3:35 Leicester -
Sometimes talented horses look pretty poor on debut. That was certainly the case for Clive Cox's Red Armada who didn't show much ability on debut over course and distance. Group Horse Daily detailed this son of Invincible Spirit. He wasn't disgraced but didn't set the world alight when finishing fourth of seven at odds of 14/1. I didn't know what to think second start at Ascot. Considering this colt cost 120,000 euros at the yearling sales and had been given a significant entry I hadn't lost faith but wouldn't have bet beyond a speculative poke. This April foal ran very well finishing second to Prince Eiji who is a class juvenile. He lost by half a length but clear of the third. Interesting why he hasn't been seen for a few weeks. There was a lot to like about that performance. If touching each-way prices looks a good bet to hit the frame.
Red Armada 7/2 3rd
Note: The favourite won well. Red Armada was stuck behind horses and lost place manoeuvring. Ran on with purpose but should have gone a lot closer. Only just got going at the line in third. Worth noting next start.
4:05 Leicester -
Richard Hannon has given Come On Leicester an unending list of significant entries. In fact, this bay daughter of Kodiac has received no less than eighteen. She has achieved one win from seven starts. As those entries state, she has been highly tried racing at pattern class four times. She was meant to make that five but withdrawn at Haydock when the going turned heavy. Come On Leicester has run well at Group class so this is a marked drop in class. Considering all five horses here have won before, the win penalty is negated. I would imagine Hannon has been disappointed that this 360,000 guineas breeze-up purchase hasn't won at the highest level. With a rating of 94, this looks a fine opportunity.
As always, there are no easy races. This Class 3 race details a few live wires.
Mick Channon has been in great form all season. Gospel is lightly raced. She won by a neck on debut before heading to Ireland at Listed class. A creditable run in seventh but beaten less than five lengths. Once again, one of the better fillies in the stable.
Aquarius is a big price. Michael Appleby must have had high hopes for this Irish-bred daughter of Charm Spirit won on debut. She has been outclassed since.
Come On Leicester 9/4 1st
Gospel 6/4f 2nd
Aquarius 16/1 5th
Note: Come On Leicester made the most of this drop in class and showed her class. A nice performance by a horse which drifted markedly in the betting.
6:15 Kempton -
Interesting to see one of few juveniles noted by Charlie Fellows. Thanks Be was priced 20/1 on debut at Newbury over 7f. It was a very stiff race won by Fashion's Star, trained by Roger Charlton, and detailed by Group Horse as a real superstar. This daughter of Makhadram looks a good breeze-up purchase at 65,000 guineas. Beaten less than five lengths that day. A prime draw and dropping back a furlong. Fellows is a decent trainer with a small string of two-year-olds. He usually makes the most of his chances and this filly should go well.
Thanks Be 4/1 5th
Note: Tried to make the most from a low draw by leading. Looked to hold every chance coming into the final furlong but went backwards fast as the favourite sauntered by. Probably ran it's race in 5th but a disappointing effort in ways.
Five two-year-old race for Monday. I will try to keep this as brief as possible because I am trying to do a million things at once.
2:05 Redcar -
Mark Johnston has been in very good form and details the only significant entry for with Aisling. This race type is restricted which usually favours proven form horses.Big Ace ran well last time out and looks a tough horse to beat. However, Johnston's daughter of Dream Ahead - a very cheap buy - has been given an entry of note so it will be interesting to see how she goes.
2:15 Carlisle -
Once again, Mark Johnston has the sole entry here with Hard Forest. A wide draw isn't ideal. She must be held in some regard by connections as received a couple of entries including a Listed race. This American-bred daughter of Hard Spun has looked a short runner but ran ok on a couple of occasions. She was readily outpointed at Yarmouth although the form of that race has been franked. Has plenty of pace so may try to get to the rail from this high draw. A slight concern about her tiring in the final furlong.
From a statistical point of view, True Mason could go very well. A wide draw isn't ideal. He ran in a decent race on debut and may have been bogged down with the mud or slightly in need of the run. The stable have been out of form which doesn't bring confidence but their fortunes will change sooner or later. Definitely one for the short list.
Cosmic Law was the more fancied of the two Fahey runners at Doncaster, where the outsider of the two prevailed. Cosmic Law was slow away from the stalls and never really involved. However, this son of No Nay Never stayed on in the closing stages without being pressed. I was quite taken with that effort and a horse who will progress. If drifting to each-way prices is worth a small bet.
6:00 Leicester -
No significant entries.
6:15 Windsor -
Quite an interesting race. Richard Hannon's Come On Leicester cost 360,000gns at the breeze-up sales and ran well when making her debut at Ascot. She has a plum draw in stall one and a recent entry for the National Stakes Listed races gives the impression this should be a stepping stone to bigger fish.Whether you want to jump in at 4/5f is the only concern. Definitely the horse to beat.
Gay Kelleway's Elieden was a bargain buy at the breeze-up sales. An excellent purchase at £4,000. Interesting to note this small filly was entered to run at selling class but also higher profile races such as the Lily Agnes, a Class 2 contest and the National Stakes Listed. She was sent off a huge price on debut at Chester. A wide draw and slow start didn't help. However, she ran very well, finding trouble in running down the straight, but finished with some verve. There is always a chance she could have been slightly flattered. Recent entries suggest connections fancy she has ability. A wide draw isn't ideal here and she wouldn't be helped by another tardy start. If starting on terms, could well hold each-way claims at 12/1. The favourite looks hard to beat so if betting you may be wiser to have a point on the favourite and Elieden and just hope the jolly has a disaster.
Richard Hughes has a number of two-year-olds. They often struggle to win but show form. Kadiz traveled well on debut but went a stride too fast and looked to hate the testing conditions at Salisbury. If back to her best, could hold claims. A wide draw isn't ideal but she should have the pace to sit handy if her rider chooses. A hood has been applied which is a slight negative.
6:45 Windsor -
Not significant entries