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
Plenty of class 2yo races to consider today.
Here is list to recap:
1:50 Newmarket (G)
2:05 York (N)
2:25 Newmarket (G)
3:15 York
3:35 Newmarket (G)
4:45 Newmarket
5:00 York
5:20 Newmarket
6:15 Wolverhampton (S)
7:45 Wolverhampton
Key: (G) Group race, (N) Nursery & (S) Selling race
We don't consider Group races as betting races (rarely) but simply enjoy them as a conclusion to the two-year-old journey for many quality horses (that we detail throughout the year).
3:15 York -
A Class 3 race so a good number of these are likely to have been given significant entries at some point. I am writing and reviewing at the same time - so we will see!
Exalted Angel was noted by Group Horse Daily before making her debut for Karl Burke. Starting her career over 5f at Nottingham, saw a pleasing first start. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel ran well, closing nicely in the final furlong. Inexperience may well have cost her victory that day. This February foal should be wiser today. From a statistical point has very good each-way claims.
Decent price money going here so there is likely to be some opposition.
Richard Hannon's Spell is quite well regarded. She ran well on debut when narrowly foiled. Beaten at Listed class over course and distance. This Irish-bred daughter of Slade Power was outpaced but run on well that day. She had a prime draw at Kempton when stepping up to 6f. Travelled well and clung to the rail but was caught at the furlong pole. It was a slightly disappointing effort in ways. Considering Spell had been off course since early May it is possible she was in need of the run.
Broken Spear has been very busy this season. A true speedster, this gelding has run nine times and achieved one win when scooting clear by seven lengths. He has been a credit to Tony Coyle and been placed on numerous occasions. Most recently, far from disgraced at Listed class. Coming back to stakes class means having the win penalty as a burden which doesn't help matters. Likely to lead and hope to steal a few easy lengths, trying to hold on to grim death.
Tim Easterby does well at this course. Arletta Star was entered for a Listed race earlier in the year but didn't take that race. She wasn't fancied on debut but ran with some promise in fifth. Then beaten pretty easily into third by a couple of decent sorts over 6f at Haydock. Interesting to see this horse drop back in trip. Needs to find a lot of improvement but I do get the impression connections think she has some ability.
Conclusion: An interesting race. Exalted Angel has a decent chance and if an each-way price worthy of respect. Spell is difficult to assess. She may be better than seen as connections must think a bit of her. Broken Spear will do well to defy the win penalty. Probably set the pace and tire in the closing furlong. While Arletta Star needs to find a lot of improvement. A couple of other form horses [Angel Alexander & Skeetah] make it a race of some depth.
Broken Spear 4/1 1st
Angel Alexander 11/8f 2nd
Spell 7/1 3rd
Arletta Star 25/1 6th
Note: Broken Spear showed his pace and literally had the opposition on the ropes. A great performance under a penalty. Spell ran on well but needs a stiffer course. Exalted Angel proved disappointing.
4:45 Newmarket -
Charlie Hills has noted Rhossili Down. She ran well behind the ultra-talented Fashion's Star (who we noted in advance of debut).
Rhossili Down 11/2 9th
Note: Rhossili Down didn't do much. Interesting to see if she bounces back next start as this looks too bad to be true.
5:00 York -
Ralph Beckett has been in good form with his juveniles. Sam Cooke ran well on debut when beaten by a fair talent in Artois. Punters were left reeling when he was beaten by Ticklish at 2/5f. The pair beat the third by over ten lengths so it may have been the case Mark Johnston's winner is fair. That race was at auction class, as is this, so it should give plenty of opportunities to hit the frame.
Couldn't help but smile when I noticed Cadeau D'Amour running. Richard Fahey's son of Camacho was entered for the Brocklesby Stakes. See, how many people could tell you that piece of information? He cost £35,000 at the yearling sales. Now in the ownership of Middleham Park.
Sam Cooke 2/1 1st
Cadeau D'Amour 25/1 unp
Note: Sam Cooke had shown a level of ability and enjoyed a tidy success.
5:20 Newmarket -
William Haggas has Night Secret. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel looked in need of the experience on debut. Been entered for a Class 2 stakes race which gives some confidence although far from the best in the stable.
Another filly with a similar entry is Richard Hannon's Star Of War. A big price on debut at Leicester behind stablemate Canton Queen. Ran a great race when stepping up to one mile at this course three weeks ago. The first two beat the rest well. She lost on the nod after a sustained battle with Peter Chapple-Hyam's Sh Boom. Interesting to see how this drop back in distance goes.
Star Of War 5/1 5th
Night Secret 10/1 8th
Note: Night Secret was very weak in the betting which suggested she wasn't good enough. Star Of War ran a respectable race.
6:15 Wolverhampton -
We don't, generally, take much notice of Selling races. Often it is to do with time so you should keep checking yourself. A couple of noted entrants. Bill Turner's Arthur's Spirit. Interesting to see Gay Kellway has Elieden still trying to get that first win after nine starts. Will it be tenth time lucky?
Elieden 5/1 8th
Arthur's Spirit 12/1 9th
Note: Elieden was slow away, bumped and then ran wide. No chance. Maybe capable of winning at this grade if/when something goes right. Arthur's Secret was very weak in the betting and out of form.
A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on Standard going.
Quite a restricted race type which favours form horses. Jungle Inthebungle was noted by us on debut and hung on by a short head from Lady Prancealot who won in ready fashion on her second start. Kingi Compton ran well enough in fourth place. Mick Channon's winner has to carry a win penalty but that is negated in some respects by the apprentice jockey.
Geography Teacher ran in the Brocklesby Stakes, which gives some interest. This daughter of Bungle Inthejungle was well backed that day but showed little. The only hope would be that she struggled on the soft ground, injured or needed the run. Roger Fell isn't the first trainer to come to mind with two-year-olds but today should show what she is all about. Interesting if backed, as it would give a little more confidence. I would take a watching brief.
Bill Turner sent Arthur's Spirit to contest the Brocklesby, as race he often sends his best two-year-old. He was kind of fancied in the betting but faded and beaten a long way by the time he got to the finishing line. However, there was money for his second start at Southwell and proved that first run was all wrong. He touched big odds on at Southwell before being reeled in by Richard Faheys Mr Buttons. This colt has fair pace - if last time is to be believed - and from a low draw is likely to lead. The apprentice remains, taking off a handy 7lb. Slightly difficult to assess the merit of the form on that last start as two horses left the others standing and they didn't look too good. Should give a bold show.
Dancing On A Dream is trained by Mark Johnston but didn't cost a great deal. Always a trainer to be respected. This horse has no significant entries at this time and simply mentioned for reference.
Conclusion: Disappointing there are just two places for each way betting as Arthur's Spirit may have claims. I can imagine connections trying to lead and if betting it may be wise to lay in running at short odds just in case he is collared late on. Jungle Inthebungle ran well to win on debut and looks professional. I would take a watching brief.
An EBF Novice Stakes over 5f (4f 214y) on Standard going.
Eight two-year-olds take part: two once raced and field of debutantes. Three fillies take on the colts.
Arthur's Spirit & Haats Off made their debut in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. The former, trained by Bill Turner, who often sends his best juvenile to contest this race, failed to shine. This son of Swiss Spirit was relatively fancied in the betting at odds of 10/1. He showed fair speed before fading into eighth. On that performance, there is little to sing about. The other side of the coin, the ground was testing and horses can often disappoint on debut. I would imagine connections expected more. Turner usually tells it is as it is so pre-race thoughts may reveal they are still hopeful. Best take a watching brief although not impossible to show more.
Haats Off is a chestnut daughter of Haatef. Brian Barr isn't known for having smart juveniles and reason she was 66/1. In truth, this January foal showed excellent pace before tiring at the furlong pole. I imagine they went a little too fast although the soft ground may have been the cause of her downfall. With experience onside, connections may blast from the stalls and gain a lead. Whether she will hold that pace to the line is the gamble.
Brian Barr's Brahma Kamal was entered to run in the Brocklesby but withdrawn most likely due to the soft going. This bay colt cost 14,000G at the yearling sales.
Interesting to see how Robyn Brisland's string goes this season. He had a few fair juveniles last year. Insanto was similarly entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take part. This son of Charm Spirit and cost just 2,500G. The mare enjoyed a trip.
Ontoawinner and Karl Burke are no stranger to success. Majestic Appeal is worthy of note, especially if fancied in the betting. This April foal is a son of Heeraat and 20,000E yearling purchase by the trainer. One for the shortlist.
Two trainers who can hit the floor running are Richard Fahey and David Evans.
North Korea is a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle out of a multiple-winning mare who prevailed on debut. A relatively cheap yearling purchase at just 5,500E. Evans is never the easiest of trainers to assess on debut. They can go very well or fail to shine. The betting is the best guide.
Richard Fahey is a trainer to respect with debutantes. His racing club do pretty well, so it is worth noting Mr Buttons. This son of Elzaam cost 21,000G at the yearling sales. The stable had the third in the Brocklesby, which gives them form with Haats Off and Arthur's Spirit.
Tony Coyle had the second in the Brocklesby, with a fair sort in Brocken Spear. *Maggies Passion is a bay daughter of Sir Percy. The mare enjoyed a trip so may need further in time.
Conclusion: A race to watch. A couple of form horses from the Brocklesby Stakes. Haats Off showed good pace but difficult to assess in some ways. Arthur's Spirit showed little but may be better simply because Turner often sends his better horses to compete in the race he debuted. Of the unraced, Majestic Appeal is worthy of interest from a stable who can go well on their racecourse bow. Mr Buttons hails from a stable who know the time of day and form lines with the two raced. North Korea is another from a trainer who can shine and if backed would bring added confidence. This doesn't look the strongest of heats. I'll be taking a watching brief.
NR: Maggies Passion