1:30 Nottingham -
Dubai Icon wasn't fancied in the betting on debut at Goodwood. Has received at Class 2 stakes race entry. Favourite to win.
Note: Wins comfortably.
Dubai Icon 11/10 1st
1:50 Bath -
Mark Johnston has a vast string of two-year-olds and few have the size or scope of West End Charmer (pictured). This son of Nathaniel disappointed on debut but ran out an easy winner second time out at Windsor. He hasn't been seen for over two months. Stepping up in distance to 1m 2f. A win penalty makes life a little harder. However, this mighty colt shouldn't be too burdened. Priced 2/5f suggests the opposition have their work cut out today.
West End Charmer 8/11f 1st
Note: All the way success for West End Charmer who will very easily.
3:25 Bath -
Richard Hughes has achieved more this year with his two-year-olds than previously. He always seemed very disappointing. However, this has been a productive season. Pink Iceberg has been kept busy with five starts to date. This daughter of Kodiac won well at Yarmouth. Has run well on most starts and not disgraced last time at Listed class when a 50/1 shot. Has to shoulder a win penalty which isn't easy.
Summer Blossom had been a model of consistency. She was beaten favourite at Catterick. It may be the case the first two horses are fair. However, it could be that this Irish-bred daughter of Society Rock is treading water. After so many races, it is a distinct possibility she is regressing. This race will tell us more.
Nice to see Brian Barr with a two-year-old. Haats Off started in the Brocklesby Stakes and has done connections proved in her six starts to date. It proves Barr is selective with placing his filly. This January foal hasn't managed to get her head in front but run a number of fine races for the grade. She ran well at Leicester last time out when racing over 6f. She likes testing conditions so it may be positive if the ground is softer than not.
Summer Blossom 2/1 1st
Haats Off 7/2 2nd
Pink Iceberge 4/1 3rd
Note: Good to see Summer Blossom win today. It must be the case she bumped into a couple of decent horses last time at Catterick. Pink Iceberg showed pace but tired into third, while Haats Off plugged on for place money.
6:45 Newcastle -
Tom Dascombe has Drogon racing here. This son of Zoffany's form has been a touch up and down. He won well second time out at Haydock before being outclassed at Group 2. An official rating of 93 details a talented horse. Needs to defy the win penalty.
Drogon 11/10f 2nd
Note: Drogon ran well under a penalty but wasn't good enough to beat debutante Jack Berry House who won at 80/1. The winner, trained by Michael Easterby, looks a decent prospect and would have been an unlucky loser after being short of room.
An EBF Novice Stakes over 5f (4f 214y) on Standard going.
Eight two-year-olds take part: two once raced and field of debutantes. Three fillies take on the colts.
Arthur's Spirit & Haats Off made their debut in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. The former, trained by Bill Turner, who often sends his best juvenile to contest this race, failed to shine. This son of Swiss Spirit was relatively fancied in the betting at odds of 10/1. He showed fair speed before fading into eighth. On that performance, there is little to sing about. The other side of the coin, the ground was testing and horses can often disappoint on debut. I would imagine connections expected more. Turner usually tells it is as it is so pre-race thoughts may reveal they are still hopeful. Best take a watching brief although not impossible to show more.
Haats Off is a chestnut daughter of Haatef. Brian Barr isn't known for having smart juveniles and reason she was 66/1. In truth, this January foal showed excellent pace before tiring at the furlong pole. I imagine they went a little too fast although the soft ground may have been the cause of her downfall. With experience onside, connections may blast from the stalls and gain a lead. Whether she will hold that pace to the line is the gamble.
Brian Barr's Brahma Kamal was entered to run in the Brocklesby but withdrawn most likely due to the soft going. This bay colt cost 14,000G at the yearling sales.
Interesting to see how Robyn Brisland's string goes this season. He had a few fair juveniles last year. Insanto was similarly entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take part. This son of Charm Spirit and cost just 2,500G. The mare enjoyed a trip.
Ontoawinner and Karl Burke are no stranger to success. Majestic Appeal is worthy of note, especially if fancied in the betting. This April foal is a son of Heeraat and 20,000E yearling purchase by the trainer. One for the shortlist.
Two trainers who can hit the floor running are Richard Fahey and David Evans.
North Korea is a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle out of a multiple-winning mare who prevailed on debut. A relatively cheap yearling purchase at just 5,500E. Evans is never the easiest of trainers to assess on debut. They can go very well or fail to shine. The betting is the best guide.
Richard Fahey is a trainer to respect with debutantes. His racing club do pretty well, so it is worth noting Mr Buttons. This son of Elzaam cost 21,000G at the yearling sales. The stable had the third in the Brocklesby, which gives them form with Haats Off and Arthur's Spirit.
Tony Coyle had the second in the Brocklesby, with a fair sort in Brocken Spear. *Maggies Passion is a bay daughter of Sir Percy. The mare enjoyed a trip so may need further in time.
Conclusion: A race to watch. A couple of form horses from the Brocklesby Stakes. Haats Off showed good pace but difficult to assess in some ways. Arthur's Spirit showed little but may be better simply because Turner often sends his better horses to compete in the race he debuted. Of the unraced, Majestic Appeal is worthy of interest from a stable who can go well on their racecourse bow. Mr Buttons hails from a stable who know the time of day and form lines with the two raced. North Korea is another from a trainer who can shine and if backed would bring added confidence. This doesn't look the strongest of heats. I'll be taking a watching brief.
NR: Maggies Passion