Good to hear from a few readers this week. I appreciate people taking the time to give their feedback. I have detailed the entrants, horses of interest and those of statistical merit. Given the time restraint, I cannot give any more information about today's runners. I am sure this will be a pointer.
I hope this helps.
Three two-year-old races for Friday:
1:50 York -
5f Langley's Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)
This Class 2 race so all juveniles are significantly entered.
Never an easy race to pin down. As I often say, it isn't a good idea to limit a winning horse and there are a good few going here.
This isn't the type of race I would bet, preferring lower grade races. If hard pressed, I would side with Lady Kermit, who is very fast and likely to set the pace and could well hold any late challengers. This course should suit and the going should be to her liking. She hasn't raced on the turf, so that is a slight unknown although I don't think it will be a problem.
One horse who may have a chance at bigger odds is David Evans' Good Vibes. What do I like about this daughter of Due Diligence? She is a good-looking filly, with size and scope to improve. She was pretty keen for a couple of furlongs at Salisbury but still managed to win. May have each-way claims at 14/1.
I won't be betting on this race as it isn't appealing to me.
2:45 Newbury -
6f Starlight Raceday Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 4) (2yo)
Let's take a look at the significantly-entered two-year-olds going here.
William Haggas has his first significantly-entered two-year-old going here in the shape of Baadirr a 180,000 guinea yearling.
Richard Hannon is warming up, although winners have been hard to find. Ziggle Pops has received two entries of late, which brings some hope. This Irish-bred son of Zoffany cost 55,000 guineas at the sales.
Gypsy Rocker is worthy of note. This Irish-bred son of Slade Power cost 38,000 euros as a yearling (cost more as a foal). Interesting this chestnut colt has been entered for two class 2 stakes races. Meehan's juveniles have been few and far between this season although Top Buck ran well in the Lily Agnes and Aroha ran well on Thursday when second at Salisbury. Brian Meehan is an interesting trainer as, strangely, his speculatively-priced debutantes often run better than his fancied horses in the betting. At odds of 25/1, this juvenile isn't without some hope.
Charlie Hills makes a return with Walton Thorns, who didn't show a great deal in the Brocklesby Stakes. He was relatively fancied that day but showed little. The apprentice onboard may be a sign that there isn't too much expected but time will tell.
Readers may notice a couple of horses that do not, at this moment, have entries but worthy of note. Light Angel, trained by John Gosden, ran well of debut when a narrow loser. This son of Dark Angel isn't the biggest, but a good-looking grey colt who will take some stopping here. With valuable experience and stats which detail a big run, I would fear this youngster if betting against it.
Heaven Forfend is the first two-year-old runner for Sir Michael Stoute in the Cheveley Park Stud silks. The betting guide is helpful. About 80% of Stoute's 2yo debutantes win priced 7/1 & less sp. In fact, priced over 9/2, the win stats are pretty poor. However, it is interesting this colt is making his debut at this time, which may indicate Royal Ascot is on the cards.
5:55 Hamilton -
Keith Dalgleish has Glasvegas noted as a significant runner here. This bay colt was a narrow loser on debut at Musselburgh.
Penmellyn ran in a tough race on debut when a long way behind Lady Kermit. That was a Class 2 stakes and this could be easier. That entry may signify more is to come.
Taxiwala doesn't have any significant entries at this time but ran well on debut, a race I think will prove to be decent. From a statistical point of view, this horse is the one to beat.
As we have said so many times before - you won't find better 2yo info anywhere on the internet.
1:40 Newmarket -
This looks an ideal opportunity for Amy Murphy's Happy Odyssey. This bay daughter of Camacho may have been a cheap breeze-up purchase at just £14,000. However, this April foal was half fancied in the betting when finishing a creditable second to Country Rose who is sharp over five furlongs. She isn't much of a price but a recent Listed race entry gives some confidence. The stable have a couple of talented two-year-olds to give some measure.
2:20 Nottingham -
Richard Hughes has done a little better with this season's two-year-old string although he never fills me with confidence. Swiss Pride showed a glimmer of ability o debut, running on after a slow start. He is a willing type who battled when runner-up against The Last Party. Shame this is a seven-runner race for each-way bets. Should go well.
2:30 Newcastle -
Amadeus Grey made his debut at York when ''never dangerous''. He was quite fancied at Wetherby stepping up in distance and down in class. A creditable effort that day when second best. Could well start this at odds-on.
Mark Johnston's Aisling is no talent and one significant entry sometime back details a horse who is heading toward handicaps. She steps up in distance. Interesting to consider whether this is a plus or minus. The only thing I would say about this filly is that she hasn't had much go right in all three races so far: pulling too hard and then pushed far too wide last time out.
3:05 Newcastle -
Hugo Palmer hasn't set the world alight this season with his juveniles but there is still time to make his mark. Almufti cost 120,000G at the yearling sales and pretty strong in the betting on debut when starting at 3/1. This good-looking colt traveled well but tired in the closing stages. That was a very competitive debut, in a race worth over £30,000. I would expect a big run. Perhaps worthy of an interest if touching each way prices.
6:30 Hamilton -
Port Of Leith has been consistent although beaten on three start. The only horse to be given a significant entry.
1:40 Hamilton -
Quite a restricted race type which favours horses with race experience. Usain Bolt ran well on debut over five furlongs as if needing the run and most likely an extra furlong. He won next start when stepping up to six furlongs at Newmarket. Then dipping his toe into a tough Woodcote Stakes at Epsom. This son of Casamento was no challenger to the easy winner but plugged on to take second place. Has to defy a win penalty and dropping back to the minimum trip. Hamilton is a stiff course, and he may not be found wanting for pace, but it could be the case he is. Not sure if I would jump in at short odds because if outpaced mid race will be much bigger odds on the exchanges.
2:10 Hamilton -
Kevin Ryan is a calculated trainer and not one to give significant entries for the fun of it. Sense Of Belonging started his racing career in a valuable Maiden Stakes over 6f at York. He ran on well, after taking a keen hold, and finished third. This is the only juvenile Ryan has given a Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) entry. Unless there is a real surprise package, should be hard to beat at odds-on.
2:30 Royal Ascot -
Highlight of the day the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2).
2:40 Haydock -
New Winds, trained by Mark Johnston, ran out a decent winner on debut, a race where the form has been franked. He missed the Woodcote Stakes to go to Doncaster but trailed home last. Whether the soft ground was an issue or he went a stride too fast for conditions, only time will tell. Connections will be hoping his daughter of New Approach can get back to the winner's enclosure.
3:00 Yarmouth -
Course and distance winner Artair comes back to the Norfolk coast with a winner's penalty but high hopes of making his presence felt. He come unstuck when stepped up to Listed class when competing in the National Stakes. Spencer led that day, and it was a stiff task against a decent field. This drop in class will help connections see where this colt is at.
6:30 Hamilton -
A restricted auction stakes. Diviner won second start and has to defy a penalty.