I must apologise for being quiet. I'm still working on the horse trainer statistics which are taking longer than expected. It is literally like painting the Forth bridge, with a dicky brush. The data is very interesting but it really is boring to complete. However, it is a job which needs doing and I will be doing my utmost to get the majority of it signed off this week. It has spurred me on because there are few two-year-old races these next four or five days.
I'm sure you have noticed a couple of two-year-old races for Monday.
2:00 Redcar -
I'm not going to write a great deal about either of these races as I much prefer to watch the early races. Archie Watson has got off to a decent start with a couple of winners and Exclusively is well owned. The betting details a big run is expected.
2:50 Windsor -
Brocklesby fourth place Dorchester Dom ran well enough on debut. The third horse that day, also trained by David Evans, won well at Leicester. I'm not keen on betting short prices at the best of times. This son of Starspangledbanner has valuable experience which counts for a lot against debutants. There's always the worry something will pop up and make the jolly backers not so happy. Interesting to see how Richard Hannon's Lexington Quest goes. This son of Ivawood cost £32,000 at the yearling sales when purchased to by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock (who buy a lot for Hannon). Now in the ownership of Middleham Park Racing. Worth noting this April foal (24th April, so not quite two) was given a Brocklesby Stakes entry. The sole entrant for Hannon. I think we have to go back to 2016 for the last time Hannon had a horse entered or run in the Brocklesby. In that year he had Tomily and Bismark The Flyer. Tomily won a couple of times at two and turned out to be a very talented gelding. Bismarck The Flyer won a couple of times at two, the first victory at selling class. Lexington Quest isn't without a chance here and I would take the Brocklesby entry as a positive.
Six two-year-old races - from a claimer to novice stakes and nurseries too.
I'll have a quick look to note any significant entrants.
2:10 Catterick (Claiming)
No entrants of significance.
2:50 Yarmouth -
No entrants of significance.
3:10 Catterick -
Mark Johnston's Prairie Spy has won on both starts to date. Interesting that her trainer has opted to send this daughter of Sepoy to contest an nursery for this third start. The opposition are rated in the 60s, while she has an official rating of 87. A horse respected in the stable and one that will be contesting at Group class if winning here.
4:00 Lingfield -
A poor nursery for horses rated in the 60s (a couple rated 71). Wolstonbury and Habanera have been given entries but limited. This race wouldn't take much winning so they may have some chance. Not the type of race I would bet myself but intriguing nonetheless.
4:35 Lingfield -
No significant entrants
7:25 Kempton -
Interesting to see David Evans' One Kiss made her debut at Class 2 and wasn't disgraced. Stepping up in distance. This looks a fairly competitive field and it may be the case she was slightly flattered on that racecourse bow but looks a big price at 25/1.
3:00 Haydock -
The first two-year-old nursery of the season. I can't say this is my favourite race type, although if I do have a fancy they usually go well. I will detail the significantly entered. Not sure if I will bother to do this for all the nursery races because those higher rated are likely to feature many. It proves the principle of Group Horse Daily that, amazingly, we detail the best horses in training. No surprise to those who follow and appreciate.
Significantly entered horses in this race.
High Horse
Finoah
Dancing Speed
Five Helmets
Ventura Bay
Leoube
Conclusion: Too many featured here to take the race seriously. I usually look for horses who haven't shown their hand in this race type in the hope they are on a good handicap mark. A couple who may have some hope, one not entered, are Leoube and Triple One, who is progressing well and must win races off 68. Time will tell.
3:30 Haydock -
Critical Data won well last time in a restricted auction race. Has to shoulder a win penalty which makes life harder. Pablo Escobarr ran well on debut when a beaten favourite to a fair juvenile in Certain Lad. Mark Johnston's charge has received a National Stakes (Group 1) entry for the big Irish race.
6:15 Newbury -
A rare entry for Henry Candy, who isn't the type of trainer to waste his time with foolish hopes. Layla's Dream has received a Class 2 entry a while back. This daughter of Assertive is a home bred for Lady Whent. The mare was a triple winer over sprint distance but a limited horse in some respects. Interesting horse. Candy can ready a debutante and it wouldn't be a surprise to see this February foal go well. On the opposite side debutantes can make you look very foolish at times.
6:45 Newbury -
A well entered and talented juvenile here in The Paddocks, trained by Richard Hannon. Finished last in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot. This son of Charm Spirit has to shoulder a win penalty. This will feel a lot easier but competitive.
David Evans has been patient with Disruptor who was meant to make a return to racing the other day but a late non runner due to going. He didn't have much go right on first and second start. Very much in need of the experience on debut when running on and pushed wide on the bend at Lingfield when a beaten favourite. I think that race was decent and the fact he started the jolly positives. There was money for this chestnut colt the other day at Chepstow so I wouldn't be writing him off. I get the impression connection are looking for slightly better ground so could be a non runner. However, a horse who should run a race if starting.
Hugo Palmer has been quiet this season and not hitting the high notes as yet. James Street was meant to run at Yarmouth the other week but withdrawn on a vet's certificate. There was a little bit of money for this son of Gale Force Ten. A 130,000G breeze up (2yo) purchase in the familiar ownership of M M Stables. They have stablemate Never Back Down, who is pretty smart and a note two-year-old for us last season.
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.
1:50 Chester - (9th May)
The Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes over 5f on good to soft going.
Ten two-year-olds take part - all with racecourse experience. The most significant juvenile race of the season so far. This Class 2 race has win prize money worth £14,940. Yogi's Girl won in a photo finish last year beating Black Orange by a nose. Trainer, David Evans delighted with the win. He does well in this race.
For an in-depth Guide to the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes take a look at Frankel Blog.
Light My Fire has been withdrawn by Tom Dascombe.
This will be a short and sharp post regarding the major hopes.
For the majority, a wide draw or limited ability puts pay to any real hope. In truth, this looks a four-horse race.
Dark Thunder is one of three entrants for Tom Dascombe, who lives up the road at Malpas. This grey colt is an Irish-bred son of Alhebayeb cost £42,000 when purchased at the yearling sales. He wasn't overly fancied on debut at Windsor. It turned out to be a hot race with Mark Johnston's Blown By Wind being beaten at odds of 4/11f by Kevin Ryan's Emaraaty Ana who has Royal Ascot on the cards. Dark Thunder ran out a fair third place but needs to find improvement to figure here. The stable are worthy of note at this course but others look to hold more promise.
Mick Channon has been in fine form with his two-year-olds this season. The last couple of years have been pretty dire considering his former standing but he has a decent string of juveniles - who keep on winning! Kinks is a speedster who was beaten on debut but won on his next two starts at Bath and Ripon, respectively. This son of Sixties Icon doesn't lack for pace but a wide draw (11) is a thorn in his side. It isn't impossible, but it is far from ideal. I can't see him getting to the rail, so connections may just play a waiting game and sit just off the pace and hope they can finish well. I must admit, odds of 10/3 look pretty tight because if he gets caught wide it will be a hard work.
David Evans is a talented trainer who knows his horses. Lihou ran well on debut in the Brocklesby and then beat Kinks at Kempton. This chestnut son of Mayson ran on with zeal, collaring Kinks with a little bit in hand. This April foal was been waiting for this race and could well have strengthened up if not improved a good deal on that effort back in April. Looks a live chance.
The other major contender is Mark Johnston's No Lippy. One of four fillies in the field, she is drawn not drawn too badly in stall four. She isn't the biggest daughter of Oasis Dream but a sturdy, athletic sort in the mold of a terrier. She battled well on debut to defy World Order who may have been intimidated by her wandering tactics. A horse with plenty of pace. Could well lead and try to hold on at the line.
Conclusion: This is a race which takes some winning and run at a frantic pace. No Lippy made an encouraging debut and looks to have a fighting spirit. The downside, the form is untested. I would give her the benefit of the doubt. Interesting to see if she leads because it could be a positive but will leave no hiding place. Lihou hails from a stable who do well at this course. She managed to beat Kinks with a bit in hand and looks the type to improve with racing. There is a chance she may be outpaced in the early stages, which could be a problem. One who will be running on at the line but needs to be in contention. If pressed, I would have a small each-way bet on Lihou or win bets on Lihou and No Lippy. Intriguing race and not a race I would be wagering myself.
I will try to keep this short and sweet.
Three two-year-old races. I will detail those with significant entries and give a brief thought or two.
1:45 Ripon -
5f Novice Auction Stakes on good to soft going. Nine two-year-olds take part. A mix of trainers.
The two form horses both have significant entries: Kinks, who won last time out after showing up well on debut at Kempton. Mick Channon has better juveniles than the previous few years. This son of Sixties Icon is a professional horse who is likely to lead and try and hold on.
Tony Coyle has sent out a few two-year-olds this season but the best of the lot looks to be Broken Spear who proved something of a surprise when contesting the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. This bay gelding was a 33/1 shot but ran a sterling race and only beaten three-quarters of a length. Hasn't been seen for 30+ days, which gives the impression it was due to the gelding operation. Always a slight concern why that was needed. Perhaps he had been a touch unruly since that debut effort.
Neither horse offer great value at their prices although these race type usually go to form horses which they are the only two.
2:15 Leicester -
No significantly entered two-year-olds at the time of writing. By all accounts an interesting race. I am pretty sure Evans rates Awake In Asia. While True Mason is well owned and cost a lot at the yearling sales.
5:45 Doncaster -
5f 3y EBF Maiden Stakes on soft going
Just the one significantly entered juvenile here for Mark Johnston. No Lippy is one of two fillies in this six-strong field. This British-bred daughter of Oasis Dream is well bred and a bargain buy at 44,000 euros. Related to a Listed race winner. Interesting.
3:45 Southwell - (Tuesday 13th March)
A Novice Stakes (Class 5) 3yo+ over 5f on Standard going.
Five horses take part: a couple of fair types.
Derek Shaw's debutante, Elliot The Dragon, has little chance on his racecourse bow.
The two quality horses in the field being Last Page & Haddaf. Both were detailed by Group Horse. James Tate's bay gelding may have one win to his name, but a very consistent horse in the ownership of Saif Ali. Total prize earning of £20,000+ and a 95 OR illustrate some quality. Even beaten at pattern class, far from disgraced. This son of Dawn Approach carries a win penalty. Very well respected at two with 8 significant entries.
Another horse who hasn't had much luck is Last Page. This bay gelding lost by a head on his first two starts and then unseated his rider at Windsor. His last two races at Listed class were fair for the quality of the fields. On official rating, this April foal is one pound behind Haddaf but better off in the weights.
Evans has another representative in the low-weighted Lope De Loop. This filly has an apprentice riding so may feel like a bantam weight against a couple of journeymen. However, it is unlikely she will threaten the two big hopes.
The five-year-old Rantan has an official rating of just 76 and has a 7lb apprentice considering he is 9-11.
Conclusion: Nothing of any great interest. The two class three-year-olds are noted simply because they were on our Group Horse list at two.