FIRST IN LINE 3.30 Doncaster at 10/11

Unison Supporting Your Community Novice Stakes (Class 5) (3yo+) 1m2f43y

Pedigree: Seventh foal; brother to 1m4f winner Dawn Horizons (RPR 94), half-brother to three winners inc Our Obsession (1m-1m4f inc 2yo/Listed; 108); dam 11.3f Listed winner (107); half-sister to 1m Gr 1 winner Rebecca Sharp and to dam of Golden Horn

Trainer Form: 12-34 for 35%  (10)
RPR: 79                       (9)                                     
Optimum Ground: Good to soft (10)
Optimum Distance: 1m2f       (10)
Jockey: Kieran O'Neill       (10)

The Racing Horse Composite:  (49)

Main danger: Jomrok 5/2

RACE TYPE: 3yo winning favourites in non-handicaps:
53-120 for 44% (+0.34)

Bright future

First In Line confirmed the promise that he displayed on debut by winning a competitive contest at Lingfield on his next start. The son of New Approach has a bright future based on that evidence and he should take plenty of beating, despite having to carry a 7lb penalty.

Potential

The race at Lingfield was interesting from many angles. Frankie Dettori half-missed the start from stall 1, then he found a nice sit behind the leaders but then after travelled so wide for the rest of the race it looked as if they wanted the stablemate to win. It looked bizarre as the colt had so much ground to make up on straightening up. He took a while to hit top gear but he picked up late very impressively and actually won snugly in the end. He's obviously a work in progress and is going to be suited by going up in distance or a more galloping track and he gets that today. The ground will be more testing and the breeding suggests good to soft will suit best. He has the potential to be very good.

Of his rivals

Jomrok is an obvious threat having hit the crossbar in both previous appearances, with Wise Ruler and Double Esprit others to consider.

Timeform 

FIRST IN LINE confirmed the promise of his debut effort when getting off the mark at Lingfield in June, that despite not looking suited by the nature of the all-weather track. He's fancied to improve further and earns the vote in the hope conditions don't inconvenience him. Jomrok and Wise Ruler are feared most, in that order.

Value

The 10/11 looks perceived value with the in form Owen Burrows horse to beat receiving weight, but we doubt our Pacafi will be beaten because of weight. First In Line looks an 8/11 winner to us.

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Other

A poor start for the the month with our Pacafi. Our first bet had the look of a horse who is not interested in the game, we apologise if he has a niggle that has not been discovered yet, but then a horror ride by Shane Foley. He rode The King like a millionaire. He never asked or put the horse into the race and in a 7-runner field asked his mount to race four and five wide throughout the race. What was that about? Ultimately he was beaten 2l but must have covered an extra 20 to 30l whilst giving his rivals first run and a free start.

Now, it looks as though we have backed two consecutive disappointing horses in a row but had Foley rode a race like that in the US or Australia he would be in front of the stewards and he would be booed back into the paddock!

Suffice it to say he goes onto our 'Negative A List' and we will not get involved with him again. Despite the above I own and totally accept responsibility for the losing bet but this one hurt!

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