1:45 Redcar -
A lowly Claiming Stakes. I hardly dare mention Elieden, trained by Gay Kelleway. This two-year-old has been given a few significant entries over the season but now target the bottom of the barrel. This bay daughter of Camacho is proving very hard work. I wouldn't advise a bet but detailing this juvenile simply because she is the only significant entry in the field. She was half fancied at Wolverhampton. A slow start, hampered and running wide on the bend, gave no chance at all. Stepping up to 7f. At least this is a straight course so it may give less opportunity to find problems. Ten starts and no wins don't impress. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Elieden 3/1 2nd
Note: Elieden proved she is just about up to winning a race but, still, not today. Ran a fair race in second. She isn't the biggest of horses but seemed to be unbalanced for most not sure if that was jockey or horse.
3:20 Redcar -
Andrew Balding's Fox Leicester has run twice this season. Fancied on debut when disappointing but showing much more second start at 20-1. A couple of Class 2 Stakes entries give some element of confidence although far from one of the better juveniles at Kingsclere. This 310,000 euro purchase races in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. This step up to one mile should help.
Hugo Palmer has Barend Boy. This gelding has raced eight times. Looked to have ability on debut when favourite but proved very unreliable this season. He did manage to win at nursery level when rated 79. At best, this son of Oasis Dream has some standard (proved by the highest official rating of 89). However, he didn't run very well at all last time out over one mile. That run must have been too bad to be true because Eeyore the donkey wouldn't have been that far afield. The visor has been applied. Another horse who has had a long season which always brings concern.
Fox Leicester 9/4 2nd
Barend Boy 28/1 5th
Note: Fox Leicester ran a sound race but couldn't match John Gosden's debutante who put in a classy display. Not a bad run in second place. Barend Boy led for a long way and wasn't disgraced in 5th place at 28/1.
4:05 Haydock -
William Haggas has had a fine two-year-old season. Plenty of winners. Coup De Gold has been noted by the stable but proven disappointing on two starts to date. A couple of placed efforts doesn't sound too bad but 10 lengths+ defeats don't sit so comfortable. This son of Maxios cost 155,000 euros at the yearling sales. Priced 3-1 on both runs. He is stepping up to one mile which may help. The betting suggests he is still fancied so punters haven't given up the ghost just yet. Many will be hoping that run was too bad to be true. It was soft going that day. I wondered if that was the reason! However, the going today is heavy. That in itself is enough to put me off. If strong in the betting, it would suggest better is expected. These disappointing horses are difficult. If they are short odds you are sucked into thinking they are decent but is that value? Conversely, if they are a huge price you have a price but figure little chance of success. Interesting. I'll be watching.
Coup De Gold 3/1 2nd
Note: Ran a fair race in second. Always looked uncomfortable hanging and looking an awkward ride. Not sure if it was the ground, but didn't seem very straightforward to me.
6:15 Newcastle -
These restricted auction races often make a good betting medium. Boston George is very interesting. Trained by Keith Dalgliesh, this bay colt is a son of Raven's Pass in the ownership of Weldspec Glasgow Ltd (who have some decent types with the stable). This March foal cost just $7,000 when purchased at the yearling sales. He ran well on debut when competing in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. In addition, he has received a couple more significant entries. He is held in some regard by connections. Looks to have respectable claims. Very unlikely to drift to each-way prices, but if it happened a very good bet.
Boston George 4/5f 1st
Note: Always going to be a hard horse to beat here. Not much of a price but a professional display to win well.
Plenty of class 2yo races to consider today.
Here is list to recap:
1:50 Newmarket (G)
2:05 York (N)
2:25 Newmarket (G)
3:15 York
3:35 Newmarket (G)
4:45 Newmarket
5:00 York
5:20 Newmarket
6:15 Wolverhampton (S)
7:45 Wolverhampton
Key: (G) Group race, (N) Nursery & (S) Selling race
We don't consider Group races as betting races (rarely) but simply enjoy them as a conclusion to the two-year-old journey for many quality horses (that we detail throughout the year).
3:15 York -
A Class 3 race so a good number of these are likely to have been given significant entries at some point. I am writing and reviewing at the same time - so we will see!
Exalted Angel was noted by Group Horse Daily before making her debut for Karl Burke. Starting her career over 5f at Nottingham, saw a pleasing first start. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel ran well, closing nicely in the final furlong. Inexperience may well have cost her victory that day. This February foal should be wiser today. From a statistical point has very good each-way claims.
Decent price money going here so there is likely to be some opposition.
Richard Hannon's Spell is quite well regarded. She ran well on debut when narrowly foiled. Beaten at Listed class over course and distance. This Irish-bred daughter of Slade Power was outpaced but run on well that day. She had a prime draw at Kempton when stepping up to 6f. Travelled well and clung to the rail but was caught at the furlong pole. It was a slightly disappointing effort in ways. Considering Spell had been off course since early May it is possible she was in need of the run.
Broken Spear has been very busy this season. A true speedster, this gelding has run nine times and achieved one win when scooting clear by seven lengths. He has been a credit to Tony Coyle and been placed on numerous occasions. Most recently, far from disgraced at Listed class. Coming back to stakes class means having the win penalty as a burden which doesn't help matters. Likely to lead and hope to steal a few easy lengths, trying to hold on to grim death.
Tim Easterby does well at this course. Arletta Star was entered for a Listed race earlier in the year but didn't take that race. She wasn't fancied on debut but ran with some promise in fifth. Then beaten pretty easily into third by a couple of decent sorts over 6f at Haydock. Interesting to see this horse drop back in trip. Needs to find a lot of improvement but I do get the impression connections think she has some ability.
Conclusion: An interesting race. Exalted Angel has a decent chance and if an each-way price worthy of respect. Spell is difficult to assess. She may be better than seen as connections must think a bit of her. Broken Spear will do well to defy the win penalty. Probably set the pace and tire in the closing furlong. While Arletta Star needs to find a lot of improvement. A couple of other form horses [Angel Alexander & Skeetah] make it a race of some depth.
Broken Spear 4/1 1st
Angel Alexander 11/8f 2nd
Spell 7/1 3rd
Arletta Star 25/1 6th
Note: Broken Spear showed his pace and literally had the opposition on the ropes. A great performance under a penalty. Spell ran on well but needs a stiffer course. Exalted Angel proved disappointing.
4:45 Newmarket -
Charlie Hills has noted Rhossili Down. She ran well behind the ultra-talented Fashion's Star (who we noted in advance of debut).
Rhossili Down 11/2 9th
Note: Rhossili Down didn't do much. Interesting to see if she bounces back next start as this looks too bad to be true.
5:00 York -
Ralph Beckett has been in good form with his juveniles. Sam Cooke ran well on debut when beaten by a fair talent in Artois. Punters were left reeling when he was beaten by Ticklish at 2/5f. The pair beat the third by over ten lengths so it may have been the case Mark Johnston's winner is fair. That race was at auction class, as is this, so it should give plenty of opportunities to hit the frame.
Couldn't help but smile when I noticed Cadeau D'Amour running. Richard Fahey's son of Camacho was entered for the Brocklesby Stakes. See, how many people could tell you that piece of information? He cost £35,000 at the yearling sales. Now in the ownership of Middleham Park.
Sam Cooke 2/1 1st
Cadeau D'Amour 25/1 unp
Note: Sam Cooke had shown a level of ability and enjoyed a tidy success.
5:20 Newmarket -
William Haggas has Night Secret. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel looked in need of the experience on debut. Been entered for a Class 2 stakes race which gives some confidence although far from the best in the stable.
Another filly with a similar entry is Richard Hannon's Star Of War. A big price on debut at Leicester behind stablemate Canton Queen. Ran a great race when stepping up to one mile at this course three weeks ago. The first two beat the rest well. She lost on the nod after a sustained battle with Peter Chapple-Hyam's Sh Boom. Interesting to see how this drop back in distance goes.
Star Of War 5/1 5th
Night Secret 10/1 8th
Note: Night Secret was very weak in the betting which suggested she wasn't good enough. Star Of War ran a respectable race.
6:15 Wolverhampton -
We don't, generally, take much notice of Selling races. Often it is to do with time so you should keep checking yourself. A couple of noted entrants. Bill Turner's Arthur's Spirit. Interesting to see Gay Kellway has Elieden still trying to get that first win after nine starts. Will it be tenth time lucky?
Elieden 5/1 8th
Arthur's Spirit 12/1 9th
Note: Elieden was slow away, bumped and then ran wide. No chance. Maybe capable of winning at this grade if/when something goes right. Arthur's Secret was very weak in the betting and out of form.
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
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