'He ran a great race at York and is improving' - sales race quotes and insight

Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (Class 2) | 6½f | 2yo | ITV3/Sky

Two horses stand out in this sales race and the market has found them – Group 1-entered pair Cold Case and Magical Sunset. Both arrive with differing profiles but similarly appealing claims.

Cold Case ran third to Noble Style and Marshman in the Gimcrack in August and brings a lofty official rating of 103 to the table. The fact he has more experience than the other standard setters and handles an ease in the ground is also an advantage.

The Mill Reef was mooted as Cold Case's next target after the Gimcrack and the decision to run here could pay dividends.

By contrast, Magical Sunset is a once-raced maiden winner who recorded an impressive Racing Post Rating of 91 when successful on her debut at Windsor last month.

She pulled nearly five lengths clear with well-fancied debutant Sakheer that day and the second showed the strength of that form by bolting up by six lengths at Haydock next time.

Sakheer features prominently in the Middle Park ante-post betting and the Cheveley Park could be on Magical Sunset’s agenda down the line. She is exciting.

Higher-drawn numbers used to hold sway in this but in recent times those drawn low have largely seized the initiative. The two who head the betting are drawn in 7 (Cold Case) and 11 (Magical Sunset), and a case can be made for Holguin at a much bigger price from stall one.

Holguin represents Andrew Balding, who has captured two of the last three runnings, and can be excused for his down-the-field finish in the Coventry Stakes on quick ground.

This is a drop in class and he managed to serve it up to Persian Force for a long way in a conditions race at Newbury on his previous run.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Laugh all over again

Andrea Atzeni and his retaining owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum are out to turn the clock back to 2017 in today’s race which is when they combined to win with the Roger Varian-trained Laugh A Minute.

That winner came straight from the Ebor meeting at York and five years on they are following the same path with Cold Case, who is the third most expensive purchase in the 15-runner line-up at 160,000 guineas.

A winner at York in June, the Karl Burke runner has been placed in his other three starts, most recently when posting a career-best third to Noble Style in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes.

The son of Showcasing handles cut in the ground, so should be well set if they get any more rain at Town Moor and Atzeni is positive about his chances.

He said: "Cold Case ran a great race at York, which was much his best run, and he seems to be improving. We could have gone for something bigger but this trip seems right for him and it's nice prize-money. I'm looking forward to getting back on him."

What they say

Tom Marquand, rider of Alpha Capture
He stepped forward from his first run when scoring at Carlisle the other day when there was a bit of cut in the ground, so he should handle conditions. He has the speed for six and a half furlongs and hopefully he can be in the mix.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Pjanoo and Waiting All Night
I expect both of them to handle the ground and be in the shake-up, despite their odds. Waiting All Night is rated 96 and has a low weight but is 14-1 for some reason. We've always held Pjanoo in high regard and hopefully both of them can bag some prize-money.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Swift Asset and Hectic
Swift Asset deserves to take his chance and hopefully should pick up some cash, as could Hectic, who drops in class and trip after his run in the Acomb Stakes at York last time.

Emily Scott, racing manager to Amo Racing, owners of Magical Sunset
She won despite being green on her debut at Windsor when she beat a horse [Sakheer] who came with a big reputation and subsequently scored easily next time. That fills us with confidence and she's a filly we've always liked. She has some nice entries and we expect her to get further, but this looks the right trip for her just now.

Clive Cox, trainer of Eminency
His form is working out nicely and this is the prize we've been kicking towards but I would be a bit concerned if they get any more rain as he wants it quick.
Reporting by David Milnes

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets