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. Friday's Observations features Tattersalls Craven Breeze up co-topper Vandeek (Havana Grey).
14:15 Nottingham, Mdn, £6,850, 2yo, 6f 18yT
VANDEEK (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) emerges a touch later than would have been expected from a colt who at 625,000gns was the joint sale topper at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up. Simon and Ed Crisford introduce KHK Racing Ltd's grey from the family of the sires Anabaa and Key Of Luck against last month's Newmarket runner-up Never So Brave (Ire) (No Nay Never), a Saeed Suhail-Sir Michael Stoute project who was close enough to TDN Rising Star Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) to suggest he has ability.
14.25 Newbury, Novice, £12,000, 2yo, 7fT
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (IRE) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a 600,000gns Book 1 graduate, is introduced by Andrew Balding for Qatar Racing in the maiden the stable won 12 months ago with Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and which saw Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) prevail the year previously. A son of the G2 May Hill S. scorer and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and half-brother to last month's G3 Jersey S. winner Age Of Kings (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), he has it to do to match up to the Westerberg colour-bearer Maximum Dividend (Ire) (American Pharoah), a Richard Hannon-trained son of the G3 Give Thanks S. winner Sizzling (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was such a promising nose second to Juddmonte's Starlore (GB) (Kingman {GB}) at Sandown a fortnight ago.
HOW THEY FARED
18.20 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 8fT
Andromeda (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the full-sister to the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Peaceful (Ire), put up a debut full of promise in second.
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