A lowly Claiming Stakes. I hardly dare mention Elieden, trained by Gay Kelleway. This two-year-old has been given a few significant entries over the season but now target the bottom of the barrel. This bay daughter of Camacho is proving very hard work. I wouldn't advise a bet but detailing this juvenile simply because she is the only significant entry in the field. She was half fancied at Wolverhampton. A slow start, hampered and running wide on the bend, gave no chance at all. Stepping up to 7f. At least this is a straight course so it may give less opportunity to find problems. Ten starts and no wins don't impress. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Elieden 3/1 2nd
Note: Elieden proved she is just about up to winning a race but, still, not today. Ran a fair race in second. She isn't the biggest of horses but seemed to be unbalanced for most not sure if that was jockey or horse.
3:20 Redcar -
Andrew Balding's Fox Leicester has run twice this season. Fancied on debut when disappointing but showing much more second start at 20-1. A couple of Class 2 Stakes entries give some element of confidence although far from one of the better juveniles at Kingsclere. This 310,000 euro purchase races in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. This step up to one mile should help.
Hugo Palmer has Barend Boy. This gelding has raced eight times. Looked to have ability on debut when favourite but proved very unreliable this season. He did manage to win at nursery level when rated 79. At best, this son of Oasis Dream has some standard (proved by the highest official rating of 89). However, he didn't run very well at all last time out over one mile. That run must have been too bad to be true because Eeyore the donkey wouldn't have been that far afield. The visor has been applied. Another horse who has had a long season which always brings concern.
Fox Leicester 9/4 2nd
Barend Boy 28/1 5th
Note: Fox Leicester ran a sound race but couldn't match John Gosden's debutante who put in a classy display. Not a bad run in second place. Barend Boy led for a long way and wasn't disgraced in 5th place at 28/1.
4:05 Haydock -
William Haggas has had a fine two-year-old season. Plenty of winners. Coup De Gold has been noted by the stable but proven disappointing on two starts to date. A couple of placed efforts doesn't sound too bad but 10 lengths+ defeats don't sit so comfortable. This son of Maxios cost 155,000 euros at the yearling sales. Priced 3-1 on both runs. He is stepping up to one mile which may help. The betting suggests he is still fancied so punters haven't given up the ghost just yet. Many will be hoping that run was too bad to be true. It was soft going that day. I wondered if that was the reason! However, the going today is heavy. That in itself is enough to put me off. If strong in the betting, it would suggest better is expected. These disappointing horses are difficult. If they are short odds you are sucked into thinking they are decent but is that value? Conversely, if they are a huge price you have a price but figure little chance of success. Interesting. I'll be watching.
Coup De Gold 3/1 2nd
Note: Ran a fair race in second. Always looked uncomfortable hanging and looking an awkward ride. Not sure if it was the ground, but didn't seem very straightforward to me.
6:15 Newcastle -
These restricted auction races often make a good betting medium. Boston George is very interesting. Trained by Keith Dalgliesh, this bay colt is a son of Raven's Pass in the ownership of Weldspec Glasgow Ltd (who have some decent types with the stable). This March foal cost just $7,000 when purchased at the yearling sales. He ran well on debut when competing in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. In addition, he has received a couple more significant entries. He is held in some regard by connections. Looks to have respectable claims. Very unlikely to drift to each-way prices, but if it happened a very good bet.
Boston George 4/5f 1st
Note: Always going to be a hard horse to beat here. Not much of a price but a professional display to win well.