2:00 Goodwood -
Pablo Eskobarr has been running well without managing to get into the winner's enclosure. Steps up in distance. I'm never keen on taking short odds at the best of times and soft ground is an added dilemma.
Pablo Eskobarr 4/7 1st
3:25 Redcar -
Interesting to see James Bethell with Edgewood, racing in the familiar silks of David Armstrong. This bay colt is a son of Garswood was entered for the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York but made his debut at Leicester when running a creditable 6th at odds of 16/1. This homebred looked in need of the run on debut. Not the trainer to give significantly entries away lightly so adds to confidence. Likely to improve for that first start and holds each-way claims.
Edgewood 7/2 2nd
3:55 Redcar -
David O'Meara fields Blue Gardenia who has run well on both starts and should go well here.
Blue Gardenia 4/1 5th
6:15 Wolverhampton -
Richard Hannon a mighty string of significantly entered juveniles and Fox Power has run three times making hard work of his first two starts when a beaten favourite. Probably showed a similar level of form last time out at Ascot. The apprentice rides to give a handy 3lb advantage. A low draw is good on these turning courses. Looks the best chance to date but may be vulnerable to others.
Fox Power 9/4f 1st
6:45 Wolverhampton -
Paul Cole had a decent debut effort run the other day at Kempton. Cool Reflection was relatively fancied on debut when showing little but ran much better second start at 33/1, when runner-up at Newbury. Thrown in the deep end when contesting the Qatar Richmond Stakes (Group 2) at Goodwood. Cole isn't the type of trainer to just give an entry for no reason let alone compete at Group class. Come here after a wind operation. This could be his best chance to date for Mrs Fitri Hay.
Cool Reflection 7/1 2nd
Well, yesterday was something quite exceptional. I will detail today's horses of significance but don't expect everyone to be a winner!
We can only try, hey.
1:35 Ascot -
We start off with a horse that's been detailed on our 10 Dark Horse Mailing. Charlie Appleby's Magical Illusion. This bay colt is a home-bred son of Dubawi is out of a talented mare in Pimpernel, which many of you may remember when trained by the disgraced Mahmood Al Zarooni. She won four races from eleven starts including a Listed race. Total prize earnings just under £100,000. Magical Illusion is definitely one of the better two-year-olds in the stable. Debutantes are never easy to assess but this April foal is likely to go well.
Richard Hannon's Production won on debut and clearly held in some regard by connections. This British-bred son of Oasis Dream will appreciate a step up in distance. A win penalty does make life difficult. A good few horses have struggled to give weight away this season and if Magical Illusion is very classy it will be even more difficult. However, he is a proven winner with valuable experience and that counts for a lot.
As usual, no hiding place. Repaupo has been noted by John Gosden. This American-bred son of Quality Road races in the familiar silks of George Strawbridge. He is homebred. Gosden's debutantes can go well when priced 13/2 & less SP.
Fox Power is well respected in Hannon's stable A beaten favourite on both starts.
Sheila's Showcase has been noted by Denis Coackly but has a stiff task with a winning penalty.
In addition, Fox Leicester has been noted by Andrew Balding. Was quite fancied in the betting but ran no race on debut. Has been off course for one hundred plus days. A huge price but may be capable of better.
Conclusion: This looks like a stiff race. Plenty of respected juveniles. Magical Illusion is well regarded and sure he has ability. Whether you want to bet at 6/4 is a matter of opinion. An intriguing race.
2:00 Thirsk -
Although not significantly entered, Lieutenant Silver has respectable win and place claims. Maybe of interest if available at each-way prices.
2:10 Ascot -
George Margarson doesn't have many two-year-olds in his string but Model Guest is a lovely filly who deserves to get a win under her belt. This daughter of Showcasing has run a number of sterling races. With an official rating of 93, she is a consistent type.
Shambolic was made favourite on debut and won by a neck. Gosden has given this daughter of Shamardal a significant entry. Once again, life gets more difficult when shouldering a winning penalty.
Air Force Amy has been entered for a Class 2 race, which gives an aspect of confident. However, very few of their debutantes win when priced over 8/1 SP.
Conclusion: Doesn't look much value regarding the two favourites. I would take a watching brief.