OFFER TOPS THE BILL

Newbury 13:30 Don Deadman Memorial European Breeders' Fund Maiden Stakes (Div 1) (Str)

A very taking performance from both winner TALES OF GRIMM and runner-up Firdaws, especially as the latter found more trouble than a bull in a china shop.

The winner got a much more straight-forward passage, having been never more than two lengths off the pace. Quickly away, he was a tad keen but travelled powerfully throughout and moved smoothly through to challenge with two furlongs to run. He didn't scoot immediately away but found plenty of reserves when pressured on either side in the final 200 yards and was a deserving winner.

His jockey was impressed with his demeanour on this debut and his future looks bright. He doesn't have any flashy entries which is a slight surprise given he raised 320,000 guineas at the breeze-up sales at the Craven meeting, and he looks a more precocious sort than his trainer often excels with.

Firdaws was settled in midfield by Richard Hills but she showed inexperience when the race started to hot up, moving right and then left into rivals. Once her jockey had belatedly extricated her into the clear she picked up very well, showing a nice turn of foot. She was gaining on the winner at the line and would probably have won in a dozen more strides.

She will have learnt plenty here so connections will be pleased with the outing, although those who followed the market vibes will not be so content with the end result. She was a 1000 Guineas market mover even before making her debut and this looks strong form, so she didn't harm her Classic chances.

Third home, and also catching the eye, was The Nile. He travelled well just behind the pace but looked a tad green when asked to immediately make his challenge. However he got the hang of things, and may have actually hit the front with 200 yards to go.

However his inexperience seemed to show, and he was also unable to match the first two for pace late on. This was a terrific effort and he'll be a shoe-in for any bog-standard maiden next time.

The leading trio were miles clear of Humungosaur in fourth. He had solid form coming into the race and was always up with the pace. This was a professional performance, but he just lacks the class of those ahead of him.

Nant Saeson wasn't given a hard time and is now qualified for handicaps, whilst Never Satisfied caught the eye. He was under pressure a long way from home but this stoutly-bred colt ran on really well late in the day, a comment that also applies to fellow debutant Chil The Kite who missed the kick but stayed on stoutly close home.

Kings Decree also ran a fine race, finding trouble in running as the pace picked up, before staying on well under hands and heels for a never nearer seventh. Thirsty Bear dropped away after making the running, whilst Byron Blue looks as if he needs a bit more time.

Newbury 14:00 Don Deadman Memorial European Breeders' Fund Maiden Stakes (Div 2) (Str)

Roger Charlton has made no secret of the high regard in which he holds TOP OFFER and it was easy to see why, as the son of Dansili won readily on debut and in the process earned himself quotes for the 2012 Classics.

He seemed to know his job, breaking with the majority of the field, and he was nicely settled into midfield by Steve Drowne. He started to creep closer with three furlongs to run, and then made up ground on the leaders comfortably. His jockey sensibly angled him to the outside for an uninterrupted run and he took off in the final two furlongs to quickly put the race to bed.

He certainly wasn't stopping at the line, and the Derby, rather than the Guineas, would be a more likely long-term aim. He has plenty of scope and races such as the Dewhurst or the Racingpost Trophy look obvious short-term targets.

Runner-up Pulverize ran a fine race on debut, coming clear of his rivals late on. He raced quite prominently towards the far side (where the winner came from as well) and just lacked his rivals' turn of foot. He moved smoothly through to challenge for the lead, but then ran around a little greenly, before picking up late on. He wasn't shown the whip and looks a horse of great potential.

Blank Czech did best of the rest, finishing third having been up with the pace throughout. He got a little sweaty beforehand but settled well and put his experience to good use. He won't be gifted a nice handicap mark after this but can pick up a maiden before heading into decent company.

Unex Michelangelo caught the eye in fourth, running on nicely under hands and heels having been held up. Like the winner he is a son of Dansili, and, like the winner, his future lies over further.

Charley's Mount ran a cracker on debut, having set most of the early pace. He will easily win a maiden sooner rather than later, whilst Seemples did best of the Richard Hannon runners and wasn't given a hard time on debut. He has quite a speedy pedigree and it would be no surprise to see him run over six furlongs next time.

April Ciel ran with credit, putting his experience to good use, whilst Tidy Affair and I'm Harry caught the eye in behind. The former is qualified for handicaps now and should get a fair mark, whilst the latter is stoutly-bred and will take some beating over a mile or further down the line.

Newmarket 18:35 Sunspot Amusements, Southend E.B.F. Maiden Stakes

A fairly routine win for HARVARD N YALE, although he had to be firmly driven inside the final 200 yards to ensure victory. Ultimately he was well on top at the line, and having made so much of the running, was entitled to find himself a bit lonely in the closing stages.

What must be encouraging for connections is that he was going away again at the line and although not blessed with an immediate turn of foot, he looks a horse firmly on the up. He has plenty of big race entries later in the autumn, although one gets the impression that he won't be seen to best effect until well into his three-year-old season.

Runner-up Endowing belied odds of 50/1 and ran very well, especially as he came from a hold-up position, probably no mean feat considering they didn't seem to go that quick early on. He hadn't shown anything on his debut at the track and this was a big improvement, although cynics might suggest that it leaves the form open to question. He was still relatively green when asked to make his challenge with a furlong to run, and didn't help his cause by drifting to his left.

Third home was Gospel Choir, the main eye-catcher in the race. He still had several lengths to find with two furlongs to run but he really seemed to get the hang of things late in the day and was finishing with a flourish. His trainer isn't renowned for his juveniles so this was very encouraging, and he looks a fascinating prospect for the future.

Ultimately the leading trio were clear of Greek War who looked set to feature when making a challenge two out but his effort took its toll and he was eventually quite well-held. He was held-up early on and this stoutly-bred colt probably paid for making up his ground too quickly and being taken out of his comfort zone.

An eye-catching fifth was Mubaraza. His trainer's youngsters are in good nick, and he ran with promise, building on his debut seventh at the track with a staying-on effort under hands and heels.

Dynamic Duo was never far off the pace and he ran with credit; compensation awaits in an easier race. Holiday Reading put his experience to good use and has shown enough to suggest he will be of interest when handicapping, whilst Aldgate was very green and was beaten before halfway.

Topanga Canyon ran well, travelling powerfully through his race, and although he was eventually well-beaten, he looks worth keeping on the right side of.

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