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.
Just a couple of races at York. I'm actually looking at the races as I write this, using Group Horse 2018.
I say this to show the working practice. It isn't difficult to do this work yourself. I say this not so much to save myself time but for readers to learn and familiarise themselves with the horses.
I know most people don't do this but I can tell you now, you will appreciate a lot more if you do.
3:25 York -
7f Judith Marshall Memorial British EBF Stallions Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Sire/Dam-Restricted) (Class 3) (2yo)
Going: Good to soft
Runners: 10
Significantly entered horses: Ventura Ocean
Analysis: Just the one entrant noted by the trainer. Richard Fahey's Ventura Ocean is a son of Raven's Pass out of an unraced mare. In the familiar silks of Middleham Park Racing. This February foal is a talented juvenile who hasn't done much wrong in four starts. He finished runner-up on his first two starts, then won at Pontefract when stepping up to 7f. More recently, contesting the Tattersall Acomb Stakes (Group 3). He wasn't disgraced in seventh place. A leading chance here. These win penalties make life difficult for even talented juveniles. I must admit, I find them a thorn in the side. The horse to beat but not my idea of a bet simply because I think these penalties are more difficult to defy than realised.
4:30 York -
5½f (5f89y) Sha. Intelligent Ideas That Get Results British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 3) (2yo)
Going: Good to soft
Runners: 10
Significantly entered horses: *Little Legs, Broken Spear, Fastman, Three Card Trick & Baldwin.
Analysis: Being a Class 3 race with respectable prize money a good few of these have significant entries.
I'd take a watching brief.
* NR
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.
I will try to keep this short and sweet.
Three two-year-old races. I will detail those with significant entries and give a brief thought or two.
1:45 Ripon -
5f Novice Auction Stakes on good to soft going. Nine two-year-olds take part. A mix of trainers.
The two form horses both have significant entries: Kinks, who won last time out after showing up well on debut at Kempton. Mick Channon has better juveniles than the previous few years. This son of Sixties Icon is a professional horse who is likely to lead and try and hold on.
Tony Coyle has sent out a few two-year-olds this season but the best of the lot looks to be Broken Spear who proved something of a surprise when contesting the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. This bay gelding was a 33/1 shot but ran a sterling race and only beaten three-quarters of a length. Hasn't been seen for 30+ days, which gives the impression it was due to the gelding operation. Always a slight concern why that was needed. Perhaps he had been a touch unruly since that debut effort.
Neither horse offer great value at their prices although these race type usually go to form horses which they are the only two.
2:15 Leicester -
No significantly entered two-year-olds at the time of writing. By all accounts an interesting race. I am pretty sure Evans rates Awake In Asia. While True Mason is well owned and cost a lot at the yearling sales.
5:45 Doncaster -
5f 3y EBF Maiden Stakes on soft going
Just the one significantly entered juvenile here for Mark Johnston. No Lippy is one of two fillies in this six-strong field. This British-bred daughter of Oasis Dream is well bred and a bargain buy at 44,000 euros. Related to a Listed race winner. Interesting.
After a long wait Group Horse is back into action with the new Flat turf season. You will notice we have a new page: Group Horse 2018.
I'm sure a few of our regulars enjoyed watching the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. It is good to see this noted two-year-old race start the juvenile season which isn't always the case. There will be winners come from these entrants/runners. Izzer was very well backed for Mick Channon. The stable hadn't won this race since before 1988. The stable seemed confident as he was backed from 14/1 - 4/1. This son of Clodovil liked the soft going and burst to the front if not a little too early by his jockey's comments. He is likely to go forward although will have the burden of a win penalty.
The second placed, Broken Spear looks a decent sort physically and defied the 33/1 odds for Tony Coyle's stable who can spring a surprise.
We have updated a number of potentially smart juveniles who have been entered for the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. Interesting, that 6 two-year-olds were entered but not raced. In addition, we have a Class 2 race at Newcastle which could well feature a few smart horses considering the race is worth £12,000+.
This is just a starting point and entries will be added throughout the season. All you have to do is take a look. I will try to detail a few betting opportunities this season so keep looking at the website on a daily basis.
I notice a couple of people cancelled their subscription last year and they will be removed in the next couple of weeks. If you wish to resubscribe then please contact me at jason@professionalgamblers.co.uk for more information.
The standard of horse detailed last season was worth every penny of subscription so people either keep up subscription or will be removed.
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