Not a bad day yesterday with Dalaalaat winning.
6:00 Newcastle -
Interesting. This is why you need to take note of Group Horse. It details potentially smart juveniles - before they have raced. Roger Charlton has a few nice prospects this season, especially the likes of Fashion's Star who we detailed on one of our 10 Dark Horse Mailings along with other gifted two-year-olds (most before debut). Headman has been on our radar for some time. This British-bred son of Kingman is out of a French-winning mare who raced just three times. Headman is definitely one of the better juveniles at Beckhampton House Stables. Most of Charlton's debutantes go well when starting favourite.
As I always say, there are few easy races. That point can be seen with another significantly entered horse in opposition. Repaupo has the advantage of two runs, setting the standard. This bay colt, a son of Quality Road, is owned and bred by George Strawbridge. Big odds-on backers may have shivers running down their spine as we reflect on his last defeat at 1/5f. The problem of betting prohibitive odds is that you can't really return from such a loss. Time may tell that he bumped into a rare talent in Tom Dascombe's Metatron who was fancied in the marked. Repaupo never looked like a winner that day and pushed along mid-division. By the time he found his stride, the winner had flown with Pegasus wings. Gosden's charge ran better on debut and he may simply have disappointed. There will be no excuses today.
Headman 8/13f 1st
Repaupo 15/8 2nd
Note: ''What did we say?'' Once again, Group Horse proves its class with an effortless less debut winner. Repaupo finishes second.
7:15 Wolverhampton -
Simon Crisford is a talented trainer. He is good at placing his juveniles. Aluqair was given a Class 2 Stakes race entry before his debut at Nottingham over 6f. This son of Kodiac run well considering he was hampered at the start. A touch of inexperience, too. The first four that day were clear of the fourth. Looks the type to put down a decent effort.
Aluquair 5/2 5th
Note: Well backed but ran a very disappointing race. Difficult to see in running but keen, which didn't help. I know riding a horse isn't easy but when going four wide on a turning course a Group Horse would struggle to win. A combination of factors details that this run is best forgotten. Much better than this which should be seen next time out.
Let's have a look at today's significant entrants.
12:40 Nottingham -
We start with William Haggas' son of Kingman - Dalaalaat. This bay colt was fancied to go well on debut at Sandown over one mile. This May foal (quite late) was priced 3/1 He was quite weak in the betting that day drifting from an opening price of 9/4. In many respects, that indifference may have detailed that he needed the run. This strong colt finished fifth, beaten just over four lengths.
Cadeau D'Amour held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes but wasn't seen until October. There must have been issues along the way He didn't show anything on debut. Sometimes horses can look horrendous on debut and spring a surprise next start. It is interesting he started his career at York. Priced 33/1. You'd have to take a watching brief unless a thrillseeker.
Dalaalaat 11/10f 1st
Cadeau D'Amour 66/1 6th
Note: A nice performance from Dalaalaat. A good-looking juvenile. Cadeau D'Amour ran better at huge odds in 6th.
5:45 Kempton -
Mark Johnston's Sky Defender has always been entered as though a very talented juvenile. I guess, within reason, this British-bred son of Farhh ran a great race on debut when a narrow, if not unlucky, loser. The second start saw him favourite for the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York. He clearly disappointed that day. Next time out at Musselburgh. I must admit I thought he would take a world of beating. He won at 8/11f but it was a matter of holding your breath and closing your eyes with a neck win. A stride or two more and it would have been bad news (for those who bet). An official rating of 88 saw his first nursery effort which proved a disappointment. Back to Auction Class with a win penalty. Just looks too many ifs and buts for my liking. Time will tell.
Sky Defender 7/2 3rd
Note: Sky Defender led but headed at the furlong pole. Tired in the closing stages and has some limitation under the penalty.
Just a quick update as I am at Great Yarmouth's Eastern Festival. From West Palm Beach via London to the Norfolk coast. Hence, the late update.
I'm getting around.
1:50 Beverley -
We don't see too many significantly entered two-year-olds going for Claiming races but Gay Kelleway is taking that option with Elieden. This daughter of Camacho has an official rating of 71 which tells the story of a limited horse but one that has enough ability to win a race. She has been entered for a few race this year showing glimmers of ability. Looks like connections are dropping in class to gain that first elusive win.
Elieden 11/4f 3rd
2:10 Sandwon -
William Haggas has a decent string of juveniles and Dalaalaat is making his debut today. This son of Kingman is worthy of respect.
Voltaic has run well on both starts to date and has valuable experience on side. This chestnut son of Power ran well in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York, the one significant entry he has received. Stepping up to one mile. A decent juvenile at odds of 6/1.
Conclusion: Just the two significant entrants here. Paul Cole's Voltaic could well hit the frame at each way odds. Dalaalaat is in one of Haggas' best betting guides which give hope but will need to be a fair talent to win on debut.
Dalaalaat 3/1 5th
Voltaic 14/1 6th
2:20 Beverley -
Air Force Amy ran well on debut in a competitive race. Looks to hold fair each-way claims.
Air Force Amy 11/2 2nd
2:30 Yarmouth -
Big old fields.
Saeed bin Suroor has definitely achieved more this two-year-old season. It makes a change after being given the lesser lights for far too long. Royal Meeting is fancied to go well here after a recent Class 2 entry. Not the easiest horse to assess.
Charlie Appleby has given Aquanura similar entry. He has run well on both starts to date and sets a decent standard.
Other significant entrants include Alrajaa. Fancied on both starts to date and beaten favourite at Sandown when fading tamely in the final furlong. I can imagine connections were a little disappointed with that effort.
Clipper Logistics is no stranger to decent two-year-olds and Victory Day makes his debut for William Haggas. This son of Bated Breath cost £270,000 at the yearling sales. Interesting that he received a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) entry some time back but no other entries since. It may indicate he had a set back at some point. Haggas does well at this course. I would prefer To see this youngster priced 13/2 & less SP to hold best chances but not without a hope.
Conclusion: Looks like a four-horse race on betting. Not the easiest of races to assess. The two debutantes [Royal Meeting & Victory Day] will need to be pretty smart on debut to beat the form horses although they may not have lived up to expectation. I would have to take a watching brief.
Royal Meeting 2/1 1st
Alrajaa 4/1 2nd
Aquanura 11/4 3rd
Victory Day 5/1 5th
2:40 Sandown -
Good Fortune is a very well entered horse for Charlie Appleby.
Harry Dunlop has only one horse significantly entered and that is Goldino Bello.
Good Fortune 6/5f 2nd
Goldino Bello 25/1 4th
2:50 Beverley -
Rock Up In Style has received a Class 2 Stakes entry
Rock Up In Style 6/1 5th
3:00 Yarmouth -
Sir Michael Stoute has noted Sovereign Grant. He ran well on debut when running on in the closing stages, giving the impression the race was needed. Almost three weeks off course, and sure to be fitter this time around.
The only other entrant noted by the trainer is David Simcock's Wiretap. Not the easiest of horses to assess and a horse who gives the impression has had a few issues along the way, which isn't ideal. Was fancied on debut at Yarmouth but easily beaten. However, the form of that race has turned out to be very good. Doesn't look fancied in the betting. If seriously backed to 13/2 & less SP would have much better claims. Keep an eye on the betting.
Wiretap 8/1 2nd
Sovereign Grant 4/6f 3rd
4:00 Beverley -
Summer Blossom has been consistent and looking for this filly.
Sabai Sabai has been noted by Ralph Beckett but has been disappointing of late.
Summer Blossom 5/4f 2nd
Sabai Sabai 7/4 4th