets the third on better terms); But well behind in French Group 2 and a length behind Anticipated there when in sixth; Others preferred.

Anticipated: Mere quarter of a length behind Supplicant in Bunch finish to the Windsor Castle stakes and while he was only fifth in Prix Robert Papin, this seems a little easier and drop in trip of half a furlong could suit plenty so will go close.

Brown Sugar: Pulled his chance away in Newmarket Group 2, third of all three runs over 6f; Had previously built on debut promise when winning Newmarket maiden well (30-100 favourite); Far more needed here but step down in trip could help and if settling, better to be seen from him.

Meritocracy: Needs to improve a lot from his midfield finish in Super Sprint to get properly involved here and far more exposed than many here.

Sleeper King: Got the better of Justice Day on second start at Musselburgh in June before creditable run in Windsor Castle at Ascot when eighth, but that gives him a lot of ground to be making up to get involved here.

Supplicant: Followed winning debut in the spring and then minor third at Beverley with close second in Windsor Castle, a giant step up from what he had done previously; If able to improve or repeat that form, then will take some beating given that’s amongst the best form in the field.

Majestic Alexander: Half-brother Majestic Missile won this in 2003 but doesn’t look as useful and behind Ambiance on better terms at Sandown latest; That gives her ground to be making up.

Reroute: Beat the drift to make an impressive winning debut at York, and she ran a solid race in the Queen Mary five days later when fifth on just her second start; Likely that she’s got more to give and can go close here at the least.

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VERDICT: Supplicant and Anticipated are likely to be closely matched and well involved once again but REROUTE’S Queen Mary effort on just her second start was a big one and she may have come forward again since, which would give her a solid chance here after a taking debut win despite a big drift.