12:05 Redcar -
A decent sized field. Finoah isn't one of the better Dascombe horses and has given this juvenile a Class 2 entry. However, this son of Kodiac has been consistent although still a maiden in nine starts. A very capable gelding with an official rating of 87. Looks to have a fine chance but whether you want to jump in at odds on because he may regress at some point.
Finoah 10/11f 1st
Note: A easy win for Finoah who deserved this victory.
12:15 Leicester -
Another odds-on shot. Richard Hannon has been dropping a few of his better juveniles in class to mop up prize money and victories. Watan won well on debut then finished second at Group 3. His latest at similar class proved to be a disappointment when fifth of six at Sandown. This son of Toronado was fancied to go well in the betting and hasn't been seen for almost two months. A win penalty sees him carrying 6lb extra but an official rating of 105 detail a pattern horse. I don't like betting at 1/3f just in case something crazy happens.
Watan 8/11f 1st
Note: Watan drifted in the market but won this well.
1:05 Redcar -
The Double Trigger Novice Stakes. No surprise to see a Mark Johnston representative. Mr Chiange isn't one of the better juveniles indicated by a sole Class 2 entry. He wasn't fancied on debut when racing over one mile and didn't achieve a great deal. Stepping up a furlong seemed to bring improvement when he finished second to a class horse in Nate The Grate. In truth, that was a remote second behind a horse priced 1/9f. However, I liked the display at Goodwood on soft going. If anything, the jockey may have pushed a little too much with the front-running tactics and he was collared in the closing stages.
Oak Park has been given one significant entry. I like Karl Burke as a trainer and especially his two-year-old. This son of Sea The Stars was fancied to go well on debut but looked inexperienced and soon off the pace. He seemed to relish the testing conditions and finished with verve unlucky not to have hit the frame. Would have most likely won with an extra half furlong. The second start proved a disappointment. A marked drift in the betting (was about 4/1 early on the exchanges) and that didn't speak well at all. Oak Park finished sixth beaten over ten lengths. It will be interesting to see if there was an issue that day. I'm intrigued to see how he goes today.
Oak Park 7/1 3rd
Mr Chiange 3/1 4th
Note: Mr Chiange did his normal front-running tactics but tired in the closing stage. Oak Park ran on to finish a creditable third.
3:40 Leicester -
Mick Channon has been sending out a few decent two-year-olds late this season. Modern Millie is a homebred daughter of Sixties Icon in the ownership of Norman Court Stud. She is out of a four-time winning mare who raced up to Group class but didn't achieve a great deal at that grade. Most of Channon's debutantes are well found in the betting if they hold any real hope. In fact, very few win on debut when priced bigger than 8/1. Interesting to see if this bay filly is fancied.
Modern Millie 9/4f 1st
Note: Once again Group Horse proves its point by identifying Modern Millie a horse we had on our radar from months ago. Wins nicely.
5:15 Chelmsford -
Another of Karl Burke's two-year-olds with a significant entry. Collect Call hasn't been disgraced in his three starts to date. Certainly, the last three efforts have shown this daughter of Kodiac to be a fair type. An official rating of 84 illustrates this point. A beaten favourite over course and distance. The winner, Aldana, looked very well and a better physical type so I wouldn't take that defeat as a disappointment. Crisford gave that filly a Listed entry afterwards, which shows she is well regarded.
Collect Call 7/4 3rd
Note: Perhaps a slightly disappointing effort from Collect Call. The winner eased clear and the rest were left behind.