Saturday's 2YO Update

Very busy. I will be travelling again this weekend back to West Palm Beach, Florida. I've got up extra early to detail today's info. 

1:30 Haydock - 

Sparkle Roll cost 750,000 euros. Expectations were high on debut but John Gosden's daughter of Kingman disappointed. The 2/1f looked very inexperienced, starting slowly and flashing her tail, ultimately finishing fifth, beaten six lengths. Bookmakers haven't given up on this horse and punters will be hoping to see more today.  

Mick Channon has a decent string of juveniles and Air Force Amy was set a real challenge on debut when running a gallant third behind a couple of talents. She was beaten many lengths at Beverley next start when Mot Juste cruised home. Air Force Amy wasn't suited by a wide draw and done well to beat the rest by four lengths. 

Other horses of note, Maamora has been given a Class 2 entry. This daughter of Dubawi finished behind Sparkle Roll on debut when backed from 13/2 - 7/2. Simon Crisford knows his stuff and I it's possible this filly disappointed that day and will run much better at respectable odds. 

Sparkle Roll 15/2 1st
Air Force Amy 8/1 3rd
Maamora 22/1 8th 

Conclusion: Sparkle Roll is likely to show more today, especially if strong in the betting. Maamora may have disappointed on debut and could be big odds. Difficult to assess in ways but interesting. Air Force Amy ran well on debut and may have been made to look worse than she is at Beverley. All three have claims. 

1:55 Ripon -

Three entrants here. Luxor and Fastman have proven their worth winning. They have to defy win penalties. As we have seen this season, it isn't easy to win with such a burden although true talents do. 

Just Be Friendly is interesting. On form she looks pretty moderate but that has been due to temperament. On both starts, this daughter of Toronado has pulled much too hard and ruined any hope of winning. No doubt this is the reason Bell has dropped back to 6f. That may well help although you get the feeling she needs seven furlongs but has failed to settle. Just Be Friendly may have each-way claims although temperamental horses can prove to be difficult to win. 

Fastman 11/8f 1st 
Just Be Friendly 9/2 2nd 
Luxor 2/1 3rd

2:00 Chester - 

Jensue has been noted by Tom Dascombe. 

2:40 Haydock - 

Horses of note: Drogon & Oak Park. 

Oak Park looked inexperienced on debut but was getting his act together at the death. Show improve for that first start and holds respectable each-way claims. 

Oak Park 15/2 6th 
Drogon 5/1 9th 

4:15 Newmarket - 

This looks a pretty hot contest. 

Imperial Charm is held in some regard by Simon Crisford. While Sunday Star disappointed on debut and then well backed at Goodwood when going close. To be honest, I wasn't happy with the ride given that day as the horse really should have won. 

*Truly Adored has been noted by Richard Hannon but will need to be pretty smart and primed to win on debut. 

Sunday Star 7/2 1st
Imperial Charm 6/4f 3rd 

* NR

4:50 Newmarket - 

Ralph Beckett has a fair string of juveniles this season. Desirous disappointed on debut but ran well next start behind Dandhu, who is a lovely, strong filly who has run well in Group class.  

Desirous 4/1 2nd 

Each way treble - 

1:55 Ripon - Just Be Friendly (7/1)
2:40 Haydock - Oak Park (5/1)
4:15 Newmarket - Sunday Star (7/2)

Sunday's 2YO Update

Just a couple of races at York. I'm actually looking at the races as I write this, using Group Horse 2018. 

I say this to show the working practice. It isn't difficult to do this work yourself. I say this not so much to save myself time but for readers to learn and familiarise themselves with the horses. 

I know most people don't do this but I can tell you now, you will appreciate a lot more if you do. 

3:25 York - 

7f Judith Marshall Memorial British EBF Stallions Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Sire/Dam-Restricted) (Class 3) (2yo)

Going: Good to soft

Runners: 10 

Significantly entered horses: Ventura Ocean

Analysis: Just the one entrant noted by the trainer. Richard Fahey's Ventura Ocean is a son of Raven's Pass out of an unraced mare. In the familiar silks of Middleham Park Racing. This February foal is a talented juvenile who hasn't done much wrong in four starts. He finished runner-up on his first two starts, then won at Pontefract when stepping up to 7f. More recently, contesting the Tattersall Acomb Stakes (Group 3). He wasn't disgraced in seventh place. A leading chance here. These win penalties make life difficult for even talented juveniles. I must admit, I find them a thorn in the side. The horse to beat but not my idea of a bet simply because I think these penalties are more difficult to defy than realised. 

4:30 York - 

5½f (5f89y) Sha. Intelligent Ideas That Get Results British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 3) (2yo)

Going: Good to soft

Runners: 10 

Significantly entered horses: *Little Legs, Broken Spear, Fastman, Three Card Trick & Baldwin. 

Analysis: Being a Class 3 race with respectable prize money a good few of these have significant entries. 

I'd take a watching brief. 

* NR