Now that the obvious TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard have been dealt with, it is time to turn to the “darker” ones among last year's crop. Not that there is such thing as a truly dark horse anymore thanks to detailed data and the vastly greater scope of media coverage of the better maidens and novices. We're not there yet, for some reason, but there will be a time when we will know almost instantly whether we've seen a genuine good horse or not through meaningful stride and time data rather than just often misleading visual impression.Not all TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard dazzle on the clock at two and it's not always possible to obtain that vital data straightaway, so it can still come down to old-fashioned crystal-ball gazing. The six that follow haven't all got the sectional x-factor for differing reasons, but they have the mechanics to get there under the right circumstances.MY OPHELIA (IRE) (f, Wootton Bassett–My Titania, by Sea The Stars)Owner: Tony Bloom & Ian McAleavy; Breeder: Sunderland Holding Inc; Trainer: William HaggasShe cost 1.7million gns at Tattersalls October Book 1 and would have been forgiven for being just a broodmare prospect as a half-sister to the top-flight performers My Prospero (Iffraaj), My Oberon (Dubawi) and My Astra (Lope De Vega), but the way she went through her Newbury mile novice in October suggests we are dealing with the genuine article on the track, too.Striding like a middle-distance prospect, the Irish Oaks entry was as smooth as it gets on her sole start and with her notoriously astute trainer knowing the family so well the sky is the limit. Interestingly, her much-missed sire made a breakthrough in the middle-distance monuments last year to demonstrate his remarkable versatility and an Oaks trial is surely on the cards for My Ophelia in the next few weeks.RAAHEEB (IRE) (c, Sea The Stars–Aghareed, by Kingmambo)Owner/Breeder: Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; Trainer: Owen BurrowsNot at all under the radar as a full-brother to Baaeed and Hukum, Raaheeb didn't even need to win on debut to get us excited so the manner of his performance at Ascot was above and beyond. Described by Jim Crowley as sleepy there, he appears to have the perfect temperament for longevity and must be viewed as potentially top-class until proven otherwise.Looking at the stride data, this colt could fall somewhere in between his siblings trip-wise and Derby stamina is far from a given so any early trial will prove imperative for getting clearer confirmation. The Prix du Jockey Club would be a very feasible target and if he can add Classic success to his family it really would complete the portfolio.EVITA (FR) (f, Persian King–A Mist Opportunity, by Foxwedge)Owner: Sheikh Omar Esmil Ghrghar, Carlos Lerner & Yann Lerner; Breeder: Haras d'Etreham & Katelanis Bloodstock; Trainer: Carlos & Yann LernerA highly impressive five-length winner of her sole start over a mile at Chantilly in September, Evita had a clutch of subsequent winners in behind including a subsequent Listed runner-up. Yann Lerner spoke of the prospect of “beautiful days” for this half-sister to Wootton Bassett's Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and Criterium de Saint-Cloud runner-up Islandsinthestream.Physically, she is some specimen and with her Australian heritage will be at home on a quick surface which augurs well for the big tests of high summer. Her sire's first TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard, she is one of two in that bracket carrying these colours alongside the stable's recent debut knockout The Last Dance (Iffraaj).MONTREAL (IRE) (c, Sea The Stars–Muwakaba, by Elusive Quality)Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; Breeder: Capital Bloodstock; Trainer: Aidan O'Brien One of this week's big talking horses at the Ballydoyle Press Day, Montreal has all the ingredients to hit the heights at three over middle distances. A half-brother to the Blandford winner and Irish Oaks runner-up Cayenne Pepper (Australia), like her he may be best suited by 10 furlongs but all will become clearer as the Derby trials unfold.Given that his third dam is Allegretta (Lombard), who gave the world of racing the mighty epoch-shaping Arc heroine Urban Sea (Miswaki), Montreal has that influential matron on both sides of his illustrious pedigree and therefore more than a fair share of the Derby in his blood.ZARAKI (IRE) (c, Zarak–Urbania, by Sea The Stars)Owner/Breeder: Wertheimer et Frere; Trainer: Andre FabreAndre Fabre looks to have a bright prospect in this grandson of Plumania (Anabaa) from a Wertheimer dynasty that continues to produce high-class runners year upon year. Seen only once over ParisLongchamp's Poule d'Essai des Poulains course and distance, the homebred may not have beaten anything of much consequence but this is a Classic case of pedigree over-riding the formbook.Plumania's son Plumatic by Zarak's sire Dubawi won the G2 Prix du Muguet, while Dubawi also produced the family's Vermeille heroine Left Hand and last year's highly-regarded G2 Prix Saint Alary runner-up Audubon Park. Also featuring on her page is another Vermeille winner and Arc runner-up in Aventure, by Urbania's sire. Zaraki is entered in next month's Prix la Force and Prix de Fontainebleau, so we'll know much more very soon.NATION'S HOPE (IRE) (c, Ghaiyyath–Important Time, by Oasis Dream)Owner/Breeder: Godolphin; Trainer: Charlie ApplebyHaving taken a tried-and-tested Charlie Appleby route with winter runs at Kempton, this half-brother to the high-class Nations Pride (Teofilo) and grandson of the Prix de l'Opera heroine Satwa Queen (Muhtathir) hasn't done anything outstanding on the clock as yet but he hasn't needed to with five and six-length routs of inferiors.Nations Pride had a crack at the Derby after winning the Listed Newmarket Stakes by seven lengths, but didn't see out the mile and a half at Epsom before showing his best at the intermediate trip. It could be the same story again, with all those prestigious races in the States throughout the summer proving a big temptation.The post TDN Rising Stars To Follow, Part 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.