1:45 Redcar -
A lowly Claiming Stakes. I hardly dare mention Elieden, trained by Gay Kelleway. This two-year-old has been given a few significant entries over the season but now target the bottom of the barrel. This bay daughter of Camacho is proving very hard work. I wouldn't advise a bet but detailing this juvenile simply because she is the only significant entry in the field. She was half fancied at Wolverhampton. A slow start, hampered and running wide on the bend, gave no chance at all. Stepping up to 7f. At least this is a straight course so it may give less opportunity to find problems. Ten starts and no wins don't impress. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Elieden 3/1 2nd
Note: Elieden proved she is just about up to winning a race but, still, not today. Ran a fair race in second. She isn't the biggest of horses but seemed to be unbalanced for most not sure if that was jockey or horse.
3:20 Redcar -
Andrew Balding's Fox Leicester has run twice this season. Fancied on debut when disappointing but showing much more second start at 20-1. A couple of Class 2 Stakes entries give some element of confidence although far from one of the better juveniles at Kingsclere. This 310,000 euro purchase races in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. This step up to one mile should help.
Hugo Palmer has Barend Boy. This gelding has raced eight times. Looked to have ability on debut when favourite but proved very unreliable this season. He did manage to win at nursery level when rated 79. At best, this son of Oasis Dream has some standard (proved by the highest official rating of 89). However, he didn't run very well at all last time out over one mile. That run must have been too bad to be true because Eeyore the donkey wouldn't have been that far afield. The visor has been applied. Another horse who has had a long season which always brings concern.
Fox Leicester 9/4 2nd
Barend Boy 28/1 5th
Note: Fox Leicester ran a sound race but couldn't match John Gosden's debutante who put in a classy display. Not a bad run in second place. Barend Boy led for a long way and wasn't disgraced in 5th place at 28/1.
4:05 Haydock -
William Haggas has had a fine two-year-old season. Plenty of winners. Coup De Gold has been noted by the stable but proven disappointing on two starts to date. A couple of placed efforts doesn't sound too bad but 10 lengths+ defeats don't sit so comfortable. This son of Maxios cost 155,000 euros at the yearling sales. Priced 3-1 on both runs. He is stepping up to one mile which may help. The betting suggests he is still fancied so punters haven't given up the ghost just yet. Many will be hoping that run was too bad to be true. It was soft going that day. I wondered if that was the reason! However, the going today is heavy. That in itself is enough to put me off. If strong in the betting, it would suggest better is expected. These disappointing horses are difficult. If they are short odds you are sucked into thinking they are decent but is that value? Conversely, if they are a huge price you have a price but figure little chance of success. Interesting. I'll be watching.
Coup De Gold 3/1 2nd
Note: Ran a fair race in second. Always looked uncomfortable hanging and looking an awkward ride. Not sure if it was the ground, but didn't seem very straightforward to me.
6:15 Newcastle -
These restricted auction races often make a good betting medium. Boston George is very interesting. Trained by Keith Dalgliesh, this bay colt is a son of Raven's Pass in the ownership of Weldspec Glasgow Ltd (who have some decent types with the stable). This March foal cost just $7,000 when purchased at the yearling sales. He ran well on debut when competing in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. In addition, he has received a couple more significant entries. He is held in some regard by connections. Looks to have respectable claims. Very unlikely to drift to each-way prices, but if it happened a very good bet.
Boston George 4/5f 1st
Note: Always going to be a hard horse to beat here. Not much of a price but a professional display to win well.
Just the three races today:
2:00 Hamilton -
Axel Jacklin has received a couple of entries from trainer Mark Johnston. He showed up well second time out at Newmarket when stepping up in distance. Finished fourth next start at Haydock, which looked a disappointing effort. However, the first two are probably fair types so may have run his race.
Tony Coyle's Broken Spear has been a consistent horse since an admirable second in the Brocklesby Stakes. He has been beaten by a number of talented juveniles and seems as good at 6f as the minimum trip. There's always a slight concern that a horse may regress after a few hard race (which they often turn out to be when placed) so worth being cautious at short odds although respected.
2:20 Wolverhampton -
Barend Boy looked the type of horse to lose his maiden tag with haste after a fine debut effort at Leicester. He didn't do much wrong when placed at Newmarket, stepping up to 6f. This son of Oasis Dream disappointed at Nottingham. He bucked when leaving the stalls which may have been a sign the saddle pinched. He traveled ok but tired quite tamely at the furlong pole and somewhat eased. It was a poor effort which leaves question marks. The form of the race is decent with the winner, Cool Exhibit, likely to go to Royal Ascot, while the second wasn't disgraced next time out. At best, Barend Boy has claims but you need to forgive a lackluster run, which may be a sign of regression.
Saeeb bin Suroor will be hoping this season is better than last; it can't be worse. Burj is the only two-year-old from his string to receive entries to date. This bay son of Dansili ran well on debut at Newbury when placed third. He is a professional type who looks sure to run his race. A leading player.
6:00 Kempton -
Ralph Beckett does pretty well with his two-year-old debutantes at Kempton. Cruck Railie is a 60,000G yearling purchase. Interesting to note she was given a significant entry a few weeks ago so may be one of the stable's better fillies. A prime draw may be a blessing if well educated. Worth noting if backed.
6:10 Wetherby -
Missed this race at the time. Pink Flamingo had been given two or three entries and looked well fancied around even money with bookmakers. Could hold the winning Cocoabala who shouldered a penalty and showed a much better attitude today compared with last time out when getting hot and bothered.
Just a couple of races.
1:50 Nottingham -
Hugo Palmer has been relatively quite this season. Barend Boy was a touch ring rusty on debut but finished with real verve. He stayed at 5f when heading to Newmarket and was far from disgraced when finishing third. The second horse that day, Fly The Nest, seemingly disappointed next start which makes the form a little more difficult to assess. However, the form of that first run looks fair and this step up in distance should bring improvement. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes Stakes but didn't take that opportunity.
Dixieland has run two times but not shown a great deal of ability. He was hampered on debut and although not beaten far at Doncaster it was a slightly disappointing effort. This son of Red Jazz was well backed that day and, perhaps, under performed. Time will tell. Connection are stepping up to 6f for the first time. I imagine they are hoping this will help.
My Dear Friend was very keen on debut at Salisbury when starting favourite. A good-looking colt who cost a decent sum. Could well prove positive today.
Karl Burke's juveniles are either limited or been out of form. Most have looked disappointing. Swissterious is a son of Swiss Spirit and a £44,000 yearling buy. The betting suggests he either needs the run of limited. In his favour, he received a Class 2 Stakes entry, just one of two horses to be noted by the trainer.
2:10 Chepstow -
Rod Millman's Lady Wolf wasn't fancied on debut when finished seventh. The form of the race has been franked and the first four look up to winning. Stepping up to 6f is a positive. The stable do pretty well at this course so may have some chance. Popping Corks was one place ahead for Richard Hannon.