Just the one race and significant entry going today.
5:45 Chelmsford -
A big, old field of fifteen two-year-olds.
Charlie Hills has had a decent season with his juveniles. I think he has around 19 horses receive significant entries. One of those is New Queen, who was given a Listed race entry and, by all accounts, disappointed at that grade when competing at on her start at Newmarket. This Irish-bred daughter of Charm Spirit races in the silks of Qatar Racing Ltd. The mare, Air Biscuit, won three times when trained by Chris Wall, although a limited horse she did conclude her racing at Listed class (beaten a long way).
New Queen has raced 7 times. She went well on debut at Bath when runner-up to the smart Signora Cabello. However, beaten at 4/9f second start when little went right for punters. In general, she is a consistent horse who has run well twice on the all-weather (Kempton).
Interesting to see how she gets on returning after 40-days. A wide draw isn't ideal on a turning course.
New Queen 14/1 8th
Note: Wasn't fancied in the betting. A wide draw wasn't ideal. Travelled pretty when but tired rapidly in the final furlong. Interesting to see what happens next start.
A tiring week. Need a rest. But let's see what we have going for Saturday.
More top-class racing:
1:50 Newmarket (L)
2:25 Newmarket (G)
2:40 York (L)
3:00 Newmarket (G)
3:50 York (N)
4:15 Newmarket (N)
4:25 York
5:45 Chelmsford
6:15 Chelmsford
4:25 York -
A few entered juveniles going here. Tom Dascombe has Jonah Jones, who is definitely one of the better two-year-olds in the stable. Wasn't disgraced at Listed class last time when fourth. Dropping back in trip. Needs to defy the win penalty.
Charlie Hills has one of his big guns running in the shape of Qutob. A very well entered horse who has gone close when runner-up on two starts. A talented son of Acclamation who deserves respect. No shame in being second best to Converter last time out.
Marco Botti hasn't had much to crow about with his two-year-olds this season. This is detailed by the fact he has just two entrants. *Fares Kodiac won by a nose on debut at 16/1. Far from disgraced when unplaced at Class 2. Another horse who needs to defy a win penalty.
*NR
Jonah Jones 6/5f 1st
Qutob 3/1 3rd
Note: Jonah Jone wins defying a penalty. Qutob ran ok in third.
5:45 Chelmsford -
Simon Crisford fields the twice-raced El Gumryah who will start favourite.
El Gumryah 4/5f 2nd
Note: Struggled for pace and ran on after it was all over.
6:15 Chelmsford -
Interesting to see one of David Simcock's better juveniles racing here. He has only entered six two-year-olds this season so Furious is worthy of respect. This bay daughter of Oasis Dream was relatively fancied on debut and not beaten too far into fifth. Dropping in back to 6f. Very good claims.
Furious 8/13f 1st
Note: Impressive victory from Furious.
Five two-year-old races for Friday. I will detail the significant entrants and form horses worthy of note.
2:00 Goodwood -
Just a couple of entrants. Big Boots is a son of Society Rock and tidy winner on debut at Bath. He was slightly disappointing at Windsor racing under a penalty when favourite. It will be interesting to see if he can show more without an apprentice. A high draw is an advantage.
Robert Cowell has been kept busy this early season with an increased string of two-year-olds. Blame Roberta has received a couple of significant entries. This daughter of Blame races in the ownership of Khalifa Dasmal. She looks a good yearling purchase at just $27,000. She ran a respectable fourth place on debut at Yarmouth. The form has been franked with the first three horses either winning or narrowly denied. This bay filly wasn't too far behind or given a hard race. Looks capable of better.
This looks a difficult race to assess so I would advice a watching brief.
2:20 Haydock -
Mark Johnston has been in fine form this season. Axel Jacklin looked disappointing on debut but fared much better at Newmarket when stepping up to 6f. This leggy son of Iffraaj battled hard when runner up to Usain Boat. Should go well.
Five Amarones is one of a number of horses Tom Dascombe has entered this season. This son of Alhebayheb was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but didn't take part. He was fancied on debut at Pontefract but slowly into stride even though he had a prime draw. In truth, he ran on pretty well to chase home Carey Street. Five Amarones ran a similar race at Bath over the minimum trip. Always slightly outpaced, he didn't have the pace to get to grips with Barbill or Ginger Nut. That third place did suggest some limitation. The major hope here is stepping up to 6f.
Arthur Kit hasn't received any entries for Tom Dascombe, but this debutante is well bred, the mare being Ceiling Kitty who won the Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 (2012). The betting details that this colt is first string. The stable do well at this racecourse.
2:45 Bath -
No significant entrants although New Queen and Country Rose may well be in the very near future.
3:55 Bath -
An interesting Class 3 EBF Novices' Stakes over 5f 160y on firm going.
Hua Hin is well regarded by the Hannon stable. This son of Dandy Man ran well to win on debut, although tiring in the closing stages. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but didn't take that route. This February foal has to shoulder a 6lb win penalty and reason why Gary Mahon takes off a valuable 5lb. I would expect Hua Hin to improve for that first start after a month off course.
Charles Hills has a few decent types this season. Ynys Mon ran in a Class 2 race on debut when stuck in the mud. This son of Olympic Glory is a good-looking colt but has temperamental issue. He has been too keen on both his last starts which may have become a habit. That is a problem. He may enjoy this firm ground and this small field shouldn't bring about traffic problems which didn't help at Chester. However, I would be worried if he is keen over this extended five furlongs especially at even money. If going a stride too fast it makes winning difficult.
7:30 Pontefract -
The best race on the day this Class 2 with win prize money of over £15,000. Just the five runners. Looks a trappy heat. Will be taking a watching brief.