Monday 22 October 2018

Monday's 2YO Update


You know, I really need to make my blog post titles more exciting. 

Let's have a look at Monday's significant entrants.

2:10 Windsor - 

Soft going. High number draws may have an advantage. 

Richard Hughes has been in decent form this season. Pleased to see him go better with his fancied runners as in previous years they were like some kind of death wish. Swiss Pride has been given a Class 2 stakes entry (which isn't anything amazing). A consistent colt who has raced seven times. Could well start favourite for this 5f. No real experience on the testing ground. A poor draw, too, if they head for the far rail. 

Bill Turner's fortunes have diminished over the years. Arthur's Spirit started off in the Brocklesby Stakes & competed in the Lily Agnes Stakes. This gelding has a decent level of pace as seen when beating Jungle Inthebungle at Kempton back in April. Hasn't shown a great deal in his last two starts. The latest over 6f saw him plummet to plating class. This son of Swiss Spirit ran poorly after showing an element of pace. An official rating of 66 doesn't speak well and he looks out of form. Another horse with a low draw. Blinkers have been applied for the first time. You couldn't really bet on this horse. 

Swiss Pride 9/4 6th 
Arthur's Spirit 25/1 9th 

Note: Neither of these looked attractive betting propositions. Swiss Pride may have failed on the going or regressing. Similar story for Arthur's Spirit who led but struggled thereafter. 

2:30 Pontefract - 

Soft going. 

Interesting to see Usain Boat is back. George Scott is a talented trainer but one who I find tricky to assess at times. This Irish-bred son of Casamento showed fair form on this formative starts. A winner at Newmarket on his second start. Had a break mid-June before returning in September when relatively fancied in the betting at Redcar when finishing last of ten. Not seen since. Needs to come back fighting fit. The cheekpieces have been applied to find something of a spark. A step up in distance, making this a test of stamina on soft ground. Interesting. Not a horse I would bet at short odds. 

Usain Boat 7/1 2nd 

Note: Usain Boat isn't in the best of form but held on for the second place. Led for most but easily outpointed by the 1/3f who wandered across the track.  

6:40 Kempton - 

Most of these lucky 13 are priced to have no real chance. The betting suggests it is a three-horse race. This trio has received significant entries this season (once again detailing the worth of this information). 

* Imperial Charm is held in some regard by connections. One of nine two-year-olds to be noted by the stable. This daughter of Dubawi has done nothing wrong in two starts to date. Beaten half a length on debut where the form has been franked. Then made favourite against another noted Group Horse Sunday Star, who is a very nice horse for Ed Walker. I can imagine connections and punters alike were surprised she was put in her place by that many lengths. However, I think it just turned out to be a tough race. A wide draw isn't ideal on this turning course. They may try to get to the rail. You certainly wouldn't want to be caught wide. Most of the field look limited so the draw shouldn't be a problem but it doesn't mean to say it won't. [Non-runner]

Another filly to have shown a level of ability is Desirous. Ralph Beckett's daughter of Kingman was fancied on debut but disappointed. She was supported next start at Kempton but had no answer to the very attractive Dandhu (a big, strong filly who catches the eye). Last time out at Newmarket, this March foal lost by a head when her jockey dropped his reins, although didn't lack for effort in the closing stages when nabbed in the dying strides. Another horse with a high draw, but inside of Imperial Charm. A nice horse who looks straightforward and could lead. 

Pennywhistle has the burden of a win penalty which makes life harder, especially against these two winners in waiting. She has received a couple of significant entries this season for John Gosden. She ran well over course and distance on debut. Then ''pushed out'' to win in a small field second start. A disappointing effort in the Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3). She was quite fancied that day and far from an outsider so worth noting and ''eased'' when beaten. A better draw and another who could well head for the rails. 

Conclusion: This should be out of the three unless something of a surprise. I haven't told you much you didn't know. None of these look great value to me. So unless something drifts markedly in the betting I would sit and watch unless you have an each-way double. 

Desirous 4/6f 1st
Pennywhistle 100/30 3rd

Note: Desirous gave odds-on backers a fright but scrambled hope for a win. Pennywhistle put up a bold front-running show but tired in the closing stages but ran well in defeat under a penalty. 

* NR