Usually I avoid maidens like sprouts – but I’ve to make an exception here. The favourite Akeed Champion showed clearly promise last season and may well develop into a nice horse now as a three year old. The Fahey yard goes extremely well and for that simple reason you’d assume Akeed Champion is fit and well. But his two year old form is nothing out of the ordinary and the fact that he beaten a short favourite on his second start means he could be vulnerable today.

The Godolphin newcomer Gossiping is an interesting individual, considering his fine pedigree and the strong form of the yard. The Richard Hannon trained Acaster Malbis has experience on his side but appears exposed.

Interestingly, beside the favourite, only Charlie Hills’ inmate Hakam has a future big race entry (2.000 Guineas). The War Front son cost almost half a million US$ as a yearling and he’s obviously well bred and related to some fine horses. What I particularly like is the fitness edge. He started his campaign in a Lingfield maiden last month, when he finished 2nd, beaten in a photo and showed loads of greenness.

Hakam looks a big, strong individual with plenty of scope and should have learned plenty from his debut. The switch to turf should be no problem, nor the good ground. Since he is related to some fine turf horses, one would think he may turn out to be nice horse. If he’s a Guineas horse is another question, but on balance I feel he is overpriced in this field, where not too many horses make much appeal.

1.45 Newmarket: Hakam @ 7/2 Bet365 – 5pts win