A very quick update detailing a few significantly entered juveniles running today.
1:50 Ascot -
Godolphin and Charlie Appleby have an interesting contender here with Ceratonia. This bay daughter of Oasis Dream is well bred and noted as a decent two-year-old.
George Margarson's Model Guest may have her work cut out but isn't without ability. She showed more than her finishing position on debut at Yarmouth. Second start was only a three-horse race but, again, this daughter of Showcasing showed ability. A big price because it's a competitive field.
2:00 Thirsk -
Sosume is noted by Karl Burke as having a fair level of ability. He was a bit ring rusty on debut but finished with a rattle. Has been backed from bigger price to favourite and looks a real chance on this second start.
6:20 Chepstow -
Mick Channon has done well this season with his two-year-olds and I'Letyougonow ran well on debut when a beaten favourite. This step up in distance will help. The stable think a bit of this filly and she should make her mark at this auction class.
7:00 York -
Not bad prize money for this Class 3. Commanding Officer is worth noting for Karl Burke. This son of Poet's Voice looks a good purchase at 34,000 euros for owners Clipper Logistics.
Three two-year-old races to consider.
2:15 Hamilton -
No entries of note.
6:45 Chepstow -
Tisneverending is a significant entrant for Stan Moore. She has been flitting between the UK and France. Not the easiest horse to assess.
7:15 Chepstow -
An intriguing race. A few of these are worthy of note. Shaybani has to shoulder a win penalty but good enough to contest the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot. Wasn't disgraced in mid division.
David Evans is a fair judge and Disruptor is better than seen on his first two starts. Needed the run on debut, when finishing with verve. A beaten favourite next start when stepping up to six furlongs after a long break. Nothing much went right that day. He wasn't helped at all by running wide and then being pushed even wider on the final bend. In truth, there was a lot to like about that performance although backers where left frustrated. The race looked decent. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the first seven horses at Lingfield go on to win. If this wasn't such a stiff contest, I would be pretty keen on this French-bred colt hitting the frame if not winning. Not without a chance at fair odds.
I don't usually detail horses here if they haven't been given significant entries. However, there are a few horses which may be able opponents.
Roger Teal's Spirit Of May has very good win and place claims if priced 13/2 and less. Dutch Treat has fair each-way claims if priced 9/1 & less sp.
A tough race in ways but very interesting.
Seems like a very long day.
2:00 Sandown -
Dark Shadow is the only entrant here. Clive Cox's son of Dark Angel was relatively fancied on debut at Ascot just over one month ago. He was well backed from 7/1 - 9/2. Unfortunately, the horse next to him in the stalls was unruly which done him few favours. There could be more to come.
2:35 Sandown -
A number of entrants taking part for this 7f race. Dancing Speed was wide drawn last time out at Goodwood but well backed. Didn't show as much ability as expected. This step up in distance should help. Hugo Palmer's Eagle Hunter ran a great race on debut after a slow start. The third horse hasn't been disgraced. Also, from a statistical point of view very good claims. If a marked drifter in the betting could be value. Richard Hannon has Glorious Dane (as well as Dancing Speed). He was a drifter in the market on debut at Leicester. That wasn't a surprise when reviewing the run as he was very inexperienced. This son of Olympic Glory made up a lot of ground to catch the leaders before tiring in the closing furlong. Could well improve for that debut.
6:25 Chepstow -
Steve has been highly tried and will appreciate this drop in class. Millman does well at this course. Has to shoulder a win penalty which doesn't make life easy as he is no world beater. Axel Jacklin has shown ability but his last two starts have looked pretty average. It wouldn't surprise me if he has regressed.
6:35 Goodwood -
Just Wolstonbury given the significant entry but looks to be second string to Sylvester Kirk's Nayslayer who was backed on debut and the form of that race has been franked by a number of horses.
Just a couple of races.
1:50 Nottingham -
Hugo Palmer has been relatively quite this season. Barend Boy was a touch ring rusty on debut but finished with real verve. He stayed at 5f when heading to Newmarket and was far from disgraced when finishing third. The second horse that day, Fly The Nest, seemingly disappointed next start which makes the form a little more difficult to assess. However, the form of that first run looks fair and this step up in distance should bring improvement. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes Stakes but didn't take that opportunity.
Dixieland has run two times but not shown a great deal of ability. He was hampered on debut and although not beaten far at Doncaster it was a slightly disappointing effort. This son of Red Jazz was well backed that day and, perhaps, under performed. Time will tell. Connection are stepping up to 6f for the first time. I imagine they are hoping this will help.
My Dear Friend was very keen on debut at Salisbury when starting favourite. A good-looking colt who cost a decent sum. Could well prove positive today.
Karl Burke's juveniles are either limited or been out of form. Most have looked disappointing. Swissterious is a son of Swiss Spirit and a £44,000 yearling buy. The betting suggests he either needs the run of limited. In his favour, he received a Class 2 Stakes entry, just one of two horses to be noted by the trainer.
2:10 Chepstow -
Rod Millman's Lady Wolf wasn't fancied on debut when finished seventh. The form of the race has been franked and the first four look up to winning. Stepping up to 6f is a positive. The stable do pretty well at this course so may have some chance. Popping Corks was one place ahead for Richard Hannon.
2:10 Beverley -
A Novice Stakes Div I on good going.
Nine two-year-olds take part. Deep Intrigue is the only horse with significant entries. A beaten favourite on his last two start - short odds - Johnston will be hoping this is third time lucky. This grey son of Dark Angel cost £200,000 at the yearling sales.
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2:30 Beverley -
Nine two-year-olds entered for this Novice Stakes Div II.
No horses with significant entries.
5:15 Chepstow -
A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f 16y on good to firm going.
A restricted race type which often favours form horses.
Bill Turner's John Betjeman has run well on two starts. He seemed to enjoy the testing ground conditions on debut at Bath. He may be better with a bit of give in the going description but a horse with enough ability to go close in a race of this nature. Finley Marsh takes off a valuable 5lb. Rod Millman does well at this course.
Swan Street hasn't got an entry at this stage but not a bad looking juvenile who ran fair enough on debut at Kempton.
In addition, Whataguy is a rare two-year-old runner for Paul Nicholls. This son of Mayson ran in a competitive race on debut at Salisbury. Quite a nice looking juvenile who will improve with racing.
Stuart Kittow is a very good trainer and Mayfair Madam did little wrong when beaten a neck at Windsor. This chestnut daughter of Mayson traveled well that day even though she had unseated her rider going to the start. The form of that race is respectable for this grade with a couple franking the form.
Clive Cox has made a great start to the season with his two-year-olds. A couple look very talented. Molly Blake races in the familiar silks of Peter Ridgers. A £24,00 yearling purchase. May well be under priced after a few successes but interesting as their debutantes have decent each away claims when priced 13/2 & less SP. Even more so when 7/2 and less SP.
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