Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury – Runner-By-Runner Guide by Ginger Joe

1. Rollthedicebaby (2yo f) – Richard Hannon & Sean Levey 10/1 (5 Star)

★★★★★

The shortest-priced runner of the Richard Hannon brigade, and she looks like a filly with a lot of upside. On debut, she was a strong finishing second at Goodwood over this trip, before stepping up to six furlongs at the same track and winning easily justifying odd-on favoritism. She travelled well, and when she was asked to go win her race, she did it powerfully, and looked very straightforward in the process.

2. Etienne (2yo c) – Richard Spencer & David Egan 7/1 (4 Star)

★★★★

There is plenty to like about the way Etienne shaped on his sole start, finishing second at NewWeatherbys Super Sprint betting market. He was making his debut against rivals with more experience, and although he was keen early on while held towards the rear, he showed a really smart turn of foot to make up plenty of ground and chase down the winner, only just failing to get there.

The winning distance was a short head, but a few more strides would likely have seen him get his head in front. He looked like a classy prospect that day, and there should be plenty more to come from him.

Richard Spencer has become very good at producing speedy two-year-olds, and it would be no surprise to see Etienne take a big step forward and run a huge race here. Big chance.

3. Angels Lane (2yo f) – Henry Candy & Laura Pearson 10/1 (4 Star)

★★★★

This is a very nice filly by Harry Angel, and she showed plenty of speed on her sole start to date at Chepstow. She won over this minimum trip e the way she went through the motions that day. She was out the back early, but she quickened really nicely to pull herself to the front, and she was strong all the way through the line.

It was a really taking debut, and there is every possibility that this quicker ground could bring out more improvement in her still. She has the potential to be a real classy filly, and coming out alongside Etienne in stall 16 will help her get an excellent toe into the race.

4. Bint Archange (2yo f) – Richard Hughes & William Buick 4/1 (4 Star)

★★★★

A rating of 94 makes this filly the highest rated horse in the field, and if she turns up in the same sort of form, she has to be one of the main contenders. She got off the mark at Ascot on her second start, taking a nice step forward from her debut third at NewWeatherbys Super Sprint betting market. She was then thrown into Group 2 company for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, and understandably found that a step too far finishing last of the 27 runners.

Sent off at 66/1, the result reflected her odds, but she confirmed that her early promise was no fluke when landing a Listed race at Sandown next time out. She raced prominently throughout, edged left in the closing stages, but was never really in danger of being caught.

Despite those quirks, it was clearly a career best performance, and one that can arguably be marked up given how much she did wrong. She could still have plenty more to offer, she’s well drawn, and has to be on the shortlist for this race.

5. Vollering (2yo f) – Archie Watson & Tom Marquand 9/1 (4 Star)

★★★★

Archie Watson won this race with Eddie’s Boy in 2022, before going agonizingly close again last year when Vingegaard was beaten just a neck into second. He clearly knows what it takes to win the Super Sprint, and Vollering looks to be his leading contender this time around.

The Weatherbys Super Sprint betting market certainly suggests she’s the stable’s number one hope, and her mark of 91 puts her firmly in the mix. The fact she’s been campaigned in this sort of company after just four starts is also an encouraging sign. She won on debut at Redcar before finishing fifth at Naas, then ran a close fourth in Listed company at Chantilly and backed that up with another solid third in Listed company at Deauville.

That’s a strong level of form for a race like this, and she has to be respected off her current mark. She looks to have a touch of class about her, and from stall 26, I think she makes plenty of each way appeal. Strong contender.

6. From Me To You (2yo g) – Richard Hannon & Pat Dobbs 14/1 (3 Star)

★★★

Shown glimpses of promise in his first three starts to date, but has been too flashy and keen to do himself full justice. He has shown speed and went off near the head of the Weatherbys Super Sprint betting market on debut, so better has been expected from the yard and the fact they are letting him take his chance in the Super Sprint would suggest they think a lot of him.

This is also his first start since being gelded, and perhaps that can do the trick to help this flashy sort settle a bit better. When he settles, it’s fair to assume he will show plenty more ability, but he is still a risky bet, on the basis we don’t know how he will react to being gelded, and we don’t know where that ceiling of ability is.

It’s been 20 years since a top weight won this race, and it takes a leap of faith to back him, but he clearly has ability in the locker somewhere. Outside chance for a trainer who has won this four times.

7. Sky Secret (2yo c) – Clive Cox & P J McDonald 9/1 (3 Star)

★★★

Trainer Clive Cox has previously been vocal about the Super Sprint being a race ha wants to win and this year he is represented by Sky Secret as his only runner in the race. On debut, this colt was very lit up and managed to finish fourth in a decent enough race, but he then took a nice step forward to win last time, with both runs to date coming at Leicester.

They made all with him the last day from the front as they knew he had a fair bit of ability, and that proved to be the case. He travelled well from the front, and even though he hung left in the final furlong or so, he was never getting caught and got a good ride from 5lb claimer Jack Nicholls. Personally, I think this colt needs further, but he is very unexposed at this level and may not be far away out of stall 14.

8. Bill The Bull (2yo c) – Adam Kirby & Pat Cosgrove 20/1 (3 Star)

★★★

A progressive colt who broke his maiden on his penultimate start in really smooth fashion, and he also had Holi Scarlett over four lengths back in third. On his latest effort though, he stopped quickly when sent off co favourite to beat the Weatherbys Super Sprint betting market leader of this race Bint Archange, and there was no explanation for that either.

Prior to stopping quickly, he raced prominently and led just before the furlong pole, and he definitely has ability.

However, you are taking it on trust that he immediately bounces back from that, which feels risky. This would be a huge win for Adam Kirby in his first season of training, and I think this colt can definitely run well. The draw would be a bit of a concern, though.

9. Final Appeal (2yo g) – Karl Burke & Clifford Lee 22/1 (3 Star)

★★★

One of two runners for Karl Burke, and this gelding certainly has a chance at a big price. He was turned over at short odds on debut, but took a nice step forward next time out when justifying odds-on favoritism at Wolverhampton.

His latest effort lacked any real spark as he finished fifth of seven at Chester, but he still looks like a horse with plenty of promise, and I think the return to a straight track could bring about plenty of improvement. If that sharp left-handed track was the excuse last time, then he’s certainly not one to underestimate here.

The fact Karl Burke is happy to pitch him into a race as competitive as this off the back of that run also feels like a real statement of intent. Don’t be surprised if there is a much bigger run in the gelding this time.

10. Minster Bay (2yo c) – Eve Johnson Houghton & Charles Bishop 25/1 (3 Star)

★★★

There is a lot to like about this colt who was a good fourth on debut behind an experienced improver, before finishing a desperately unlucky runner-up on his next start when sent off 2/1 favorite in an 18-runner race here at Newbury. He travelled like a really good horse all the way last time out and made a move from midfield, but had no room for quite some time.

When the room did come it was far too late, but he stayed on really well to get second. That was up at six furlongs, and even though the drop back to five furlongs may not be ideal, this is clearly a horse with a lot of ability, and shapes like a good each-way proposition here. The one concern could be the low draw.

11. Kodi Bear Light (2yo f) – Karl Burke & Jack Nicholls 14/1 (3 Star)

★★★

The shorter price of the two Karl Burke runners would suggest she is the more fancied of the two for the yard, but this filly may not be as unexposed as she first looks. The form on offer doesn’t look overly strong, and she was put in her place quite easily on her latest effort. I think it’s possible that what you see is what you get with this filly, and that may not be enough.

I’d be inclined to oppose her on this occasion.

12. Zigazig Ah (2yo f) – Richard Spencer & Saffie Osborne 20/1 (3 Star)

★★★

A nice filly who looks sure to improve with more experience. Both starts to date have come over six furlongs, and after finishing second on debut on the all-weather, she took a fair step forward to win on turf debut at Yarmouth. The drop back in trip may not be totally ideal, but this filly clearly has enough speed to contest here.

Considering the Weatherbys Super Sprint betting market shows that this filly is the second string of the stable, that may suggest how much of a big step forward they are expecting to see from Etienne, the shorter priced runner from the yard. You would be naive to look past this filly too quickly though, she is speedy enough to get involved, absolutely!

13. Call Me Tomorrow (2yo f) – Richard Hannon & Jason Watson 40/1 (2 Star)

★★

One of five runners for Richard Hannon, and while this filly has shown some ability, the bare figures suggest she needs to improve plenty to win a race like this. She runs off a mark of just 79, while her dam, who was also trained by Richard Hannon, reached a rating of 84.

There may still be some improvement to come, but she’ll need to find a fair bit to play a major role here. I can see her running respectably enough, but a midfield finish looks the most likely outcome.

14. Ballisty (2yo c) – Jack Jones & Kieran Shoemark 40/1 (2 Star)

★★

Still a maiden after four starts, but a horse very much likely to win plenty of races in the future. He is yet to finish outside of the first three, and even though a drop back in trip will be fine for him, I think this level of competition will be too much. Perhaps to see him in the winners’ enclosure, he may need a little further in trip. I’d be surprised if he was featuring here.

15. Leucothea (2yo f) – Richard Hannon & Joe Leavy 50/1 (2 Star)

★★

A filly very much bred for a race like this, but her three efforts leave her way short of standard from what I can see. She is yet to finish outside of the first three, and it is still early days for her, but she needs to take a significant step forward to win a race of this nature at this stage of her career.

Probably one for further down the line, but she is trained by Richard Hannon, so there’s a small chance!

16. Nascent Star (2yo c) – Hugo Palmer & Finley Marsh 50/1 (2 Star)

★★

Two fourth-placed efforts to start his career, and they aren’t totally without promise. However, he will still need to take a big step forward on what he has shown, if he is to get seriously involved.

That being said, it is still early days for this son of Starman, whose progeny can improve plenty for a bit of experience. It’s just his third start, and the Weatherbys Super Sprint betting market may be a guide to this colt’s chances.

17. Holi Scarlett (2yo f) – Stuart Williams & Jack Doughty 66/1 (2 Star)

★★

A nice filly who will win more races, but despite receiving plenty of weight here, she is likely to need much more. She has a few lengths to find with Bill the Bull, and that’s before she even gets competitive with horses at the top of the Weatherbys Super Sprint betting market.

Likely to find this too tough, and one to oppose in this company.

18. Seathegulls (2yo g) – Gary Moore & Rob Hornby 66/1 (1 Star)

★

Wouldn’t be the likeliest winner in this field, but he has very steadily improved in his three runs to date. He will need to improve by a bigger margin this time, and his pedigree would suggest that he will be better in time when he goes out in trip.

It would be a shock to see him come out on top here, but the Moore team would love to spring a surprise.

19. Courage Best (2yo f) – Rod Millman & George Wood 125/1 (1 Star)

★

A nicely bred filly who has shown very little in her first three starts to date. Hard to fancy on what we have seen of her, and she would come as a astounding winner based on what we know about her.

Courage Best has much weaker credentials than most in the lineup.

20. Niewadona (2yo f) – Archie Watson & Pierre-Louis Jamin 28/1 (2 Star)

★★

Looked useful when winning on debut, but didn’t enjoy York next time out, and was then out of her depth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. Hard to assess what level she is at right now, but the drop in grade will be welcomed.

She has flopped in her last two starts though, and she looks hard to back with real confidence here.

21. Cluesinthetitle (2yo f) – Richard Hannon & Josephine Gordon 150/1 (1 Star)

★

She has been disappointing in her two maidens to date, and she would have to find form out of nowhere to even get involved here. Impossible to make a case for.

22. Wait Geordie (2yo g) – Hugo Palmer & Rossa Ryan 50/1 (1 Star)

★

Taken a step back since winning at Bath on debut, and finished last of seven on his latest start in a race won by the reopposing Holi Scarlett. The winner has been beaten since, and they run off the same weight difference this time.

That leaves a lot to be desired about the chances of this gelding. He is unlikely to be good enough based on the form on offer here.

23. Past Passion (2yo f) – Jonathan Portman & Tyler Heard 66/1 (1 Star)

★

A consistent filly, but one that needs to find progression to be competitive here. She is a maiden still after four starts, she has ground to find with Holi Scarlett, and nearly five lengths to find with the favorite Bint Archange.

It’s hard to find an obvious reason why she will reverse the form, and it makes her hard to back here.

24. Seed Ya Later (2yo f) – Jack Channon & Rose Dawes 66/1 (1 Star)

★

Another filly who has form with Holi Scarlett, but this filly comes here with five lengths to find. Doesn’t seem like a horse full of class, and perhaps one for another day, because for me, this is the wrong sort of race for her.

Coming out of stall one will be tough to overcome, too. One to sidestep.

25. Holliesthedollie (2yo f) – Jonathan Portman & Olivia Tubb 100/1 (1 Star)

★

Receiving weight all round, but rightly so, because this filly has shown next to no form, and she would be a surprise contender here. No form on offer to suggest she is anywhere near up to this level.