Embesto looks above average

Roger Varian gave the unraced Embesto (3/1) a favourable mention on page 122 of Ahead On The Flat and the son of Roaring Lion couldn't have made a better start to his career when running away with the one mile maiden at Yarmouth on Tuesday. Owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, he was unable to run last year due to an injury but looks ready to made up for lost time, if his six lengths win at the East Anglia track is anything to go by. Never too far away under David Egan, he was asked for his effort inside the final couple of furlongs before quickening clear. The yard won the same event twelve months earlier with Akhu Najla in similar fashion and that son of Kingman took his chance in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown (16th May) next time. It will be interesting to see if Embesto takes a similar route and whether he is given an entry in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.  

Fellow Newmarket trainer George Boughey sent out Wild Side (4/5) to win on the same card and the Classic winning handler is set to unleash a well regarded juvenile on the opening day of the Guineas meeting at HQ on Friday. Look out for the Highclere Thoroughbred owned Soprano, who is a daughter of Starspangledbanner and has reportedly shown plenty at home in recent weeks. The former assistant to Hugo Palmer also introduced a promising type at Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening. George spoke fondly about the unraced Howyoulikemeknow and, while the daughter of Bated Breath only finished fifth in the six furlongs fillies' maiden, she was beaten less than two lengths having been slowly away. Finishing well, she will be a different proposition next time and will be hard to beat in a similar contest. She will stay further, too.