2:25 Newmarket -
As detailed many times thus far, we have just one significant entry to glean information and that's the Brocklesby Stakes. Don't worry, we will have much more information coming as the season progresses. To be fair, the Brocklesby has detailed a few winners including Show Me Show Me, Zulu Zander & Birkenhead, alongside placed efforts such as Heer We Go Again, Paddy Elliot & Bendy Spirit.
George Scott's Strong Power finished second in the Brocklesby Stakes and did little wrong, a battling type who was passed in the closing half furlong, beaten by three-quarters of a length. As the form has proven, this son of Kodiac is up to winning a race. Whether he is good enough to deny not one but four horses representing Godolphin only time will tell. Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby have a couple of juveniles each. I've never seen the fourth colours (black hat) (so I wonder if they have some kind of blackhat magic going on...lol). That's a joke, of course. But it is interesting to imagine if they have ten runners in a race what coloured hats would be seen for the first time! Anyway, little things for little minds, hey.
Charlie Appleby's Well Of Wisdom (black cap) is, at the time of writing, the most fancied of the quartet.
We have another experienced horse who didn't run in the Brocklesby but was entered who made his debut at Windsor. Interesting to see how Richard Hannon's Lexington Quest goes here. He was very well backed on his racecourse bow but didn't achieve a great deal. It could well be the case this son of Ivawood disappointed. That may well need to be the excuse because this looks a tougher race. I wouldn't be holding my breath but neither would I lay this horse to lose at 20/1. I do think it was a significant entry being earmarked for the Doncaster race and I suspect a better performance will be seen today.
In truth, it looks a tricky race and I would take a watching brief unless you fancy a speculative punt on Lexington Quest if you can get some crazy odds on the exchanges and cross your fingers and toes. He may be backed if the sound of the Thames got to him that day at Windsor.
5:25 Chelmsford -
Just a quick note detailing any Brocklesby runners/entrants here. Michael Appleby has Gracie's Girl taking part. She held an entry for the Brocklesby and since been a non-runner for whatever reason. This daughter of Heeraat is out of a debut-winning mare [Queen's Revenge] who looked quite promising for Tim Easterby and competed in the Hilary Needler Trophy Conditions Stakes at Beverly and raced at Listed class at two and three. Gracie's Girl cost just £4,000 at the yearling sales in the ownership of Robin Oliver, who is a loyal patron of The Homestead Stables in Oakham, Leicestershire. This Novice Auction Stakes is a pretty restrictive race which means it shouldn't take the world of winning. Appleby had three entered two-year-olds last season: Loch Ness Monster, Aquarius & Walkman. Loch Ness Monster & Aquarius proved capable juveniles achieving winning status, the latter on debut, and competed at Group class.
In truth, Appleby doesn't have the largest string of two-year-olds and they can be the good, bad and ugly. Would I bet on Gracie's Girl at 20/1? No. But it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see her run a race.
Please note all three horses noted are forwarded simply because they held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes.
6:15 Chelmsford -
Interesting that we see a trainer with a very small string. Pretty sure this is Eugene Stanford's only two-years-old in the stable. Itizzit has run six times. This chestnut filly didn't have the best debut unseating her rider. To be fair her form has been rather up and down. A couple of place efforts have shown a horse of some ability to the point attempting Listed class. Then went close to winning a nursery. Now has an official rating of 79. This 15,000 guineas yearling purchase gets in this race on a handy mark.
Itizzit 4/1 4th
Note: Itizzit ran a fair race but always susceptible to a touch of quality. Finished 4th.
7:30 Wolverhampton -
John Gosden must be pleased with the two-year-old season. Plenty of top-class juveniles and Guineas prospects. Interesting to see if Repaupo can lose here! I say that tongue-in-cheek as this US-bred son of Quality Road is a 1/5f. This homebred races in the familiar silks of George Strawbridge. We noted this bay colt on his debut at Ascot. He ran a sterling race that day, losing by a head. He has received a couple of significant entries. Unless something unusual happens, this horse should win without too much trouble.
Repaupo 1/5f 2nd
Note: Reason why I never bet odds-on. Repaupo beat easily by Tom Dascombe's Metatron. Punters got their fingers burned here.
Very interest day yesterday with all noted juveniles either winning or showing ability. When you consider it comes from a basic list - what a foundation to build your knowledge.
Let's take a look at today's info.
5:45 Chelmsford -
Karl Burke is a great horse trainer. I've said it many times but if you can't make money from betting his juveniles you're doing something wrong. Collect Call has been noted by the stable. Has run well on all three starts including a taste of pattern class back in July. Not been seen for almost 100 days.
Collect Call 11/8f 2nd
Note: Ran well, leading for a long way and touched 1.12 in-running, finishing second. However, no match for the eventual winner who come from off the pace. A nice-looking filly, Aldana.
6:15 Chelmsford -
Saeed bin Suroor's talents are shining brightly this two-year-old season. Good for him. A very loyal, humble man who shouldn't be in the shade of any other handler. The wining of Royal Marine taking Group 1 victory at Longchamp, France must have been a day he had waited for too long.
Back to the grassroots level. Mawahib has been fancied to go well on both starts to date but not lived up her billing. She wasn't helped by being bumped and stumbled, which saw this daughter of New Approach run from off the pace when the first two finishers set a brisk pace and held a distinct advantage. Interesting that bin Suroor is stepping this chestnut filly up in trip. Maybe better than seen and worthy of respect.
Mawahib 8/1 2nd
Note: Drifted to big prices on the exchanges (16+) and ran a respectable race to finish second, returning at odds of 8/1.
Very busy so this will be kept to names:
1:30 Chester -
Entrants: Axel Jacklin.
1:40 Chelmsford -
Entrants: Daphinia.
2:00 Bath -
Entrants: Al Wafi.
2:30 Lingfield -
Entrants: Layaleena.
2:55 Musselburgh -
Entrants: Implicit, Blame Robert.
Three two-year-old races today.
Makes a change as there is far too much racing for my liking.
The only race with significant entries is:
6:15 Chelmsford -
6f totepool Cashback Club At totesport.com Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 4) (2yo)
Going: Standard
Runners: 10
Analysis:
Not bad prize money for this race at £6,081. It's perhaps a touch surprising that the favourite, Fognini, hasn't been given the nod. I guess Archie Watson is happy enough to contest these Novice Stakes for now.
We have two significantly entered juveniles here. Both look less than promising in their formative starts. However, I've seen plenty of horses look pretty mediocre before flapping those Pegasus wings.
Sir Michael Stoute noted Khafooq, although this son of Kodiac hasn't really shone so far. He isn't anywhere close to the better talents in the stable that readers have noted such as Snagarius, Laylaleena & Almania. Khafooq was a marked drifter on debut and finished last. As I have said before, very few of Stoute's debutantes win when priced over 13/2 SP. Obviously, some do but they are usually the exception to the rule and often very classy horses. I think punters gave this bay colt the benefit of the doubt when returning to Leicester. He showed pace for a few furlongs but dropped away tamely. He was given a few hefty reminders which helped for half a furlong before all was lost. It was a pretty lifeless performance to be fair. Unless he has disappointed on both starts [not impossible] improvement is needed. A low draw is a positive. I wouldn't be interested in betting.
The other juvenile noted here looks even less inspiring. However, even the best of horses can run poorly on debut. I've seen plenty finish last on debut and turn out to be very talented juveniles. It is a strange fact that when a horse finishes a disappointing last [especially when fancied in the betting] they are worth noting the second start. So who are we talking about? Shining Armor, trained by John Ryan. This bay gelding, a son of Morpheus, is out of a limited but four-times winning mare. Breeding would suggest he wants further. He cost just £16,000 at the breeze-up sales, now in the ownership of Gerry McGladery, who is a good patron to this stable. Ryan sent this horse to make his debut at Yarmouth over 5f. He showed up for a while before dropping out of contention. He wasn't fancied in the betting at 20/1. This gelding was given an entry for the Champagne Stakes (Group 2). Is that a sign of ability? Time will tell. At odds of 50/1 it is a huge price. A wide draw isn't ideal for this turning course.
Interesting.
Very busy so I will just detail in a concise manner. As I have said before, all the info is here in these pages so you shouldn't need me to detail much at all, to be honest.
1:35 Beverley -
Hawthorn Rose - well thought of in Sir Michael Stoute's stable Should take some beating.
Brassica - Definitely one of the best juveniles in Sir Mark Prescott's care.
2:40 Chester -
Tom Dascombe fields Drogon who has been noted by the yard but has to defy a win penalty.
Mordred is a capable horse but found a few talented opponents so far. This turning course may help if getting to the rail. Certainly up to winning a race but always a slight concern he may regress at some point.
Lady Kinsale was entered for the Lily Agnes but limited by all accounts. Has good pace but will need a minor miracle.
6:15 Chelmsford -
Interesting.
Charlie Appleby has one of his potentially smart juveniles running today in the shape of debutante Court Poet. This son of Dubawi is well drawn and favourite to take this.
Mark Johnston's Rock Up In Style is held in some regard but doesn't look to be in the upper class. Ran a respectable race when fourth on debut.
It has been an extremely busy week. Rather than detailing each and every entered juvenile I will highlight what I consider to be the better types and chances. All the information is here so it isn't difficult to find everything. As the saying goes: Seek and you will find!
1:10 Chelmsford -
Micheal Appleby doesn't have the largest string of two-year-olds and few have much ability (although he has had a few). Aquarius is a fair sort, who won well on debut at Newmarket when 25/1 shot. Connections must have ben very upset when she reared and pretty much refused to race in the Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (Group 3). Interesting to see how this daughter of the Irish-bred Charm Spirit goes this third start. No bad habits, I hope.
1:45 Thirsk -
Kevin Ryan has Three Card Trick trying to make this third time lucky. This chestnut colt, a son of Piccolo, has run to fine races. He meets Bartie Hall, who beat him last time out, although better off in the weights as Michael Dods' filly has a winner's penalty. Three Card Trick holds a Gimcrack Stakes (group 2) entry. Racing in the familiar silks of Guy Reed Racing.
2:55 Doncaster -
Boitron won very well on debut for Richard Hannon and Middleham Park Racing Ltd. This bay colt has received a couple of significant entries and has to defy a win penalty but priced to do so.
8:05 Lingfield -
The Paddocks has to carry a winner's penalty but a well entered juveniles for Richard Hannon. Won narrowly on debut, outclassed at Royal Ascot, disappointed at Newbury and showed more last time out when runner-up to a fair horse.
5:50 Chelmsford -
A Novice Stakes (Plus 10) Class 4 on Standard going.
Seven two-year-olds take part: four with racecourse experience.
Two significantly entered juveniles here. So Hi Speed wasn't too fancied on debut at Newcastle but ruined any chance by pulling much too hard. The form of that race is difficult to assess and by all accounts this American-bred son of Central Banker needs to settle and find improvement. Trainer, Robert Cowell, has Pocket Dynamo in the field and shorter price so So Hi Speed may be here for a supporting role. However, the significant entry does suggest more is expected and that could be the case. This looks a competitive heat with the Appleby favourite likely to be short odds. Nonetheless, the Cowell runner is worth noting.
*Hard Forest is the other horse who has received a significant entry. She ran well on debut, but tired slightly in the closing stages to finish a creditable third. She looked to be going great guns at Newmarket but tired markedly in the closing stages. The going was testing and she may have gone a stride too fast. The race time was slow and she looked a short runner. Third start at Yarmouth was a disappointing display in ways unless the form of that race proves decent. It could be the case that it will because Michael Bell's Artair ran out a tidy winner. A wide draw isn't ideal. I can see Mark Johnston's youngster making the most of her experience and getting to the lead. These turning courses are better for horses who may well struggle to get home. She is likely to lead and if gaining a few easy lengths may take some pegging back.
A trio of debutantes who could go well. Certainly, most punters will be looking to Shellbrook to rule the roost. If talented, could win well. However, a turning course isn't the best starting point for any horse which may make one or two here value. Shame this wasn't three places.
On balance, I will take a watching brief.
NR: Hard Forest, One One Seven
Full result
Not a great deal of time to write a post. To be honest, there isn't much point even detailing the very likely winner of this race considering the horse is 1/6f.
Danzan is a talented three-year-old. He was noted at two by Andrew Balding. Definitely one of the better prospects in that formative season competing at a high level including group class.
His win at Pontefract, storming clear by 10 lengths, was a sight to behold. A bloody good price too. I actually had an each-way bet that day and laid it off on Betfair about half the odds in running. That wasn't the best idea. Unplaced at Group 3 & 1 but picking up a huge cash prize when runner-up at Doncaster in the Weatherbys Racing Bank £300,000 2YO Sales race. Second place being worth just over £59,000. Total earning over £76,000. Last time out cruising to an easy win at 1/8f. Before that runner-up to the speedster Corinthia Knight who won well today. This race at Chelmsford looks a formality.