Another busy day and not feeling 100% so will try to keep this short and sweet. As always, we will be detailing the significantly entered two-year-olds.
The Investec EBF Woodcote Stakes (2:00 Epsom) is the highlight of the racing but as all of these horses are significantly entered we will not look too closely here. The understanding being that we are looking for horses in less competitive races.
6:20 Bath -
Anthem Of Peace hasn't achieved much in two starts. Meehan thought enough of this colt to enter him for the Lily Agnes Stakes. He was exceptionally keen on debut at Windsor when cruising to the front and tiring quickly. Things didn't go right at Chester. Priced at 25/1, it isn't beyond the realms this horse has ability. Without question, he needs to settle. If touching huge odds on the exchanges may be worth a small win bet.
Clive Cox does well at this course and High Horse hasn't done anything wrong in both starts to date. His debut effort over course and distance was decent. He was simply beaten by a better horse on the day. Just half a length separated the first three at Salisbury when he finished third.Not much of a price - but the horse to beat.
Thegreyvtrain has plenty of pace and the best of his form is a second at Kempton. He ran in the Lily Agnes Stakes but finished last. Looks unlikely to win although may lead for a furlong or two.
7:10 Goodwood
Interesting to see Brelade's Bay making her return after a month off course. She was outpaced when making her debut at Kempton. Turning courses are never ideal for debutantes and she was quickly outpaced but plugged on in the closing stages. Micheal Bell gave her a significant entry. This daughter of Footstepsinthesand was fancied in the betting and looks to be held in some hope here today. This extra furlong will be a positive and I would expect a bolder show from a good draw. The betting is key. if priced 13/2 & less SP would bring greater confidence. If weak, I would take a watching brief.
Popping Cork has been given a significant entry. This drop down to auction class will be a touch easier.
2:10 Salisbury -
Novice Stakes over 5f on good to firm going.
Four juveniles with racecourse experience and four debutantes.
Two-year-olds with significant entries. High Horse was expected to win on debut but found a decent opponent in Big Boots who was somewhat disappointing next start under a penalty. The other entrant is Well Done Fox. A very expensive yearling at 255,000G. This son of Acclamation was a beaten favourite that day, tiring in the closing furlong. Perhaps he was slightly in need of the run. Both horses should show their worth today.
5:05 York -
An EBF Maiden Stakes. A Class 2 race so all significant entrants on good to firm going. Ten two-year-olds take part - just one with racecourse experience. A couple with multiple entries will be detailed, below.
I Am A Dreamer was entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take that contest but well beaten as even money favourite at Musselburgh and then at Newmarket. Looks to need improvement. Probably more interesting is Charlie Appleby's True Belief. This bay colt is a son of Excelebration out of a once-raced mare. He cost £95,000.
5:45 Newmarket -
Novice Auction Stakes over 6f on good going. Fourteen two-year-olds take part. Just two horses have racecourse experience. Those of most significance include Axel Jacklin trained by Mark Johnston. This bay colt wasn't that fancied on debut, giving the impression this extra furlong would help. Usain Boat ran well on debut at Yarmouth behind easy victor Artair, who looks to be a fair type for Michael bell. George Scott's son of Casamento wasn't best away and just pushed out to take second place. He is another horse who will benefit from this extra yardage and up hill finish.
Four two-year-old races for Wednesday.
2:00 Ascot -
Interesting Class 2 race over 5f on good to soft going.
Just four runners. All are worthy of note being significantly entered. Aidan O'Brien has the short priced favourite. I quite liked the look of Robert Cowell's Vikivaki on debut. She was slow away from the stalls but ran on with purpose. The form of that race has taken a few knocks which tempers enthusiasm. A couple of fillies against the colts. I would have to take a watching brief but interested to see how this daughter of Congrats goes on her second start.
Full result
2:10 Pontefract -
An EBF Novices Stakes over 5f 3y on soft going.
Quite a large field with nine juveniles. The only significant entry is for the twice-raced Geography Teacher, trained by Roger Fell. He has been backed on both his starts to date, including the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. In truth, this son of Bungle Inthejungle hasn't achieved much at all. Perhaps he hasn't show his ability. I will take a watching brief.
Full result
5:00 Brighton -
An EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes race over 5f 60y on good to soft going.
No significant entered juveniles here. Tin Hat ran very well on debut and the form of that race has been franked.
Full result
5:45 Bath -
A Maiden Stakes over 5f 10y on good to soft going.
A field of twelve two-year-olds take part, six with racecourse experience.
High Horse is interesting for Clive Cox. He has an exceptional strike rate at this course and this grey colt, a son of Dark Angel, was retained for 100,000G. Definitely looks a major player.
Full result