Experience could be crucial as juveniles clash in Listed Marygate Stakes

Langleys Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 2yo | RTV/ITV4

The main deliberation when analysing and punting in a two-year-old contest at this time of year is how much of an advantage you give a juvenile with more experience.

Racing progresses the mind and body of a young horse, there is no doubt about that. And with four of the last five Marygate winners scoring here on their third outing, it could pay to focus on those with that added maturity edge.

The William Haggas-trained Canonized and recent Leicester winner Bellarena Lady sit towards the top of that shortlist. The former looks an out-and-out two-year-old given her lack of size and was described as a 'real speedy pocket rocket' by rider Tom Marquand after her Goodwood win two weeks ago.

Bellarena Lady finished seven places ahead of Canonized on debut at Newmarket and seemed to only find her stride in the final furlong. She still showed signs of greenness next time (changed her legs on several occasions) but quickened clear when asked by Hollie Doyle and is open to further improvement. There is a strong likelihood that she will confirm the form with her market rival.

Sixth in that race was Nymphadora, who will look to emulate last year's Marygate winner Sardinia Sunset by plundering this prize as a maiden. This track should suit the daughter of No Nay Never and maybe she can produce a magical performance.

David Evans, who won this race with Good Vibes in 2019, is represented by Fabiosa, another filly with a small stature but significant turn of foot. The booking of James Doyle (just ten rides for the yard in the last five years) appears to be a pointer.

Those with less experience include Crazyland, who appeared to be a in different league to fourth-home Fabiosa when she won on debut at Windsor. Her lofty reputation saw her sent off the short-priced favourite that day. Will the money come again?
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Crazyland bids to extend perfect start

Clive Cox hit the ground running with his two-year-olds this season and believes Crazyland has a good chance of continuing his excellent record.

The trainer, who landed the Victoria Cup at Ascot on Saturday, had four juvenile winners from eight runners before racing on Thursday, including Crazyland, who scored on his debut at Windsor last month.

"She won well at Windsor and the form has been franked well with Sienna Bonnie winning at Bath," said the trainer. "It's a race we've won before and its an opportunity to step her up in grade. Hopefully she can continue to improve but we wouldn't want too much rain."

Crazyland: impressive on her debut at Windsor last time outCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cox won a number of big juvenile contests last season, including the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, and added on his positive start to the year: "The two-year-olds especially have been running well. We believe Crazyland is a nice filly so hopefully she can add to our tally."

What they say

Ed Dunlop, trainer of Bellarena Lady
She ran well when second on her first start at Newmarket and won well at Leicester last time. It's a big step up in class and she'll need to improve. If the ground becomes too soft she might not run.

William Haggas, trainer of Canonized
She's entitled to have a go. She did it nicely at Goodwood last time but she's got a bit to find with the horses that ran at Newmarket.

David Evans, trainer of Fabiosa
She would handle ground that slows the others down a bit and she might want a longer trip. She won well at Nottingham last time and deserves to take her chance.

David Evans: won the Marygate with Good Vibes in 2019 and saddles Fabiosa this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bryan Smart, trainer of Instinction
She did it the hard way when narrowly winning from a wide draw at Redcar. She moves well so I wouldn't want the ground to go too soft.

David O'Meara, trainer of May Blossom
She's a filly we like. She was entitled to need her first run and she improved at Pontefract, where the first two pulled nicely clear, and she could take another step forward.

Jonathan Portman, trainer of Sienna Bonnie
We were delighted with her win at Bath but she will likely be taking on some nicer types at York. Soft ground might not play to her strengths but I felt she deserved a shot at some early black type.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

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