Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star' by Dubawi (Ire).
16.15 Ascot, Listed, £50,000, 2yo, 7fT
ANCIENT WISDOM (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the key protagonist in this Listed Pat Eddery S. which his trainer Charlie Appleby has plundered in three of the last four years. Earning TDN Rising Star status on debut at Haydock, Godolphin's €2-million Arqana August sensation went to Newmarket for an easy spot last month and will have no excuses stepping up into black-type company. The son of the G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}) from the family of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) encounters some promising peers including the Sandown debut winner Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), the David Menuisier-trained full-brother to Sealiway (Fr) who has been bought into by Qatar Racing.
14.15 Newmarket, Mdn, £8,000, 2yo, 7fT
AABLAN (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the chosen of Charlie Appleby's 2-year-olds to represent Moulton Paddocks in this maiden won two years ago by the sire's Modern Games (Ire) and for the last three years. The first foal out of Promising Run (Hard Spun), a four-times Group 2 winner including the Rockfel S., he encounters King Power Racing's fellow newcomer and 375,000gns Book 1 graduate Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a member of Andrew Balding's smart-looking juvenile team from the family of the same sire and connections' G1 Champion S. fourth Fox Tal (GB).
18.45 Salisbury, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, 6fT
TASK FORCE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the 10th foal out of Juddmonte's Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy), winner of the G1 Cheveley Park S. at this trip before being promoted remarkably on two occasions from second to first by the stewards in the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Given that her best progeny so far, Elegant Verse (GB) by Frankel's sire Galileo (Ire) won her listed race over 12 furlongs on soft ground, this trip is probably a bare minimum but the fact that Ralph Beckett starts him out suggests he has shown plenty of his dam's pace at home.
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