Racing Tips (1st June)

Another busy day and not feeling 100% so will try to keep this short and sweet. As always, we will be detailing the significantly entered two-year-olds. 

The Investec EBF Woodcote Stakes (2:00 Epsom) is the highlight of the racing but as all of these horses are significantly entered we will not look too closely here. The understanding being that we are looking for horses in less competitive races. 

6:20 Bath - 

Anthem Of Peace hasn't achieved much in two starts. Meehan thought enough of this colt to enter him for the Lily Agnes Stakes. He was exceptionally keen on debut at Windsor when cruising to the front and tiring quickly. Things didn't go right at Chester. Priced at 25/1, it isn't beyond the realms this horse has ability. Without question, he needs to settle. If touching huge odds on the exchanges may be worth a small win bet. 

Clive Cox does well at this course and High Horse hasn't done anything wrong in both starts to date. His debut effort over course and distance was decent. He was simply beaten by a better horse on the day. Just half a length separated the first three at Salisbury when he finished third.Not much of a price - but the horse to beat. 

Thegreyvtrain has plenty of pace and the best of his form is a second at Kempton. He ran in the Lily Agnes Stakes but finished last. Looks unlikely to win although may lead for a furlong or two. 

7:10 Goodwood 

Interesting to see Brelade's Bay making her return after a month off course. She was outpaced when making her debut at Kempton. Turning courses are never ideal for debutantes and she was quickly outpaced but plugged on in the closing stages. Micheal Bell gave her a significant entry. This daughter of Footstepsinthesand was fancied in the betting and looks to be held in some hope here today. This extra furlong will be a positive and I would expect a bolder show from a good draw. The betting is key. if priced 13/2 & less SP would bring greater confidence. If weak, I would take a watching brief. 

Popping Cork has been given a significant entry. This drop down to auction class will be a touch easier.  

Tuesday's Racing Update (1st May)

Five two-year-old races for Tuesday. Still a lot of testing going which has been a factor all season. 

I will detail the horses with significant entries.

2:00 Nottingham - 

Fillies' Novice stakes over 5f 8y on soft going. 

Just the one entry here being Richard Hannon's Spell. This Irish-bred daughter of Slade Power is worth noting. 

NR: Spell

2:10 Yarmouth - 

A Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) over 5f 42y on good to soft going,

George Scott's Usain Boat didn't cost a fortune at the yearling sales [23,000 euros]. However, this Irish-bred of Casamento has been noted by the trainer. A good jockey booking, too. Hard Forest is one of a few juveniles given a significant entry by Mark Johnston. This daughter of Hard Spun is the only filly in the line up but a horse with plenty of pace. The drying ground may be in her favour. To be fair, she has looked a slightly short runner on both starts but her experience will most likely see her lead. If running to the line - or gaining an easy lead - should go close. From a statistical point of view Artair is interesting. Michael Bell doesn't have many early two-year-olds and this colt was fancied on debut at Windsor. He was held up but made smooth headway (touched short prices in-running) before being outpointed in the final furlong by Blown by Wind, who is a fair horse. This looks a competitive little field. Intriguing race. 

Conclusion: Hard Forest is a fair juvenile and most blast clear of the field and hope to hold on. Artair doesn't have any entries but on stats has pretty strong claims. Usain Boat could be the surprise package.  

1st Artair 11/10f
2nd Usain Boat 9/2 

2:20 Brighton - 

A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f 60y on good to soft going. 

No horses with significant entries. 

5:45 Kempton - 

A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on standard going. 

Ten two-year-olds take part. It's The Only Way ran out a tidy winner on debut and a good-looking colt. Has to give away weight with a penalty. Wolf Hunter has been given a significant entry by Richard Hughes but showed nothing on debut. Best watched. Sylvester Kirk's Wolstonbury was noted by the trainer and run in a hot Newbury maiden.This son of Kodiac showed an element of ability before the three leaders left the rest standing. Probably capable of better but need to show more. Quite interested in Michael Bell's Brelade's Bay. This daughter of Footstepsinthesand cost £20,000 at the breeze-up sales. Well drawn in stall two. Interesting. Tom Clover had a winning debutante at Windsor and a capable trainer. Rajy is a bay daughter of Society Rock and £19,00 yearling purchase. The fact she was given a significant entry speaks well. A horse that may slip under the radar. A wide draw isn't ideal. 

Conclusion: It's The Only Way should go well even with a penalty. Brelade's Bay is definitely of interest and I can see her running well. Rajy is another worth noting for the future. A wide draw makes life difficult. 

1st It's The Only Way 11/10f
2nd Um Shama 16/1 
3rd Dolly Dupree 25/1

6:15 Kempton - 

An EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes over 5fon standard going.

A couple of significant entrants here with the once-raced Chynna and Ed Walker's On the Stage. The former ran well on debut at Newmarket. The form of that race has been franked although not the easiest to make sense. On The Stage is a home bred daughter of Swiss Spirit in the familiar silks of Lordship Stud. 

1st On The Stage 3/1 
2nd Thegreytrain 80/1
3rd Chynna 9/4