A quick run through the significant entrants. (Post after the race).
12:15 Lingfield -
Barys has raced four times for Archie Watson. This son of Kodiac has been fancied on all starts and not beaten that far when racing from 6f - 1m. A fourth in the Convivial Maiden Stakes when beaten less than two lengths a fine effort. Watson must be a look frustrated that this bay cold is still a maiden. The blinkers have been applied for the first time. Not the best of draws in stall eight.
Barys 2/1 1st
Note: A very easy success for Archie Watson's horse. Unchallenged.
1:00 Lingfield -
Humanitarian ran well on debut for John Gosden when runner-up to stablemate Kick On. This son of Noble Mission was priced 12/1 that day, most likely in need of the run and a fraction bigger price that should have by being second string. Will start odds-on for this race.
Humanitarian 5/6f 1st
Note: Another easy winner by 5 lengths.
6:45 Wolverhampton -
Interesting to see how Magic Illusion goes on this third start. Charlie Appleby's charge has made hard work of winning so far. This well-bred son of Dubawi was priced even money to make a winning debut at Ascot. Finished second best. Then failed to shine when the jolly at Newmarket, stepping up to one mile. That was a pretty stiff race but it was still a somewhat disappointing effort. Connections are stepping up to nine and a bit furlongs, so time will tell if this works. This doesn't look the strongest field and valuable experience should help.
Magic Illusion 1/2f 3rd
Note: Just plain disappointing and the gelding operation hasn't changed too much. Just not as good as connections thought.
7:15 Wolverhampton -
Hello Bangkok goes here for Andrew Balding and the late owner of King Power Racing Co Ltd. Park House Stables have had a topsy-turvy year with their two-year-old with outsiders winning aplenty while favourites have come undone. This bay daughter of Tamayuz ran well on debut when narrowly denied by a talented horse in Shambolic. However, punters were left feeling all at sea when this 200,000 guinea-yearling purchase flopped next start at the even-money favourite. A shocking effort in fifth beaten over ten lengths. I would draw a line through that run as it was too bad to be true. Balding is dropping this horse in distance. Difficult to know if this is a good or bad idea. I generally consider that the trainer knows best. This filly is held in some regard and the team will be hoping for more today although from a far from an ideal draw.
Hello Bangkok 2/1 4th
Note: Gives the impression that the trainer got it wrong. The distance must have been a furlong too short although time may tell it didn't make too much difference. On review, didn't have much go right and capable of better. No match for the winner but may have a win in her this season.
Very Busy so this will be skeletal.
2:20 Salisbury -
Richard Hannon's *Beat Le Bon is well respected in the stable and has strong claims.
Bo Samraan has been noted by connections.
2:40 Haydock -
Roger Varian has San Donata who ran well on debut and then faltered at Listed class.
William Haggas has Stakeholder who didn't have much luck in running at Great Yarmouth. Drops in the distance. Has good stats to hit the frame.
Beaten favourite, Wise Counsel, is most probably a bit better than we have seen so far. Certainly, from significant entries, you would expect to see more on this third start.
2:50 Salisbury -
Rowland Ward, Fox Premier, Mister Chiange & Takumi are noted runners here.
3:10 Haydock -
Another very competitive race. Waldstern and *West End Charmer have won and need to defy win penalties. Both won well. The former running on in style at Newmarket. The latter disappointing on debut but proving victorious second start in emphatic fashion. A lovely big colt who really does look the part.
Karl Burke rates Kadar. The stable have taken their time to run here and that speaks well. This son of Scat Daddy cost 700,000 euros at the breeze-up sales and in the ownership of Phoenix Thoroughbreds Ltd. Debutantes are often a law unto themselves and taking on winners is no easy task. On the plus side, they have to carry a penalty (West End Charmer has just a 3lb disadvantage). I can imagine Kadar is coming here with fair each-way claims. Definitely no easy task but a horse worthy of appreciation. Given on 10 Dark Horse Mailing.
Prejudice has been given a class 2 entry. Looks to have his work cut out.
Fascinating race.
3:50 Salisbury -
Andrew Balding is a talented trainer an there was a lot to like about Hello Bangkok on debut when running on with verve to be beaten a neck. This bay daughter of Tamayuz cost 200,000 guineas at the breeze-up sales in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd.
5:40 Chelmsford -
More Than Likely has won twice and a fair juvenile rated 86.
* NR
A short-priced each-way treble
I must apologise for a couple of quiet days. I'm in the USA so been very difficult to get online, think and work.
Let's take a quick look at the races.
2:05 Newmarket -
A Novice Stakes over 7f on good to firm going. A big field with 17 runners and number well respected.
Canton Queen trained by Richard Hannon.
Dandhu, trained by David Elsworth. Definitely one of the stable's better two-year-olds, although a small string. Ran well on debut and should be thereabout today.
Andrew Balding is a talented trainer and *Hello Bangkok is held in some regard by connections King Power Racing Co Ltd. Ran well on debut, losing narrowly. Interesting and should run a big race.
Ice Gala has received a significant entry and ran well on debut when third beaten less than one length.
Simon Crisford doesn't have many two-year-old horses of significance but Imperial Charm is worthy of note. Debutantes are never the easiest of horses to assess although the trainer is a good judge and his better juveniles go well.
Sir Michael Stoute has Layaleena, a debutante, who is a 130,000 guineas yearling purchase. Very few of their debutantes win over 7/1 SP.
Conclusion: A competitive heat with a few talents on show. The debutantes will need to be very good and primed to win. The betting may well tell the story for Layaleena. If strong in the betting has decent claims. If weak, best watched. Imperial Charm has the ability to go well. Dandhu is one of the major hopes, especially if priced 13/2 & less. I'm pretty confident Elsworth rates this filly. She ran well on debut and the stable does well with two-year-olds on their second start. A similar thought can be afforded to Hello Bangkok. Balding likes this filly and she will go close.
* NR
2:15 Ffos Las -
Momkin has to fend off rivals by carrying a winning penalty but clearly held in high regard by Roger Charlton.
3:15 Newmarket -
Richard Hannon's Mordred sets a high standard for this race A straightforward colt. He has achieved an official rating of 91, which is plenty enough and more to win a normal race. Interesting to see Sir Michael Stoute has Sangarius going here. This son of Kingman is held in some regard. The stable can ready a debutante and they can go in at short odds. It will take a serious performance to lower the colours of Mordred in what looks like a two-horse race on betting.
5:50 Salisbury -
An auction stakes. These generally go to form horse and most likely to the favourite Flashcard who won in some style on debut at big odds [33/1]. Has to defy a winner's penalty but that is more likely in these restrictive race types than others. Bill Turner fields the only significant entrant in this field. John Betjemen is a sturdy sort who ran well on debut before disappointing. Come back after a long break, stepping up to 7f and didn't do much wrong. Dropping back to 6f shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure this colt wants decent going and may even benefit is it turned soft.