Very busy until I get home on Friday, so I must apologise for the posts on the day rather than the night before.
Let's a have a look at today's significant entrants.
1:30 Ayr -
Charlie Hills has Dark Jedi going here. This son of Kodiac won by a nose on debut and then runner-up at Listed class. Has to defy a win penalty.
Takumi wasn't fancied on debut and was never involved. A similar price second start where he ran on in the closing stages to gain third place.
Note: Reason why it pays to check yourself (thanks, Craig). I missed that Kevin Ryan's George Mallory has been noted by connections. Ran well on debut in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. Must have each-way claims.
Dark Jedi 11/10f 2nd
Takumi 15/2 8th
George Mallory 9/2 9th
It is worth noting it is testing ground which may help or hinder.
2:10 Pontefract -
Karl Burke has a good team. Serengeti Song has been noted by the trainer. This bay colt has run creditably on both starts and made favourite to take the spoils. The stable do well at this course.
Serengeti Song 8/15f 5th
2:20 Yarmouth -
William Haggas' Boerhan displayed inexperience on debut but managed to join the leader on the post to a dead heat. This Irish-bred son of Sea The Stars was a costly purchase at 270,000 guineas. Not seen for over one month, this extra furlong will help. Once again, we see a horse trying to defy a win penalty at odds-on.
Boerhan 1/2f 3rd
2:50 Yarmouth -
William Haggas has another potentially smart two-year-old heading to the coast with Hidden Message. This daughter of Scat Daddy races in the familiar silks of Qatar Racing Ltd. She cost $150,000 at the yearling sales. A recent non-runner at Haydock due to the unsuitable ground. Debutantes can be tricky to assess although this filly is in Haggas' best betting guide.
King's Girl has been noted by Sir Michael Stoute although not one of the major players in the stable. The form of her debut at Newmarket looks decent enough although run off her feet at Brighton. This extra half furlong should help.
Hidden Message 13/8f 1st
King's Girl 7/2 5th
1:30 Ascot -
Finoah
I'Letyouknow
Swiper
Finoah is determined but keeps getting beat. I'Letyouknow has been beaten favourite on both starts to date. Open to further improvement. Swiper finished second last time out.
1:50 Haydock -
Sparkle Roll
An expensive 750,000 yearling purchase. Strongly fancied in the betting. Gosden has a decent string of two-year-olds and they often go well when favourite.
2:05 Ascot -
Prince Eiji
Red Armada
Roger Varian's juveniles are running well and Prince Eiji is definitely one of the best in the stable. This 2,600,000 guineas yearly cost an arm and a leg and held in high regard. Debutantes are difficult to assess at times but this one could go well on his first start. An each-way price may give a little more room to play with.
Red Armada wasn't overly fancied in the betting on debut and finished fourth of six. A huge price here at 25/1. Needs to improve but not impossible. Would give greater encouragement if backed.
2:25 Haydock -
*Hidden Message
William Haggas has a decent string of juveniles and they have been running well. Hidden Message cost $150,000 at the yearling sales.
* NR
4:25 Musselburgh -
Sky Defender
Sky Defender is a very capable horse who ran well on debut at Goodwood when narrowly foiled. There must have been an issue at York when competing in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. If back to best has strong claims here.
6:15 Kempton -
Sam Cooke
Ralph Beckett's two-year-olds have been putting in some nice performances of late with a few decent winners. I actually missed Frangrant Bell who won on debut. Sam Cooke has been given a similar entry. This bay colt wasn't the most expensive at 36,000 euros but interesting from a low draw.
Artois doesn't have any significant entries but from a statistical point of view has respectable win and place claims.
6:45 Kempton -
Almufti
Albert Finney
Hugo Palmer isn't having the best of seasons with his two-year-olds. Blonde Warrior is about as good as they get. Almufti hasn't been seen for over two months. This son of Toronado has been fancied on both starts. He was far too keen last time out at Newcastle. There may have been a few problems along the way because it's a lengthy absence. Stepping up in distance so will need to settle.
Albert Finney was on our 10 Dark Horse mailing. One of few to disappoint. Two races haven't seen too much potential although relatively fancied on both starts. The 25/1 odds suggests something isn't quite happening. This homebred has the hood applied no doubt with the thought of finding the key to ability. Be nice to see this horse show a little bit more. Time will tell.
7:15 Kempton -
Imperial Charm
Dandhu
Short Skirt
Desirous
As you can see, plenty of well-entered two-year-olds going here. A fascinating race. For each-way punters, it is a shame this isn't three places. Imperial Charm and Dandhu ran in the same race at Newmarket. It was a competitive heat and there wasn't a great deal between the pair in third and fourth place respectively. The former trained by Simon Crisford is one of the stable's better two-year-olds. Dandhu is definitely in the top two of David Elsworth's youngsters. He does very well at this course. This daughter of Dandy Man is a burly type. She didn't get a very good start at Newmarket and Mosse seemed very slow to get her in contention, which cost her dear in the closing furlong. I think she would have gone close to winning. She does seem to be a little tardy from the stalls which doesn't help. Potentially this could be a problem on this turning course. I suspect she will run off the pace and maybe bigger odds in running if you bet on the exchanges.
Imperial Charm is a decent horse and I wouldn't knock her. In fact, from a low draw, she may well lead and could make valuable lengths over the likes of Dandhu. I can see Crisford instructing front-running tactics. I could be a battle with Dandhu at the line.
This is a competitive race.
Short Skirt has proven she is no slouch with three seconds to date. Eve Johnston-Houghton's charge has been beaten less than two lengths on all starts. She has cheekpieces applied and stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time.
To add to the dilemma Ralph Beckett fields Desirous. This daughter of Kingman was well fancied on debut but disappointed. The going description of good may have hidden the fact it was slow ground. The time being 5 seconds slow indicates some ease. I would imagine connections expected much better. I think this filly is well respected in the stable and could well improve on this second start.
Conclusion: Pity this race is so competitive. A few hidden dangers make it a tricky affair, especially with just six runners. I like Dandhu but there is just a little too much going on for me. I can see her touching much bigger odds in running but that will be an obstacle to overcome. Pretty sure Imperial Charm will lead and try to hang on. Short Skirt is able. While Desirous is probably much better than most imagine. A watching brief. A good few winners will come from this race so I may just hope one or two look disappointing for future bets.
Take a look at a bet we advise today