Well, I have got back from Great Yarmouth and updated all the race reviews. Now I have to look at Saturday's action and it's 9:30pm.
It takes a lot of effort to update this info.
Far too many races so I'm going to keep this as brief as I can which usually means the post is longer than ever. I hope not for my sake.
1:15 Newbury -
Richard Hannon's Masaru won well on debut then finished eighth in the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes when a beaten favourite. This bay colt is well respected in the stable and made favourite to take the spoils. Interesting to see how he goes. I must admit, I do have concerns about many of these winners who carry penalties. A lot have failed to deliver as favourites under the burden. I will run a study on these at the end of the season to gain more insight because I don't think many are value at short odds. Certainly, class horses can win but it is something to consider.
One horse at big odds noted by trainer Marcus Tregoning is William Tell. In general, few of his debutant win at speculative odds. This son of Invincible Spirit is priced 40/1.
1:40 Chelmsford -
Roger Charlton's Catan has an entry although looks one of the stable's lesser lights. A winner at huge odds last start and has to defy a win penalty.
2:10 Newmarket -
Simon Crisford has noted El Gumryah, who ran well on debut in a strong field at Goodwood.
Star Of War has been given a Class 2 entry which may suggest ability. Ran ok on debut at Leicester when behind impressive stablemate Canton Queen. Stepping up to a mile should help.
4:05 Newmarket -
I always like William Haggas' two-year-old runners at Newmarket. As often the case with talented juveniles, they show their form second start. Coup De Gold has been noted by connections and a costly purchase at 155,000 euros. This son of Maxios was fancied to go well on debut at Sandown but little went right: slowly into stride, keen and then stumbling. However, he did show latent ability and one would suspect better today. The hood has been applied for the first time to help concentrate the mind. Wouldn't want to be slow from the stall but that experience should help.
Interesting to see Clive Cox has Eligible making his debut. Cox isn't the type of trainer to detail horses of limited ability and this son of Dark Angel cost 145,000 guineas as a foal and races in the silks of A D Spence. A noted owner. Priced 14/1, it will be interesting to see if this juvenile is backed. I'd be pretty confident this horse has ability, although if a big price you have to consider it may need the run. In general, the two-year-olds are fit and well. Interesting to see how this one goes.
Another one of Marcus Tregoning's debutantes in Strindberg. This son of Sea The Moon wasn't the most expensive but given a Class 2 stakes entry which suggests connections have some hope. As detailed above, most of there debutantes need the run at speculative prices although they can show ability. At 33/1 this horse is a big price if fancying a punt.
Conclusion: Coup De Gold will run well. Interesting to see if Eligible is backed. Maybe worth a speculative punt at big odds in the hope it is backed.
8:15 Wolverhampton -
Saeed bin Suroor is going well this season, which makes a change from the lull of the last few meagre harvests. Dubai Icon wasn't fancied on debut but likely to show up well here.
Mark Jonhston has Henry's Conquest. A recent Class 2 stakes entry may indicate hope. Priced 16/1 in the betting, it would bring more confidence. Very few of their debutantes win at bigger odds.
This post took over 1 hour to write.
I'm travelling home today so I won't have time to update much here. Sorry for the lack of depth.
Times for 2yo races: (N) Nursery (L) Listed
1:10 Newbury
1:30 Ayr
1:45 Newbury
2:00 Ayr
2:30 Ayr (N)
2:50 Newbury (N)
3:05 Ayr (L)
3:25 Newbury
4:30 Newbury
6:50 Newcastle
8:20 Newcastle (N)
I don't check nursery races.
4:30 Newbury - Interested to see Fashion's Star as looks to be one of Roger Charlton's best two-year-olds.
Very busy until I get home on Friday, so I must apologise for the posts on the day rather than the night before.
Let's a have a look at today's significant entrants.
1:30 Ayr -
Charlie Hills has Dark Jedi going here. This son of Kodiac won by a nose on debut and then runner-up at Listed class. Has to defy a win penalty.
Takumi wasn't fancied on debut and was never involved. A similar price second start where he ran on in the closing stages to gain third place.
Note: Reason why it pays to check yourself (thanks, Craig). I missed that Kevin Ryan's George Mallory has been noted by connections. Ran well on debut in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. Must have each-way claims.
It is worth noting it is testing ground which may help or hinder.
2:10 Pontefract -
Karl Burke has a good team. Serengeti Song has been noted by the trainer. This bay colt has run creditably on both starts and made favourite to take the spoils. The stable do well at this course.
2:20 Yarmouth -
William Haggas' Boerhan displayed inexperience on debut but managed to join the leader on the post to a dead heat. This Irish-bred son of Sea The Stars was a costly purchase at 270,000 guineas. Not seen for over one month, this extra furlong will help. Once again, we see a horse trying to defy a win penalty at odds-on.
2:50 Yarmouth -
William Haggas has another potentially smart two-year-old heading to the coast with Hidden Message. This daughter of Scat Daddy races in the familiar silks of Qatar Racing Ltd. She cost $150,000 at the yearling sales. A recent non-runner at Haydock due to the unsuitable ground. Debutantes can be tricky to assess although this filly is in Haggas' best betting guide.
King's Girl has been noted by Sir Michael Stoute although not one of the major players in the stable. The form of her debut at Newmarket looks decent enough although run off her feet at Brighton. This extra half furlong should help.
Just a quick update as I am at Great Yarmouth's Eastern Festival. From West Palm Beach via London to the Norfolk coast. Hence, the late update.
I'm getting around.
1:50 Beverley -
We don't see too many significantly entered two-year-olds going for Claiming races but Gay Kelleway is taking that option with Elieden. This daughter of Camacho has an official rating of 71 which tells the story of a limited horse but one that has enough ability to win a race. She has been entered for a few race this year showing glimmers of ability. Looks like connections are dropping in class to gain that first elusive win.
2:10 Sandwon -
William Haggas has a decent string of juveniles and Dalaalaat is making his debut today. This son of Kingman is worthy of respect.
Voltaic has run well on both starts to date and has valuable experience on side. This chestnut son of Power ran well in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York, the one significant entry he has received. Stepping up to one mile. A decent juvenile at odds of 6/1.
Conclusion: Just the two significant entrants here. Paul Cole's Voltaic could well hit the frame at each way odds. Dalaalaat is in one of Haggas' best betting guides which give hope but will need to be a fair talent to win on debut.
2:20 Beverley -
Air Force Amy ran well on debut in a competitive race. Looks to hold fair each-way claims.
2:30 Yarmouth -
Big old fields.
Saeed bin Suroor has definitely achieved more this two-year-old season. It makes a change after being given the lesser lights for far too long. Royal Meeting is fancied to go well here after a recent Class 2 entry. Not the easiest horse to assess.
Charlie Appleby has given Aquanura similar entry. He has run well on both starts to date and sets a decent standard.
Other significant entrants include Alrajaa. Fancied on both starts to date and beaten favourite at Sandown when fading tamely in the final furlong. I can imagine connections were a little disappointed with that effort.
Clipper Logistics is no stranger to decent two-year-olds and Victory Day makes his debut for William Haggas. This son of Bated Breath cost £270,000 at the yearling sales. Interesting that he received a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) entry some time back but no other entries since. It may indicate he had a set back at some point. Haggas does well at this course. I would prefer To see this youngster priced 13/2 & less SP to hold best chances but not without a hope.
Conclusion: Looks like a four-horse race on betting. Not the easiest of races to assess. The two debutantes [Royal Meeting & Victory Day] will need to be pretty smart on debut to beat the form horses although they may not have lived up to expectation. I would have to take a watching brief.
2:40 Sandown -
Good Fortune is a very well entered horse for Charlie Appleby.
Harry Dunlop has only one horse significantly entered and that is Goldino Bello.
2:50 Beverley -
Rock Up In Style has received a Class 2 Stakes entry
3:00 Yarmouth -
Sir Michael Stoute has noted Sovereign Grant. He ran well on debut when running on in the closing stages, giving the impression the race was needed. Almost three weeks off course, and sure to be fitter this time around.
The only other entrant noted by the trainer is David Simcock's Wiretap. Not the easiest of horses to assess and a horse who gives the impression has had a few issues along the way, which isn't ideal. Was fancied on debut at Yarmouth but easily beaten. However, the form of that race has turned out to be very good. Doesn't look fancied in the betting. If seriously backed to 13/2 & less SP would have much better claims. Keep an eye on the betting.
4:00 Beverley -
Summer Blossom has been consistent and looking for this filly.
Sabai Sabai has been noted by Ralph Beckett but has been disappointing of late.
A quiet couple of days. Let's see what we have going on today.
2:00 Lingfield -
Mark Johnston's French Twist has been noted for a recent Listed race. Ran fair on both starts to date and stepping up in trip. Interesting to see how this one goes at 12/1.
2:10 Redcar -
Karl Burke has his team in good order and Harperelle ran well after a lengthy absence in second place to Blame Roberta who went on to win next start. This a restricted race type and this daughter of Burwaaz has set a decent level for this grade.
Usain Boat hasn't been seen for about three months. This gelding has always been well regarded in the stable winning second start and a distant second in the Woodcote Stakes. Disappointed at Hamilton on testing going. These win penalties take some defying. A slight concern about being off course for such a long time. I would keep an eye on the betting. If strongly fancied would give greater hope but it would have to be a watching brief.
Big Ace is a fair juvenile and kept busy with nine starts to date. One win and runner-up on three starts. Once again, has to defy a win penalty.
Conclusion: Harperelle is in good form and her form is decent for this grade. Ran a solid race against Blame Roberta. Should take the beating but little value around even money. Usain Boat is a capable horse at best but that last run was disappointing and after being off course for such a long time you have to worry about issues or coming back unfit. Big Ace is fair but like Usain Boat has to defy a win penalty, which is easy.
No two-year-olds of significance.
No horses of significance.
Very busy so this will be kept to names:
1:30 Chester -
Entrants: Axel Jacklin.
1:40 Chelmsford -
Entrants: Daphinia.
2:00 Bath -
Entrants: Al Wafi.
2:30 Lingfield -
Entrants: Layaleena.
2:55 Musselburgh -
Entrants: Implicit, Blame Robert.
2:00 Chester -
Andrew Balding does well at Chester and always worth noting when in the ownership of J C Smith. Indomitable is a bay colt who has been beaten narrowly in both starts to date. His latest start, finishing second in the Convivial Maiden Stakes, was a great result and worthy favourite for connections.
3:25 Sandown -
Quite an interesting race.
Ed Dunlop doesn't have that decent string of juveniles but Venedgar is a consistent horse who has achieved an official rating of 83. This determined son of Dubawi has been beaten by a couple of smart Gosden two-year-olds.
John Gosden may be a thorn in Venedgar's side because of Kosciusko has been noted by connections.
Wojood is interesting. Hugo Palmer's charge is one of few two-year-olds to gain a significant entry but disappointed almost a month ago. Something went amiss at Newmarket. Could go well at odds of 22/1. At that price, is worthy as a speculative each-way wager.
Note: Wojood was a big price and too keen. I don't think connections was too concerned with disappointing today and if getting a low handicap mark will be winning. This horse needs to kerb its temperament but that should happen sooner rather than later.
4:00 Salisbury -
Simon Crisford's Jash won well on debut. This son of Kodiac was well backed and cruised to a four-and-a-half length victory. The form of that race has been franked. This smart prospect was meant to race at this course but it was abandoned due to a chaffer grub infestation. Has to defy a win penalty which makes life harder.
4:35 Salisbury -
Hugo Palmer has Red October going here. This son of Dawn Approach cost 50,000 guineas at the yearling sales. Palmer can go well with his debutantes and should run a race.
4:40 Doncaster -
Saeeb bin Suroor has done better this season than last. He is still rather hit and miss and something of a poor relation to Charlie Appleby. However, Royal Marine may be worth a second glance. This home-bred son of Raven's Pass was fancied on debut at Newmarket but looks to have disappointed behind Jash who is decent two-year-old. Royal Marine looks one of the better-entered juveniles and has win and place claims at 6/1.
Note: Once again proved correct. Royal Marine detailed on one of our two 10 Dark Horse mailing lists. Failed on debut - wins easily the second start after drifting markedly in the betting. It doesn't get any better than this. Group Horse Knows!
Ralph Beckett has been going well of late with a couple of winners and debutants who have shown ability [Fragrant Bell & Sam Cook]. James Park Wood is intriguing. Beckett can win on debut and this son of Australia who cost 190,000 guineas has received a significant entry. The way his debutantes have gone of late could well hit the frame.
Just a quick update as I am travelling home from sunny West Palm Beach, Florida.
3:55 Ffos -
Noted entries: Fox Fearless.
Yesterday we pointed readers in the direction of Canton Queen and Just Be Friendly.
Strange how the betting goes and the reason why you shouldn't think layers know best. Drifting in the betting from 9/1 - 16/1. She won well. Just Be Friendly is worth noting for the future. She was very well backed considering Bell's charge was 16/1 on Betfair early. Returned 6/1. Just Be Friendly ruined her chance, again, by being far too keen. Unless a horse is exceptional, it cannot pull over 7f. You will see this horse wins in the near future. If by some chance, she disappoints next start, this daughter of Toronado will be a near certainty if getting a weight for nursery class. Time will tell.
Anyway, back to Wednesday.
3:10 Carlisle -
1m (7f173y) British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Sire And Dam Restricted Race) (Class 4) (2yo)
Going: Heavy
Runners: 7
Firstly, it is always wise to be careful about very testing going.
Karl Burke has a decent string of two-year-olds. It helps give them a line to debutantes and Oak Park has been noted. Racing in the familiar silks of Mrs Maureen Gittins, this chestnut son of Sea The Stars is out of a debut-winning mare. She won twice in her career including Grade 3. Total prize winnings of just over £100,000. Burke can win with debutantes and this course is a real hotspot for winners. Priced at 9/4, it's difficult to assess value. A horse I respect.
Just one other entrant. Divine Gift isn't a class horse by any stretch of the imagination. Charlie Fellows hasn't had a vintage season with his juveniles. The best being Snazzy who struck early season. Divine Gift didn't show much ability on debut. However, this son of Nathaniel showed pace next start at Sandown when holding third place. There was money for him that day from very big odds on the exchanges. It was a good race and the first two are talented juveniles. I imagine connections are stepping up in distance hoping to find further improvement. If liking the heavy ground may run a race. Doesn't look to have the potential of some others but may pick up the pieces if they fail to deliver.
Conclusion: Oak Park is interesting. Burke has exceptional stats at this course and they keep winning so there is plenty of positives. You have to imagine Burke runs here because this horse can handle testing conditions. But over a mile, it will be a test. Any flaw in fitness will be magnified. Wouldn't be a surprise to see him win but I would rather watch and learn. Divine Gift may need others to falter to win. A watching race.
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