Just the one two-year-old horse race today.
I'm not disappointed as it seems a long week and still lots of races to review and get my brain in order for Monday's race action that's spread across three meetings: Ayr, Windsor & Ffos Las. I upload the Week's Races for those who wish to save themselves time. I simply detail the two-year-old races because I have no interest in the other age groups. There are four juvenile races detailed for Monday.
2:00 Ayr
5:35 Windsor
5:45 Ffos Las
6:05 Windsor
Something to consider.
Sunday saw just the one two-year-old race at Pontefract. I don't mind this course as a place to bet.
A course where it pays to have a little bit of experience and lead. A lot of debutantes struggle on turning courses, especially those on the all-weather which often turn from the start. Anyway, the betting suggested this was a two-horse race.
Pop Dancer had run well on debut, dropping back in trip, and was fancied in the betting.
The horse of most interest from Group Horse Daily was Queen's Order who had been given a couple of significant entries. This daughter of Delegator had been given a Lowther Stakes (Group 2) and Class 2 Stakes. Racing in the familiar silks of Clipper Logistics Ltd. A bargain buy at 8,500 guineas as a foal, then 50,000 euros as a yearling.
Queen's Order ran a great race on debut when runner-up to Pop Dancer who returned a 6/5f. Ryan's charge travelled well, touched odds on in-running, but couldn't quite master the experienced Pop Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey.
The duo pulled seven-lengths clear of the third.
See the full result here.
2:25 Southwell -
Kevin Ryan has three starts Baldwin running here. A fair sort and once entered for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2). Probably as good chance as seen.
Champagne Mondays hasn't achieved must in three starts. This son of Milk It Mick was entered for the Brocklesby Stakes but a limited horse with a 58 official rating. No particular hope.
3:45 Chepstow -
Production is a well-entered juvenile for Richard Hannon. A win penalty makes life more difficult but a talented individual.
Twelve two-year-olds take part in this Fillies' Novice Stakes over 6f on good going.
Just the one horse with a significant entry being Kevin Ryan's Dame Gladys. This British-bred daughter of Mukhadram adorns the familiar silks of Guy Reed Racing. She ran well on debut when finishing second at odds of 14/1. Then battled well to win by a short head at Nottingham against a fair sort. She was earmarked for the Hilary Needler Trophy but hasn't been seen since May. Ryan had her ready to run on the 9th June actually to contest the Hilary Needler but she refused to enter the stalls. May be something to consider if betting today. A small win penalty makes life a little hard but this step up in distance should be to her advantage. Interesting to see how she goes at odds of 4/1.
I've been busy these last two days hence the lack of updates. All the information is here - so you really don't need me.
1:30 Ayr -
David O'Meara has a few fair juveniles in his string and Kuwait Station made his mark when winning at odds of 16/1 on debut at Ripon. A seemingly lacklustre effort when last of twenty-three in the Coventry Stakes Group 2.
The betting suggests this is a two-horse race.
The other major contender is Axe Axelrod who Richard Fahey gave a Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 entry. This is one of seven two-year-olds so he wasn't being too stringent although from a yard with umpteen horses it is still a sign of confidence. This American-bred son of Street Sense started his career at Hamilton when drifting in the betting to 4/6f. That four-horse race may have been a tactical affair and experience ruled. Fahey's charge looked inexperience but ran on well to finish second and looks likely to improve a good deal fro that debut.
6:10 Windsor -
A big field with no less than 13 runners for this 6f on good to firm going.
A quick rundown of the sole significant entry. Happy Odyssey drifted in the betting on her second start at Newmarket. Amy Murphy's filly was a touch keen but ran out a fair winner. The stable had felt optimistic enough to give her a Listed race entry. A hood has been fitted, which is intriguing. Most probably to try to calm any exuberance.
6:30 Beverley -
Just the one significant entry. Queen Jo Jo is trainer by Kevin Ryan who has a decent string of juveniles. This daughter of Gregorian cost 68,000G when purchased at the breeze-up sales. She was well backed on debut (10/3 - 5/2) when runner up to Que Amoro who stretch out a comfortable winner. Interesting to consider this filly is the only horse in the yard to be given a Lowther Stakes Group 2 entry. A prime draw and experience are good news for favourite backers at Beverley.
2:00 Ayr -
Celebrity Dancer won well on debut for Kevin Ryan. Finished third next start at Pontefract when stepping up in class.
Tim Easterby's Amadeus Grey has been runner-up on the last two starts, both at auction class.
The third entrant is Mark Johnston's Royal Big Night, who started his career at York although well beaten.
6:10 Windsor -
A competitive 6f race on good to firm going.
Boa Nova won quite well on debut at Bath, in what turned out to be a scrappy affair. Brian Meehan's two-year-old headed to Royal Ascot and unplaced in the Coventry (Group 2) when 100/1.
Kevin Ryan's Sense Of Belonging ran well on debut at York in a classy race. This son of Dutch Art was made odds on next start at Hamilton when racing on soft going. By all accounts this was a poor run. Whether this was due to soft ground or because he took a keen hold could be reasons. Ryan has entered this chestnut colt for the Phoenix Stakes (Group 1). Connections will be expecting a big run here from a prime draw.
In addition, Swiper has received an entry and beaten favourite over course and distance.
6:30 Ripon -
One of Charles Hills significant entrants. Hawayel finished unplaced in the Albany Stakes (Group 3).
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).
I seem to be running out of time so a quick note of significant entered horses.
1:50 Leicester -
Secret Venture, trained by Kevin Ryan. This son of Kyllachy cost £85,000 when purchased at the yearling sales. The stable have done well this season with their noted juveniles.
Triple One hasn't received any entries at present. Michael Bell's charge was fancied in the betting on debut at Beverley but clueless. The betting that day may indicate ability. Priced at 10/1, I would imagine he will be backed if fancied today. The stable go well with fancied juveniles on their second start. If strong in the market could indicate a transformation.
2:00 Redcar -
Comete ran in a Class 2 race on debut at Newcastle. This daughter of Cammacho was pretty fancied in the betting considering it was a race worth almost £13,000. I can imagine connections expected a big run. Having a couple of months off course suggests there may have been a slight issue or given time to grow. The betting indicates there is better to come.
Tom Dascombe has a couple of nice prospects with Arthur Kitt and Jackstar. Jensue is, perhaps, not in their league but respected enough to contest the Lily Agnes Stakes. She was slow away at Chester, as she was a touch outpaced at Beverley on debut. However, both starts, she has finished with gusto. This extra furlong should suit and by all accounts (on race type) this is a drop in class.
2:10 Lingfield -
Gypsy Spirit won on debut at Windsor for Tom Clover. The form of that race is ok without being anything special. Interesting that the trainer had this filly earmarked for the Marygate Listed race at York but didn't take that route. I imagine connections thought this step up to 6f would have seen her struggling for pace at the Navesmire. She has to shoulder a 4lb win penalty and wide draw.
3:50 Leicester -
Glorious Dane has been noted by Richard Hannon.
6:40 Wolverhampton -
Finoah has shown ability in a couple of starts. Interesting to see Simon Crisford has Sporting Chance noted as having ability. Considering he has a couple of decent horses to judge this breeze-up purchase, money would bring further confidence.
Race horse names. How many times have you seen a name and later realised it was a place traveled, an important person in history or a moment in time?
I guess VJ Day was named with reference to Victory over Japan Day which fell on 2nd September 1945.
It's also the name of a racehorse trained by Kevin Ryan.
This American-bred bay gelding, a son of War Front, hasn't proved a winner so far in three starts. Aquis Farm Pty Ltd own this $250,000 yearling purchase. The mare, Sassy Image, won 6 from 14 starts, racing at the highest level and winning a Group 1. She concluded her racing career in the US after predominantly campaigned in France. Total prize earnings of £500,000.
VJ Day was fancied in the betting on all three starts racing in June, July & August. Strangely on the 17th of each month. This may have been to give him time and strengthen up. Placed 5th, 6th & 3rd. Not beaten a great deal and never bigger than odds of 4/1.
Group Horse identified this gelding was respected by connections but the latent talent was still raw, inexperienced and needing time. He received a couple of significant entries including the Railway Stakes (Group 2) which takes place in late June or early July. Those aspirations look foolhardy now. Often a huge price tag sits heavy on trainers, jockeys and punters.
4:55 Wolverhampton (28th February)
VJ Day makes his return to Maiden class in a six-strong field. Jamie Spencer takes the ride. This 6/4 shot looks to have one major contender in Dubai Acclaim who has battle hard three times for Richard Fahey.
So often well entered two-year-olds shines at three. They need a little bit of time to show they that initial promise remains.
Time will always tell.
Horse update:
Kevin Ryan's Commander Han made it third time lucky when winning at Chelmsford today. Readers will note from the entries page, scrolling to Kevin Ryan's Group Entries, that this son of Siyouni has always been held in high regard by connections but disappointed on both two-year-old starts.
There was little disgrace in finishing down the field in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York on debut. A hugely competitive race with prize money over £40,000.
Punters were not happy to see this chestnut colt fail miserably at Redcar when starting even money favourite and making it look hard work from the start before scorching home all too late to finish fourth.
In truth, those formative races were a learning curve and experience is the key to this horse one-year wiser.
Kevin Ryan will be pleased to see a win come his way because I suspect he was quite hopeful on this horse's racecourse bow and almost certain at Redcar.
Today's win over 7f was impressive by lengths won but the odds-on favourite was the only opposition. Whether David Simcock's horse disappointed or just beaten by a class horse is a matter of opinion.
Commander Han doesn't hold any significant three-year-old entries as yet but I'm sure this handler will be assessing his next run under a penalty which will give a truer reflection of what this colt may be able to achieve. Good to see those initial hope have materialised into one win with more to come.