Monday's 2YO Update

Four two-year-old races to consider. I will - for the most part - be detailing the significantly-entered juveniles. 

1:55 Beverley - 

Carey Street - trained by John Quinn - looked to be well beaten in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. However, he ran out a decent winner at Pontefract. A seven pound penalty will make life more difficult. Looks the type to lead and try to hold on. 



2:15 Bath - 

A number of significantly entered juveniles and form horses. Lady Wolf is a big price for Rod Millman. He does pretty well at this course and can win at big odds so worthy of some respect even at 33-1. Popping Corks doesn't look overly fancied in the betting but noted by the trainer. Similarly, Richard Hughes Queen Shaahd is one of a few juveniles noted by the ex jockey. The betting suggests form horses are favoured. Karalini was a short price on debut at Windsor. A good-looking filly. The prize on debut looks significant and the form of that race hasn't turned out too bad. In addition, there was a lot to like about John Quinn's Signora Cabello. She is a sturdy-looking filly with some size and strength. The first five beat the rest of the field at Beverley by a fair distance. She will improve for that debut and should hit the frame. An interesting race in ways with the two form horses and a few debutantes who may have a glimmer of ability at prices. 

2:30 Beverley - 

A couple of significant entries here with twice-raced Wasntexpectingthat, who hit the frame on debut when contesting the Brocklesby. Richard Fahey's charge looked to have a great opportunity on his second start at Thirsk. However, the champagne corks were popping from halfway when Vintage Krug blasted clear of the field for Tim Easterby. Wasntexpectingthat is a professional horse and the type to run his race. The form of the Brocklesby has been franked so this looks within his compass if not being vulnerable to a smarter type. Tom Dascombe has been giving a few two-year-olds entries for the Lily Agnes Stakes which takes place this week at Chester. Five Helmets is one of five juveniles entered for the Lily Agnes. He is taking this route, which is probably a blessing. One of the more interesting horses here. Big Ace doesn't have any significant entries at present but ran well at Pontefract on debut from a wide draw and ran wide most of the way. 


4:00 Bath - 

Ginger Nut has been relatively fancied on both starts to date. She definitely went a stride too fast last time out at Salisbury in the testing ground. This going will be more suiting and I would expect a bold show. If drifting to each-way prices must show more today. Five Amarones has been given a couple of entries from Tom Dascombe. This bay colt was fancied on debut at Pontefract but not best away. He ran on well and will improve. Should figure. Richard Hughes has another entered juvenile making his debut. Swiss Pride is worth noting although the trainer is difficult to asses at times. Clevedon ran in the Brocklesby but achieved little. 

Conclusion: Ginger Nut and Five Amerones look decent prospects and unless Swiss Pride is better than not should fight it out. 

Monday's Update: Pontefract

2:10 Pontefract - 5f 3y on good to soft going.

A sizable field with eleven two-year-olds: two with racecourse experience. Both given significant entries with Carey Street running in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes, while Bengali Spirit was earmarked for that race but started his campaign at Musselburgh. 

Carey Street is trained by John Quinn who does well with his juveniles often going well at this Yorkshire course. This British-bred gelding is a son of Bungle Inthejungle cost 13,000 euros at the yearling sales. He wasn't overly fancied on debut at Doncaster, finishing fifth of thirteen. The form of the Brocklesby has been franked a few times which gives greater hope. I can imagine Carey Street making the most of that experience, fitter and wiser for that debut. This stiffer course may be of help too. At first thoughts, the tissue price of 7/2 doesn't look to offer too much value although with so many debutantes it may depend on who is in the field. 

The other horse, Begali Spirit, one of three entrants for Richard Fahey, while just Wasntexpectingthat ran in the Brocklesby who finished a creditable third then beaten runner-up at Thirsk on Saturday to a sparkling winner called Vintage Krug. Bengali Spirit is a British-bred son of Garswood who cost just 10,000G at the yearling sales. He started his campaign at Musselburgh in a three-horse race. It is difficult to assess that contest although the winner won well and must have a level of ability, while Mark Johnston's I Am A Dreamer - who was the only horse for the trainer to receive a Brocklesby entry - started 1/1f. He finished third just under a length behind Begali Spirit. I Am A Dreamer ran creditable when beaten into fourth place at Newmarket. It was a fair effort but shows a little bit of limitation although gives some merit to Bengali Spirit here.

Conclusion: These two horses are drawn close to each other and may play follow my leader. Carey Street didn't show the best form on debut but open to improvement while Bengali Spirit ran well enough and should progress too. I would have to take a watching brief.