Five two-year-old races for Friday. I will detail the significant entrants and form horses worthy of note. 2:00 Goodwood - Just a couple of entrants. Big Boots is a son of Society Rock and tidy winner on debut at Bath. He was slightly disappointing at Windsor racing under a penalty when favourite. It will be interesting to see if he can show more without an apprentice. A high draw is an advantage. Robert Cowell has been kept busy this early season with an increased string of two-year-olds. Blame Roberta has received a couple of significant entries. This daughter of Blame races in the ownership of Khalifa Dasmal. She looks a good yearling purchase at just $27,000. She ran a respectable fourth place on debut at Yarmouth. The form has been franked with the first three horses either winning or narrowly denied. This bay filly wasn't too far behind or given a hard race. Looks capable of better. This looks a difficult race to assess so I would advice a watching brief. 2:20 Haydock - Mark Johnston has been in fine form this season. Axel Jacklin looked disappointing on debut but fared much better at Newmarket when stepping up to 6f. This leggy son of Iffraaj battled hard when runner up to Usain Boat. Should go well. Five Amarones is one of a number of horses Tom Dascombe has entered this season. This son of Alhebayheb was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but didn't take part. He was fancied on debut at Pontefract but slowly into stride even though he had a prime draw. In truth, he ran on pretty well to chase home Carey Street. Five Amarones ran a similar race at Bath over the minimum trip. Always slightly outpaced, he didn't have the pace to get to grips with Barbill or Ginger Nut. That third place did suggest some limitation. The major hope here is stepping up to 6f. Arthur Kit hasn't received any entries for Tom Dascombe, but this debutante is well bred, the mare being Ceiling Kitty who won the Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 (2012). The betting details that this colt is first string. The stable do well at this racecourse. 2:45 Bath - No significant entrants although New Queen and Country Rose may well be in the very near future. 3:55 Bath - An interesting Class 3 EBF Novices' Stakes over 5f 160y on firm going. Hua Hin is well regarded by the Hannon stable. This son of Dandy Man ran well to win on debut, although tiring in the closing stages. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but didn't take that route. This February foal has to shoulder a 6lb win penalty and reason why Gary Mahon takes off a valuable 5lb. I would expect Hua Hin to improve for that first start after a month off course. Charles Hills has a few decent types this season. Ynys Mon ran in a Class 2 race on debut when stuck in the mud. This son of Olympic Glory is a good-looking colt but has temperamental issue. He has been too keen on both his last starts which may have become a habit. That is a problem. He may enjoy this firm ground and this small field shouldn't bring about traffic problems which didn't help at Chester. However, I would be worried if he is keen over this extended five furlongs especially at even money. If going a stride too fast it makes winning difficult. 7:30 Pontefract - The best race on the day this Class 2 with win prize money of over £15,000. Just the five runners. Looks a trappy heat. Will be taking a watching brief.
Three two-year-olds races including the National Stakes Listed Race at Sandown. 1:30 Goodwood - 1:50 Catterick - 6:35 Sandown - All those entered at 6:35 Sandown are significantly entered. Take a look at the race here. 1:50 Catterick - EBF Fillies' Stakes (Plus 10) Class 5 2yo. Ten juveniles take part on good to firm ground. Just the one significant entry here being Mark Johnston's Diviner. This daughter of Charm Spirit was fancied on debut at Salisbury but didn't show in the heavy ground. A cheap yearling purchase, but a good-looking type. There was very good money for her second start at Wolverhampton when striding five-lengths clear of the field. That race was an auction class. To be fair, it didn't look the strongest of races although time will tell the truth. There was a lot to like about that performance. We can pretty much guarantee this bay filly will lead from a low draw. That will give in-running punters plenty of time to consider trading if they so wish (not my kind of bet). A small win penalty makes life a little harder. A couple of horses here worth noting for their statistical chances. Second Generation cost just £1000 at the breeze-up sales but fancied on debut for James Tate. She ran over course and distance but little went right that day when stuck behind a wall of horses. A few of Tate's juveniles have looked either limited or ring rusty this year but I would keep an eye on the betting. If fancied in the market, has decent each-way claims. If very weak - best watched. Michael Bell has sent out a good few two-year-olds this early season. Artair has won well at Yarmouth and heads to Sandown for the National Stakes Listed. Stage Play is a grey daughter of Oasis Dream and the mare won at Listed class and placed at Group 3 (cost 160,000 euros as a foal). Stage Play ran at Ascot on debut over the minimum trip. She showed pace before tiring in the closing furlong. The stats indicate this filly has sound each-way claims if priced 13/2 & less SP. Posh Perfect showed little ability when racing at Ripon on debut when made favourite. Richard Fahey has a very good string of two-year-olds and if this horse is strong in the betting I would be quite fearful. Conclusion: A race of interest. A few of these, above, have some chance although they could make it a competitive heat. I would let the betting settle before jumping in.
Hugo Palmer has been relatively quite this season. Barend Boy was a touch ring rusty on debut but finished with real verve. He stayed at 5f when heading to Newmarket and was far from disgraced when finishing third. The second horse that day, Fly The Nest, seemingly disappointed next start which makes the form a little more difficult to assess. However, the form of that first run looks fair and this step up in distance should bring improvement. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes Stakes but didn't take that opportunity. Dixieland has run two times but not shown a great deal of ability. He was hampered on debut and although not beaten far at Doncaster it was a slightly disappointing effort. This son of Red Jazz was well backed that day and, perhaps, under performed. Time will tell. Connection are stepping up to 6f for the first time. I imagine they are hoping this will help. My Dear Friend was very keen on debut at Salisbury when starting favourite. A good-looking colt who cost a decent sum. Could well prove positive today. Karl Burke's juveniles are either limited or been out of form. Most have looked disappointing. Swissterious is a son of Swiss Spirit and a £44,000 yearling buy. The betting suggests he either needs the run of limited. In his favour, he received a Class 2 Stakes entry, just one of two horses to be noted by the trainer. 2:10 Chepstow - Rod Millman's Lady Wolf wasn't fancied on debut when finished seventh. The form of the race has been franked and the first four look up to winning. Stepping up to 6f is a positive. The stable do pretty well at this course so may have some chance. Popping Corks was one place ahead for Richard Hannon.
Five two-year-old race for Monday. I will try to keep this as brief as possible because I am trying to do a million things at once. 2:05 Redcar - Mark Johnston has been in very good form and details the only significant entry for with Aisling. This race type is restricted which usually favours proven form horses.Big Ace ran well last time out and looks a tough horse to beat. However, Johnston's daughter of Dream Ahead - a very cheap buy - has been given an entry of note so it will be interesting to see how she goes. 2:15 Carlisle - Once again, Mark Johnston has the sole entry here with Hard Forest. A wide draw isn't ideal. She must be held in some regard by connections as received a couple of entries including a Listed race. This American-bred daughter of Hard Spun has looked a short runner but ran ok on a couple of occasions. She was readily outpointed at Yarmouth although the form of that race has been franked. Has plenty of pace so may try to get to the rail from this high draw. A slight concern about her tiring in the final furlong. From a statistical point of view, True Mason could go very well. A wide draw isn't ideal. He ran in a decent race on debut and may have been bogged down with the mud or slightly in need of the run. The stable have been out of form which doesn't bring confidence but their fortunes will change sooner or later. Definitely one for the short list. Cosmic Law was the more fancied of the two Fahey runners at Doncaster, where the outsider of the two prevailed. Cosmic Law was slow away from the stalls and never really involved. However, this son of No Nay Never stayed on in the closing stages without being pressed. I was quite taken with that effort and a horse who will progress. If drifting to each-way prices is worth a small bet. 6:00 Leicester - No significant entries. 6:15 Windsor - Quite an interesting race. Richard Hannon's Come On Leicester cost 360,000gns at the breeze-up sales and ran well when making her debut at Ascot. She has a plum draw in stall one and a recent entry for the National Stakes Listed races gives the impression this should be a stepping stone to bigger fish.Whether you want to jump in at 4/5f is the only concern. Definitely the horse to beat. Gay Kelleway's Elieden was a bargain buy at the breeze-up sales. An excellent purchase at £4,000. Interesting to note this small filly was entered to run at selling class but also higher profile races such as the Lily Agnes, a Class 2 contest and the National Stakes Listed. She was sent off a huge price on debut at Chester. A wide draw and slow start didn't help. However, she ran very well, finding trouble in running down the straight, but finished with some verve. There is always a chance she could have been slightly flattered. Recent entries suggest connections fancy she has ability. A wide draw isn't ideal here and she wouldn't be helped by another tardy start. If starting on terms, could well hold each-way claims at 12/1. The favourite looks hard to beat so if betting you may be wiser to have a point on the favourite and Elieden and just hope the jolly has a disaster. Richard Hughes has a number of two-year-olds. They often struggle to win but show form. Kadiz traveled well on debut but went a stride too fast and looked to hate the testing conditions at Salisbury. If back to her best, could hold claims. A wide draw isn't ideal but she should have the pace to sit handy if her rider chooses. A hood has been applied which is a slight negative. 6:45 Windsor - Not significant entries
The Wooden Spoon Charity Stakes over 6f on good to firm going. One of eight two-year-olds will receive the wooden spoon. Two horses with racecourse experience. One horse has a significant entry. Scott Dixon isn't the easiest trainer to second guess but Champagne Mondays was given a Brocklesby Stakes entry but didn't take part. This chestnut son is sired by Milk It Mick out of a ten-time winning mare (who wasn't a talented but a battling handicapper). This home bred is priced 20/1. Be interesting to see if there is any money for this horse as the stable like to bet if they have a chance. Scott Dixon won the Brocklesby back in 2014 with Cock Of The North, who raced at a high level including placed at Group 2. Not the type of horse I would rush out to bet but interesting in its own way.
A long day, so I will quickly detail the significant entries for these races:
2:10 Thirsk - Interesting to note just one horse entered here being Brian Ellison's Antico Lady. Priced 33/1, the bookies must think this is a tough debut. Ellison is a difficult trainer to assess with debutantes although they can win at big prices. He had Pearl Of Qatar do just that at Beverley at 25/1. Antico Lady is a daughter of Dandy Man and cost 45,000G at the yearling sales. Not sure what to think of the apprentice jockey being on board. It suggests, in ways, they think this filly will need to run. I'm simply detailing her here because she was given a significant entry. Queen Of Burmuda looks a tough nut to crack. Interesting to see what happens. At least with nine runners there are three places for those who want to dabble at speculative each-way odds. You will be hitting and hoping. A big price is the only factor which may entice. 2:45 Thirsk - Interesting to note that, again, we have two significantly entered juveniles here at big prices. Lady Kinsale was entered for the Lily Agnes but took a different race at Chester. She led for much of the way before tiring into eighth. She has pace to burn and may appreciate this straight course and may well be fitter for that experience. Eric Alston doesn't have many two-year-olds in his string and most are limited. Not impossible but unlikely at 20/1. Oxygenic is the same price for David O'Meara. This daughter of Showcasing was relatively fancied on debut when showing little. She was a big price at Musselburgh in what was a fair race. Interesting that she was entered to run in the two-year-old Listed race at York but didn't take that opportunity. That may be a sign that better is expected. 3:50 Newmarket - A tough looking race with a few horses with mighty price tags. Just the sole entry at present - although some of these will be going places. New Winds has received an entry from Mark Johnston. 6:20 Doncaster - Just a quick mention as running out of energy. Arcadian Rocks has been given a significant entry by Mick Channon. Victory Command has been given a couple of entries by Mark Johnston.
2:10 Salisbury - Novice Stakes over 5f on good to firm going. Four juveniles with racecourse experience and four debutantes. Two-year-olds with significant entries. High Horse was expected to win on debut but found a decent opponent in Big Boots who was somewhat disappointing next start under a penalty. The other entrant is Well Done Fox. A very expensive yearling at 255,000G. This son of Acclamation was a beaten favourite that day, tiring in the closing furlong. Perhaps he was slightly in need of the run. Both horses should show their worth today. 5:05 York - An EBF Maiden Stakes. A Class 2 race so all significant entrants on good to firm going. Ten two-year-olds take part - just one with racecourse experience. A couple with multiple entries will be detailed, below. I Am A Dreamer was entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take that contest but well beaten as even money favourite at Musselburgh and then at Newmarket. Looks to need improvement. Probably more interesting is Charlie Appleby's True Belief. This bay colt is a son of Excelebration out of a once-raced mare. He cost £95,000. 5:45 Newmarket - Novice Auction Stakes over 6f on good going. Fourteen two-year-olds take part. Just two horses have racecourse experience. Those of most significance include Axel Jacklin trained by Mark Johnston. This bay colt wasn't that fancied on debut, giving the impression this extra furlong would help. Usain Boat ran well on debut at Yarmouth behind easy victor Artair, who looks to be a fair type for Michael bell. George Scott's son of Casamento wasn't best away and just pushed out to take second place. He is another horse who will benefit from this extra yardage and up hill finish.
A Novice Stakes Div I on good going. Nine two-year-olds take part. Deep Intrigue is the only horse with significant entries. A beaten favourite on his last two start - short odds - Johnston will be hoping this is third time lucky. This grey son of Dark Angel cost £200,000 at the yearling sales. Read more: Mr Angry (Johnston) Derides new plans for racing 2:30 Beverley - Nine two-year-olds entered for this Novice Stakes Div II. No horses with significant entries. 5:15 Chepstow - A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f 16y on good to firm going. A restricted race type which often favours form horses. Bill Turner's John Betjeman has run well on two starts. He seemed to enjoy the testing ground conditions on debut at Bath. He may be better with a bit of give in the going description but a horse with enough ability to go close in a race of this nature. Finley Marsh takes off a valuable 5lb. Rod Millman does well at this course. Swan Street hasn't got an entry at this stage but not a bad looking juvenile who ran fair enough on debut at Kempton. In addition, Whataguy is a rare two-year-old runner for Paul Nicholls. This son of Mayson ran in a competitive race on debut at Salisbury. Quite a nice looking juvenile who will improve with racing. Stuart Kittow is a very good trainer and Mayfair Madam did little wrong when beaten a neck at Windsor. This chestnut daughter of Mayson traveled well that day even though she had unseated her rider going to the start. The form of that race is respectable for this grade with a couple franking the form.
Clive Cox has made a great start to the season with his two-year-olds. A couple look very talented. Molly Blake races in the familiar silks of Peter Ridgers. A £24,00 yearling purchase. May well be under priced after a few successes but interesting as their debutantes have decent each away claims when priced 13/2 & less SP. Even more so when 7/2 and less SP. Read more: Clive Cox's Harry Angel returns to racecourse in the Duke Of York Stakes on Wednesday at York
1:50 Wolverhampton - Novice Auction Stakes over 5f 21y on standard. Couple of significantly entered juveniles. Diviner was fancied on debut but didn't do much but a good looking type. This is a restricted race type so form horses usually prevail. Sylvester Kirk's Wolstonbury pulled hard on second start and ran wide on the bend before tiring in the closing furlong. A low draw is good news. Temperamental horses are often hard work but may have claims. Looks the type to lead and try to hand on. 2:00 Catterick - No significant entries. 5:50 Windsor - A Novices Stakes race over 5f 21y on god to soft going. Big Boots ran out a decent winner on debut at Bath. He was entered for Lily Agnes race but didn't take part. Has to run under a penalty but a decent horse.
4:35 Ascot - (12th May) A Novices Staked Class 3 over 5f on good to firm going. Ten two-year-olds take part: three with racecourse experience. Probably a fair race with a number of big trainers. Just two significantly entered horses here. Blown By Wind won well on debut at Windsor and supporters of Mark Johnston's colt must have been confident of making it two wins from two when priced 4/11f. There is no such thing as a certainty, and that was the case when Emaraaty Ana cruised past to win comfortably. Blown By Wind had to shoulder win penalty as he does today. This is no easy challenge against a previous winner and one or two expensive purchases. The other horse noted by the trainer may go well at a price. Robert Cowell has a bigger string of two-year-olds and they have been running thick and fast this season. Sir Ox cost $215,000 at the yearling sales. This American-bred son of Oxbow wasn't fancied in the betting on debut at Kempton when priced 25/1. He had a wide draw which didn't help. Funnily enough, he started well but then dropped anchor (or something) and seemed to be instantly outpaced. This bay colt - in the ownership of Khalifa Dasmal - had no particular chance thereafter but show some sparkling in the final furlong. Interesting that Silvestre De Sousa is booked to ride. At odds of 16/1 he may be worth a small speculative bet. I'd rather him be contending a lesser race because one or two of these are likely to have ability (the two favourites to start).
Not a great deal of time so I will simple detail the significantly-entered juveniles for Friday's four races. 2:50 Lingfield - An EBF Novice Stakes over 4f 217y on good to firm going. Ed Walker has a nice prospect with On The Stage. Interesting that Dark Panther has been noted by the trainer. This Irish-bred son of Dandyman was relatively fancied on debut at Brighton but ran horrendously. A huge price today. Sometimes the worse they look on debut the better they go second start. Needs a leap of faith. 5:10 Nottingham - A Fillies' Novice Median Auction Stakes over 5f 8y on good going. No significant entrants. 5:50 Ripon - Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on good going. Richard Hughes' charge is the only significantly entered two-year-old in this race. Wolf Hunter showed zilch on debut at Bath when trailing home in the mud. This son of Sir Prancealot ruined his chance when returning to Kempton in what looked to be a fairly hot race. He was keen and ran wide on the bend which all but ruined any chance of winning. However, this chestnut colt made eye-catching progress in the closing furlong suggesting he is capable of much better. This juvenile doesn't look the easiest horse to ride and temperamental which is never good news. Could go well but you are taking a gamble whether he settles or not. Slightly off putting. 6:00 Ascot - An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 5f on good to firm going. No significantly entered juveniles.
