The Lost Sock: what can we expect from his debut?

The time has finally arrived. The Lost Sock has been declared to run. Racing TV's new syndicate horse in partnership with RaceShare will make his eagerly-anticipated debut at Nottingham on Friday, in the opening PricedUp EBF Maiden Stakes at 2.15pm.

Members were out in force to see the striking son of Cotai Glory on the gallops and back at Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables last month, and many will again be in attendance later this week to see him race for the first time.

But what can we expect from him? Varian reported a few weeks ago that he was very happy with how he'd taken his training since being bought from the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale for £50,000 in April, and whilst the original plan was to start off over 5f, the decision has been made to start over 6f instead, in a race that has been won by subsequent Group One winners Dream Ahead, in 2010, and Vandeek, who beat last weekend's Summer Mile winner Never So Brave to win in 2023.

The Lost Sock is one of seven runners to have been declared in this year's race and he is the only debutant amongst the septet. Four of his opponents have had two runs, whilst the remaining duo have each ran once.

One of the runners likely to be strongly fancied in the market is Maximum Scepticism, who is being sent over by Joseph O'Brien. He has ran twice, finishing behind Brussels on debut, and then Amadeus Mozart and subsequent winner Dorset last time out.

Hugo Palmer's Phantom Watch, who finished third at Newbury on his only start to date, always warrants plenty of respect.

Whilst bred to be quick and physically looking like a sprinter, The Lost Sock is out of a fast Dutch Art mare who is a half-sister to a Group Three-winning miler in Skins Game and an extended 1m2f Listed winner, as well as being a half-sister to the dams of two more middle-distance Group winners.

There is every chance the April-born colt could up wanting further in time, but Friday should tell us more.

Aidan Keeley, who rode two winners from two rides for Roger Varian last week, has been declared as his jockey, and Varian is hitting form at just the right time.

He has a 32 per cent stike rate over the past two weeks and is now just one away from hitting a half-century for the season. His overall strike rate is higher than the final figure in any other year since he took out a licence.

If you can't make it Nottingham, make sure to tune in to Racing TV to watch the race and all of the analysis from our top team.