Saturday's 2YO Update

Very busy. I will be travelling again this weekend back to West Palm Beach, Florida. I've got up extra early to detail today's info. 

1:30 Haydock - 

Sparkle Roll cost 750,000 euros. Expectations were high on debut but John Gosden's daughter of Kingman disappointed. The 2/1f looked very inexperienced, starting slowly and flashing her tail, ultimately finishing fifth, beaten six lengths. Bookmakers haven't given up on this horse and punters will be hoping to see more today.  

Mick Channon has a decent string of juveniles and Air Force Amy was set a real challenge on debut when running a gallant third behind a couple of talents. She was beaten many lengths at Beverley next start when Mot Juste cruised home. Air Force Amy wasn't suited by a wide draw and done well to beat the rest by four lengths. 

Other horses of note, Maamora has been given a Class 2 entry. This daughter of Dubawi finished behind Sparkle Roll on debut when backed from 13/2 - 7/2. Simon Crisford knows his stuff and I it's possible this filly disappointed that day and will run much better at respectable odds. 

Sparkle Roll 15/2 1st
Air Force Amy 8/1 3rd
Maamora 22/1 8th 

Conclusion: Sparkle Roll is likely to show more today, especially if strong in the betting. Maamora may have disappointed on debut and could be big odds. Difficult to assess in ways but interesting. Air Force Amy ran well on debut and may have been made to look worse than she is at Beverley. All three have claims. 

1:55 Ripon -

Three entrants here. Luxor and Fastman have proven their worth winning. They have to defy win penalties. As we have seen this season, it isn't easy to win with such a burden although true talents do. 

Just Be Friendly is interesting. On form she looks pretty moderate but that has been due to temperament. On both starts, this daughter of Toronado has pulled much too hard and ruined any hope of winning. No doubt this is the reason Bell has dropped back to 6f. That may well help although you get the feeling she needs seven furlongs but has failed to settle. Just Be Friendly may have each-way claims although temperamental horses can prove to be difficult to win. 

Fastman 11/8f 1st 
Just Be Friendly 9/2 2nd 
Luxor 2/1 3rd

2:00 Chester - 

Jensue has been noted by Tom Dascombe. 

2:40 Haydock - 

Horses of note: Drogon & Oak Park. 

Oak Park looked inexperienced on debut but was getting his act together at the death. Show improve for that first start and holds respectable each-way claims. 

Oak Park 15/2 6th 
Drogon 5/1 9th 

4:15 Newmarket - 

This looks a pretty hot contest. 

Imperial Charm is held in some regard by Simon Crisford. While Sunday Star disappointed on debut and then well backed at Goodwood when going close. To be honest, I wasn't happy with the ride given that day as the horse really should have won. 

*Truly Adored has been noted by Richard Hannon but will need to be pretty smart and primed to win on debut. 

Sunday Star 7/2 1st
Imperial Charm 6/4f 3rd 

* NR

4:50 Newmarket - 

Ralph Beckett has a fair string of juveniles this season. Desirous disappointed on debut but ran well next start behind Dandhu, who is a lovely, strong filly who has run well in Group class.  

Desirous 4/1 2nd 

Each way treble - 

1:55 Ripon - Just Be Friendly (7/1)
2:40 Haydock - Oak Park (5/1)
4:15 Newmarket - Sunday Star (7/2)

Saturday's 2YO Update

Well, yesterday was something quite exceptional. I will detail today's horses of significance but don't expect everyone to be a winner! 

We can only try, hey.

1:35 Ascot - 

We start off with a horse that's been detailed on our 10 Dark Horse Mailing. Charlie Appleby's Magical Illusion. This bay colt is a home-bred son of Dubawi is out of a talented mare in Pimpernel, which many of you may remember when trained by the disgraced Mahmood Al Zarooni. She won four races from eleven starts including a Listed race. Total prize earnings just under £100,000. Magical Illusion is definitely one of the better two-year-olds in the stable. Debutantes are never easy to assess but this April foal is likely to go well. 

Richard Hannon's Production won on debut and clearly held in some regard by connections. This British-bred son of Oasis Dream will appreciate a step up in distance. A win penalty does make life difficult. A good few horses have struggled to give weight away this season and if Magical Illusion is very classy it will be even more difficult. However, he is a proven winner with valuable experience and that counts for a lot. 

As usual, no hiding place. Repaupo has been noted by John Gosden. This American-bred son of Quality Road races in the familiar silks of George Strawbridge. He is homebred. Gosden's debutantes can go well when priced 13/2 & less SP. 

Fox Power is well respected in Hannon's stable A beaten favourite on both starts. 

Sheila's Showcase has been noted by Denis Coackly but has a stiff task with a winning penalty. 

In addition, Fox Leicester has been noted by Andrew Balding. Was quite fancied in the betting but ran no race on debut. Has been off course for one hundred plus days. A huge price but may be capable of better. 

Conclusion: This looks like a stiff race. Plenty of respected juveniles. Magical Illusion is well regarded and sure he has ability. Whether you want to bet at 6/4 is a matter of opinion. An intriguing race. 


2:00 Thirsk - 

Although not significantly entered, Lieutenant Silver has respectable win and place claims. Maybe of interest if available at each-way prices. 


2:10 Ascot - 

George Margarson doesn't have many two-year-olds in his string but Model Guest is a lovely filly who deserves to get a win under her belt. This daughter of Showcasing has run a number of sterling races. With an official rating of 93, she is a consistent type. 

Shambolic was made favourite on debut and won by a neck. Gosden has given this daughter of Shamardal a significant entry. Once again, life gets more difficult when shouldering a winning penalty. 

Air Force Amy has been entered for a Class 2 race, which gives an aspect of confident. However, very few of their debutantes win when priced over 8/1 SP. 

Conclusion: Doesn't look much value regarding the two favourites. I would take a watching brief.