The eye is drawn to the 6:00 Kempton - 1m Unibet/British Stallion Stud EBF Stakes (Class 2) (2yo).
By all accounts, it looks a competitive heat with a large field of juveniles, headed by Charlie Appleby's Siskany, who made a fine introduction at Sandown two-weeks ago, when finishing fifth.
If the betting is to be believed, this is a four-cornered affair with Siskany, Siam Fox, Landing System and Barn Owl in the mix.
Roger Charlton's Barn Owl is worthy of closer inspection as this son of Frankel, out of the eight-time-winning mare Thistle Bird, was well backed on debut in July at Newbury when finishing 9th of fifteen. Racing over 7f, that was a pretty hot race, although I'm sure connections were expecting more from their bay colt.
In the ownership of Nat Rothschild, this well-bred colt is stepping up to a mile and after a seventy-four day absence should be primed. In ways he has a similar profile to his half-brother, Bullfinch, similarly owned and trained, who disappointed on debut at Newbury when priced 5/1, before winning in sparkling fashion on his second start.
The mare, Thistle Bird (pictured), was a very good racehorse who raced 20 times, achieved 8 wins and unplaced on just six occasions in a career which saw her conclude a lucrative four seasons with a Group 1 success winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, racing over 1m 2f. An official rating of 116 and total prize earnings of £359,443 detail a very classy horse.
Barn Owl didn't have much go right for him on debut when racing prominently but hampered in the closing stages which put pay to any live hope of winning.
Roger Charlton will be expecting more from this March foal today and even though a competitive race, should go well and be battling for the win.
Other 2YO Frankel offspring trained by Roger Charlton include:
Quilted
Palafou
Victory Roll
Keeper
Dalma
Beheld (winner on debut)
Good luck to connections.
Thistle Bird Winning Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1)
