Tuesday's 2YO Update (16th October)

3:35 Leicester - 

Sometimes talented horses look pretty poor on debut. That was certainly the case for Clive Cox's Red Armada who didn't show much ability on debut over course and distance. Group Horse Daily detailed this son of Invincible Spirit. He wasn't disgraced but didn't set the world alight when finishing fourth of seven at odds of 14/1. I didn't know what to think second start at Ascot. Considering this colt cost 120,000 euros at the yearling sales and had been given a significant entry I hadn't lost faith but wouldn't have bet beyond a speculative poke. This April foal ran very well finishing second to Prince Eiji who is a class juvenile. He lost by half a length but clear of the third. Interesting why he hasn't been seen for a few weeks. There was a lot to like about that performance. If touching each-way prices looks a good bet to hit the frame. 

Red Armada 7/2 3rd

Note: The favourite won well. Red Armada was stuck behind horses and lost place manoeuvring. Ran on with purpose but should have gone a lot closer. Only just got going at the line in third. Worth noting next start.   

4:05 Leicester - 

Richard Hannon has given Come On Leicester an unending list of significant entries. In fact, this bay daughter of Kodiac has received no less than eighteen. She has achieved one win from seven starts. As those entries state, she has been highly tried racing at pattern class four times. She was meant to make that five but withdrawn at Haydock when the going turned heavy. Come On Leicester has run well at Group class so this is a marked drop in class. Considering all five horses here have won before, the win penalty is negated. I would imagine Hannon has been disappointed that this 360,000 guineas breeze-up purchase hasn't won at the highest level. With a rating of 94, this looks a fine opportunity. 

As always, there are no easy races. This Class 3 race details a few live wires. 

Mick Channon has been in great form all season. Gospel is lightly raced. She won by a neck on debut before heading to Ireland at Listed class. A creditable run in seventh but beaten less than five lengths. Once again, one of the better fillies in the stable. 

Aquarius is a big price. Michael Appleby must have had high hopes for this Irish-bred daughter of Charm Spirit won on debut. She has been outclassed since. 

Come On Leicester 9/4 1st 
Gospel 6/4f 2nd
Aquarius 16/1 5th 

Note: Come On Leicester made the most of this drop in class and showed her class. A nice performance by a horse which drifted markedly in the betting.   

6:15 Kempton - 

Interesting to see one of few juveniles noted by Charlie Fellows. Thanks Be was priced 20/1 on debut at Newbury over 7f. It was a very stiff race won by Fashion's Star, trained by Roger Charlton, and detailed by Group Horse as a real superstar. This daughter of Makhadram looks a good breeze-up purchase at 65,000 guineas. Beaten less than five lengths that day. A prime draw and dropping back a furlong. Fellows is a decent trainer with a small string of two-year-olds. He usually makes the most of his chances and this filly should go well.  

Thanks Be 4/1 5th  

Note: Tried to make the most from a low draw by leading. Looked to hold every chance coming into the final furlong but went backwards fast as the favourite sauntered by. Probably ran it's race in 5th but a disappointing effort in ways. 

Monday's 2YO Racing Update

A few races today. 

Here's a quick rundown. 

1:20 Lingfield - 

No Way Jose is one of few horses Brian Meehan has entered this season. Ran well on both starts and unlucky last time out when stuck behind horses. A recent Lowther Stakes (Group 2) entry adds to confidence. Well drawn.

Charlie Fellows has been relatively quiet this two-year-old season. His two talents are both owned by Highclere Thoroughbreds Racing. Readers may remember Snazzy who has been highly tried after winning well on debut. Sibirica was fancied on debut but disappointed. There was an issue that day. I had my eye on this filly because she was entered for the Hilary Needler but didn't take that route. This daughter of Exceed And Excel was well backed last time out from 50/1 - 20/1. She contested the race finishing behind No Way Jose. This chestnut filly ran on with purpose at Newmarket. Interesting how she copes with this turning course. Perhaps a step up in distance may help. It is possible she will progress from that last start and could show more. 

1:30 Ayr - 

*Magical Wish was placed very well on debut by Richard Hannon. In fact, I suspect connections were very surprised he didn't take the spoils although doing little wrong defeated by short head. Second start saw the other side of the coin when winning by a nose. A win penalty makes live more difficult. the apprentice takes off a valuable 3lb. 

* NR

5:10 Wolverhampton - 

A nursery race. Just the one horse entered being Wolf Hunter. Richard Hughes' charge has shown glimmers of ability even racing at selling class. The hood is fitted for the first time. A 64 rating is pretty low detailing a horse of plating class. Not the easiest of races to assess. 

5:45 Wolverhampton - 

Rockin Roy has been a consistent type. A couple of wins, placed twice and a creditable performance at Royal Ascot when contending the Windsor Castle Listed race. A win penalty will make life harder but the type of horse to hold every chance at 2/5f. 

Robert Cowell's So Hi Speed ran well second start and even traveled to France when behind winning stablemate Pocket Dynamo. This American-bred son of Central Banker disappointed at Chepstow. Interesting to consider if there was an issue that day because it seemed a dismal effort. There is a chance he has regressed. This turning 5f may well suit. He showed good pace on the all-weather at Chelmsford. Has something to prove. The visor has been applied most likely to bring improvement.

6:05 Windsor - 

Across The Sea is interesting. She has been fancied on both starts to date. James Tate doesn't have too many entered juveniles and this daughter of Dubawi looked to have a great chance of winning at Kempton. She looked to hold every hope but tired quickly in the final furlong. She was keen that day and that definitely took its toll. This drop back to the minimum trip may be a good move. Interesting to see if she has enough pace to sit in a handy position. 

6:40 Windsor - 

John Gosden has Kessar running here. Ran well on debut at York when narrowly beaten. Disappointed when dropping in distance at Royal Ascot. The hood has been applied for the first time. Should enjoy this easier task.