Friday 4 May 2018

2:10 Musselburgh Update


An EBF Novice Stakes over 5f on good going. 


Seven two-year-olds take part: five with racecourse experience. 

As far as significant entries go we have one horse - Deep Intrigue. Trained by Mark Johnston, this good-looking prospect has received a couple of noteworthy entries. 

This grey son of Dark Angel hasn't been seen for over a month. He started joint favourite in a Class 2 Novice Stakes race at Bath. The going was very testing that day and the time was over 10 seconds slow which illustrates it was a mud bath. There seemed to be quite a bit of confidence behind this Irish-bred colt who cost £200,000 at the yearling sales. He races in the familiar silks of Clipper Logistics. 

Much of the race, he was battling for the lead but tired in the closing furlong. It was a tough ask for a horse on debut. He may have been unsuited by the ground or just slightly in need of the run. Basically, it was similar to running over 6f. I suspect connections have given him time to get over those exertions. 

The betting suggests that punters haven't given up hope and this sounder surface is likely to be more suiting. 

From a statistical point of view, Moojim has respectable place claims. He doesn't look the biggest horse but ran well on debut behind the smart Sabre. The form of that race is still difficult to asses. Bryan Smart's youngster could well hit the frame. Disappointing there is only two places.