A raw talent worth gambling on.

Byline: Saraband 

FLORENSKY was in no way disgraced when fourth on his introduction at Pontefract and even more can be expected of him in the EBF Maiden Stakes at Musselburgh today. The Godolphin colt is a huge horse who will certainly not be at his best until at least next year, and there were obvious signs of inexperience on his debut.

Despite that, he was getting the hang of things late on and passed the post fourth of the seven runners.

The winner, Musaafer, has since gone on to contest the Racing Post Trophy, so it was obviously not a bad maiden by Pontefract standards.

Florensky is big and raw, and will appreciate further than this in time, but the talent is definitely there and he should make his presence felt in an event of this nature.

Pytheas is proving an expensive horse to follow but he can reward those who keep the faith at Nottingham.

Mark Johnston's charge has been sent off favourite for each of his five starts to date, placed In all but one of them.

There does not appear to be anything ungenuine about him, however, and he was unlucky to bump into a smart sort from the Godolphin camp over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago. There are again some highprofile yards represented in the DG Taxis For Speed And Comfort Maiden Stakes, but Pytheas looks the pick on all known form.

Looby Loo can give Peter Chapple-Hyam a welcome boost by opening her account under the floodlights at Kempton in the digibet Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

The King's Regiment Cup Handicap Chase at Haydock is a difficult event to weigh up, but it may be worth taking a chance on Cybora, who is in receipt of lumps of weight all round.

French Saulaie ran no sort of race on his first start of the season at Chepstow, but should be backed to make amends in the Subscribe On Line At racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle.

TODAY'S SARABAND SELECTIONS HAYDOCK: 1.50 Silver Steel, 2.20 Tae Kwon Do, 2.55 Cybora, 3.25 French Saulaie, 4.00 Jaunty Times, 4.30 Bruslini. KEMPTON: 5.50 Mr Rio, 6.20 Donna Elvira, 6.50 Looby Loo, 7.20 Gouray Girl, 7.50 The Grey One, 8.20 Art Market, 8.50 Defector, 9.20 Silent Act. MUSSELBURGH: 1.00 Business Class, 1.30 Brink, 2.00 Besty, 2.35 Florensky (nap), 3.05 Dayia, 3.40 Tufton, 4.10 Igoyougo. NOTTINGHAM: 12.40 Zaffature, 1.10 Pytheas, 1.40 The History Man, 2.10 Bravely, 2.45 Arab League, 3.15 Kiwi Bay, 3.50 Tafaool, 4.20 Sotelo.

Double: Florensky and Looby Loo.