Timeform Notebook: Winsili money on Gosdens filly

John Gosden is the trainer of Winsili.
Timeform highlight a trio of two-year-olds who caught the eye during the past week...
Having bemoaned the lack of quality that was on offer last weekend, Saturday saw a welcome change as there were plenty of potentially useful prospects on display. However, despite the weekend almost monopolising the high-class action, arguably the best prospect for the future could be seen at Goodwood last Tuesday, as Liber Nauticus made a winning racecourse bow, creating a hugely positive impression in the process. Sir Michael Stoute's two-year-old fully justified the support which saw her sent off as joint-favourite, finishing strongly to win a shade cosily having been off the bridle at an early stage. Liber Nauticus appeals as the type to make above-average improvement on her second start, given her evident inexperience, and, although holding no big-race entries, she may prove capable of making an impact at a much higher level.
Given the amount of well-bred horses introduced by powerful stables, plenty of future winners look sure to graduate from the opening maiden at Ascot on Saturday. In the short-term, Elkaayed, who was making his debut for the Roger Varian yard, shaped well enough to suggest that he will play a leading role in whichever maiden he runs in next time. Belying any inexperience on debut, Elkaayed bounced out and raced prominently down the centre, keeping on in taking fashion having been headed a furlong out and leaving the impression that a step up to a mile may suit ideally. A half-brother to three winners, including American Grade 2 winner Eldaafer, Elkaayed holds Group 1 entries for later in the season and, although that may be flying high, he is undoubtedly a colt with potential.
Having made a winning start on debut, Winsili, upped in class at Ascot, added further weight to the theory that she may be a useful prospect despite only finishing second. John Gosden's filly was not advantaged by how the race developed, having been held up off the steady pace and also suffering interference in the home straight, the bump she received coming at a crucial time as the leaders were starting to quicken. The manner in which Winsili travelled into contention off the slow pace was pleasing, as was the way she knuckled down in the closing stages to grab second, despite being carried to her left. Still open to plenty of improvement, Winsili may be able to make amends granted a stronger gallop and unimpeded passage.
Runners Debrief
The wait for our first winner continues, but the Notebook horses have not been performing without credit. There was obvious promise in Alnawiyah's latest effort, finishing strongly at Lingfield having been outpaced, unsurprisingly finding the seven-furlong trip an insufficient test. With her inexperience in mind, Hanagan wasn't unduly hard on the filly and she is definitely one to take note of when tackling trips in excess of a mile. There was perhaps less obvious promise in Golden Causeway's effort, but it did represent an improvement from her abject display at Newmarket and she possibly wasn't seen to best effect, racing freely out wide. Now eligible for nurseries, it will be interesting to see what handicap mark she is allotted as the overwhelming impression is that we have yet to see the best of Golden Causeway.
Semeen was a slight disappointment at Brighton, perhaps finding the unique nature of the track against him. A 4 lb rise in the weights for his Newmarket success did not look at all severe and a return to a more conventional track could well see Luca Cumani's three-year-old in a better light.
It was disappointing that Gospel Choir could not maintain the winning sequence at Ascot, however, there were mitigating circumstances, as Sir Michael Stoute's colt met significant trouble as he attempted to make his challenge. Given the distance he was eventually beaten, it is difficult to say the bump (albeit a hefty one) was the difference between winning and losing, but he remains a colt to be interested in, particularly as his form continues to be boosted having had Saturday's runner-up, Stencive, behind him at Haydock.
With an eye on the week ahead, Strictly Silver runs at Doncaster on Wednesday. Dropping back in trip from a mile might not suit ideally, but Alan Bailey's colt is thriving at present and is sure to be a popular choice to make up for his narrow reverse last time. Daylight and Majestic Moon both hold entries for Thursday but at this stage it is unknown whether they will take up their engagements.
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