Basateen holds all the aces in Acomb Stakes

Basateen looked potentially top notch when bolting up last time out and can take the step up into Group company in his stride in the Acomb Stakes at York today (2.30).

The Richard Hannon trained colt shaped with bags of promise when third on debut at Newmarket in a race which has thrown up a whole host of subsequent winners, and then showed the benefit of that experience when winning Doncaster maiden by eight lengths.

The son of Teofilo led two out in the latter before showing a smart change of gear to forge clear and win easing down in a good time.
It was a performance which marked Basateen out as well above average and a possible contender for classic honours next year, and with the prospect of plenty more improvement to come he can take this before going on to much better things.

The obvious danger of Bastaeen is Irish raider Jamaica who represents the powerful Aidan O’Brien stable.

The beautifully bred son of Galileo looked in need of the run when an eye-catching third to highly regarded stable companion Gleneagles on debut at the Curragh, and then had little difficulty justifying odds of 4/9 when beating Postulation by 3 1/4 lengths at the Galway Festival.

There was plenty to like about the way Jamaica went about his business that day despite still looking green, and he looks looks the type who will improve with every race and has plenty more to offer.

If you don’t agree with me, and think Jamaica is the one to be on, Coral are offering a special priced “daily double” of 7/1 about him and stable companion Australia (International Stakes 3.40) both doing the business.

Away from the front two in the betting, the well-regarded Toocoolforschool could well belie his huge odds and make the frame for each-way backers.

The Karl Burke trained gelding has only had two starts, and impressed on the second of those when making all to win a 6f maiden at Ripon.

The son of Showcasing won with far more in hand than the 1 1/4 length winning margin suggest, running green and scoring with his ears pricked.

Toocoolforschool looks sure to apprecaite the step up to 7f, and should not be underestimated for the team that know the time of day and don’t go tilting at windmills.