Let's take a look at today's race action.
12:20 Doncaster -
Night Secret has received a single Class 2 entry for William Haggas. It details a horse of interest but far from the better juveniles in the stable. Ran ok on debut but disappointed (most likely ran race) next start at Newmarket. Has a fighting chance.
Clive Cox has a few decent sorts in his string. Unless *Eligible has disappointed on both starts to date he looks a limited son of Dark Angel. The significant entry may have been a mistake. This Irish-bred cost a pretty penny at 130,000 G at the yearling sales (cost more at foal). Ninth on debut. Even worse at Newmarket. Priced 28/1, but really needs a stick of dynamite up its ass. If is it has ability, connections are likely to be focusing on the nursery route. Dropping back in trip. Struggled to go the pace last time over 7f. Best watched.
Night Secret 7/2 2nd
Note: Eligible a non-runner. Night Secret ran well in second but not the class of the runaway winner Dazzling Dan.
12:55 Doncaster -
One of just a couple of two-year-olds James Bethell gave significant entries to this year. He is a very talented trainer who could do with some ammunition. Good to see Edgewood is in the ownership of David Armstrong, who could transform this stable as a loyal patron. This bay colt is a son of Garswood. This horse was nibbled at in the betting on debut at Leicester but relatively unfancied. Interesting that Jamie Spencer was onboard that day. The way this February foal ran, he needed the experience. There was significant money for Edgewood on his second start at Redcar. Once again, he took an age to get going - crawling back ground at the line to lose by a neck. You have to slightly question this drop back to 6f. Perhaps the trainer knows best?
Edgewood 5/1 1st
Note: Edgewood coped with the drop in distance in a tight finish. Nice to see this colt get his head in front.
5:00 Chelmsford -
Charlie Appleby has done pretty well this season with his two-year-olds. True Belief with start at prohibitive odds. This Irish-bred son of Excelebration cost £95,000 at the yearling sales. Ran well enough when a beaten favourite on debut at York. Flopped the second start when contesting the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom. He was fancied to go well that day but finished last. Was slow away and then much too keen. There must have been an issue to have been off course such a long time unless he was given time to strengthen up with a winter campaign in mind. Worthy of respect.
Interesting to see John Ryan's Battle Of Waterloo. Well, I say that although I am slightly fed up writing about this horse considering I was writing like Oscar Wilde when this beast was a non-runner when withdrawn at Newmarket due to soft ground. I really should cut and paste from the last post! (Joke). I never lack words about horses. Didn't do much on debut, perhaps showing a little bit of ability for a fleeting moment. Then, back like money was going out of fashion at Yarmouth. I don't know what was going on there. Ciaran Fallon (appreciate) either went much too fast or the horse ran off with gusto. Either way, it was there one moment and gone the next - tailed off. Interesting to see what might happen today but I'd take a watching brief. The only hope could be betting at 16/1+ and hope another gambler ensues. However, you may be wiser to just watch and learn.
Battle Of Waterloo 10/1 1st
True Belief 4/5f 5th
Note: What can I say? Even when I question the info it goes and wins easily at huge odds [16/1 early]. It really doesn't get any better than this. True Belief drifted in the betting and may have gone a touch too fast and paid the price. No more info coming on this page, so if you want to know the real talents contact me jason@professionalgamblers.co.uk
5:30 Chelmsford -
Mark Johnston fields Massam who has won twice in six starts. This son of Dubawi put in two wins and then stepped up to Group 3 [relatively fancied] but finished last. A fair juvenile with an official rating of 95 and total earning over £20,000.
Massam 6/4 2nd
Note: Massam led for all the way but couldn't hold off the late finish of Spanish Mission.
Thanks for all your support (but that's it for Group Horse - all future posts will be retrospective).