Around The Tracks: A tip for each meeting on Sunday 9 September
Timeform provide a selection for each of the seven meetings due to take place in Britain and Ireland on Sunday.
This looks a competitive renewal of the Sirenia Stakes but it is the once-raced Eben Shaddad that makes plenty of appeal. His sales price rose to €190,000 at the breeze-ups earlier this year and he produced a visually impressive winning debut at Newmarket a fortnight ago, travelling fluently and still having plenty in hand at the line even though he hung to his left when in front. The bare form isn't anything special but the timefigure stands up well and he is open to any amount of improvement now, while it is interesting connections pitch him into pattern company so soon.
Botanical was only narrowly touched off on his debut by a now-useful rival and he built on that promise in no uncertain terms when bolting up at Hamilton in July. He lost little in defeat when runner-up to one who is bound for pattern company at Kempton last time, leaving the impression that a mile will be a bare minimum trip for him. The handicapper may have underestimated his form with an opening mark of 87 and, now moving up in trip on handicap debut, he should prove a tough nut to crack.
Buckaroo developed into a smart colt last season, going down only narrowly in the Ballysax Stakes over a mile and a quarter here on his reappearance before bolting up in a Curragh listed race back at a mile. The style of that smooth four-length success resulted in Buckaroo being sent off second favourite for the Irish 2000 Guineas but he disappointed at the Curragh and then met with a serious setback that kept him off the track for the remainder of the campaign. He proved better than ever when winning over this course and distance on his reappearance in April, though, and he has run to a similar level the last twice to hit the frame in the Prix d'Ispahan and Wolferton Stakes, enhancing his reputation as a smart, reliable and versatile performer. He boasts the best form on offer and, over a track and trip that suits, will take the beating.
Max of Stars didn't manage to win a race on the Flat, but she has made a good start over hurdles, building on the promise of her debut to land back-to-back juvenile events at Newton Abbot in June and July. She acquitted herself well on handicap debut at Bangor last month, too, not at all discredited taking on her elders for the first time and beaten only by another fellow improver. The pair pulled clear of the remainder and the third has franked the form by winning since, so she seems sure to launch another bold bid from 5 lb higher.
Macduff made a promising start to his career when winning what is usually always an informative maiden on his debut at Newmarket last month, strong in the betting and looking in good shape beforehand. He overcame inexperience to do so, too, showing clear signs of greenness when initially coming under pressure but responding well once the penny began to drop, really rattling home in the closing stages. Macduff is the sort who will make above-average improvement and he is a horse to be positive about now moving into listed company and upped to a mile.
Origintrail was a two-time winner last season and he has been threatening to come good of late, narrowly beaten over five furlongs at Ripon two starts back and running to a similar level when filling the same position upped to six furlongs at the same course last time. He didn't get the rub of the green on that occasion, making headway when denied a run under two furlongs out and keeping on when again hampered soon after. This will be her first start at seven furlongs but she shapes as though it will suit and there is also hope on pedigree, so she is worth persevering with.
A Dublin Lad cost 300,000 guineas as a yearling and ran a race full of promise in a back-end maiden at Newmarket last season. He was well backed on his return from nine months off at Sandown in June but could only run to a similar level, leaving the impression that he was still in need of the experience, while not proving as suited to the longer trip as expected. This extended mile should be perfect for him and, though he seemingly isn't the easiest to train, he remains with plenty of potential and could hardly be in better hands. This looks a good opportunity.
