Not a great deal of time.
Ideally, this should have been written last night. However, I was busy writing this post for Frankel Blog which details Frankel offspring (2yos) who are making waves for this 2019 season. Well, they might be, if they have ample ability.
If you fancy an informed read, let your mince pies travel over this: Herman Hesse to Write Poetic Prose for Gosden at Yarmouth
Anyway, enough about Lady Bamford's exciting two-year-old prospect and back to proceedings.
So which two-year-olds have been noted today?
We have three two-year-old races to take a quick look.
2:20 Redcar -
Andrian Nicholls has Amnaa running here. This bay filly, sired by Bungle Inthejungle, has run two times and show a glimmer of ability. Amnaa was given a Listed race entry (think it was for York's Langley Solicitors Marygate Fillies' Stakes). It will be interesting to see if this step up to 6f helps or hinders.
By all accounts, this looks a trappy affair, with a couple of winners in the line-up and both have apprentices onboard to negate the burden.
Interesting to note one horse which doesn't have a significant entry at this time but worthy of interest.
Quiet Word was all the rage on debut at Nottingham. This daughter of Dandy Man was backed to 5/6f but disappointed. She was keen and the ground was soft, which gives two reasons why Archie Watson's filly may have floundered. Syndicate Ontoawinner, know the time of day and I would be surprised if she doesn't have ability. After this disappointment, there are a number of unanswered questions which will be answered by the end of the race (hopefully).
2:40 Leicester -
Interesting to note that Jane Chapple-Hyam has an entered two-year-old racing at Leicester today in the shape of Lincoln Blue. This bay colt is a son of Bated Breath out of an unraced mare. This 46,000 guinea yearling purchase races in the ownership of Gordon Li. Chapple-Hyam doesn't have the largest string of juveniles. However, she is a very capable trainer. She has sent out a few debut-winning two-year-olds, often going in at big odds. In recent years, she has had four debutantes win and all of them were in May or June. The fact she gave this horse a Class 2 Stakes entry may well be significant. There has been a little bit of money for this April foal which adds to the discussion.
4:40 Leicester -
A large field of two-year-olds racing over 6f.
Tom Dascombe has a few fair talents in his stable (2yos). Javea Magic is an Irish-bred son of Society Rock out of a pretty limited mare, who didn't win in her eleven starts. Dascombe gave this 52,000 euro yearling purchase a Class 2 entry although a big drifter in the betting at the time of writing. Priced 25/1, this colt isn't given much hope by bookmakers. All I can say is that Dascombe is one of few trainers who can win with a big-priced two-year-old debutante.
Time will tell.
Very little time, so a quick look at today's significant entries.
2:20 Leicester -
A few horses have received significant entries for this 0 - 80 rated nursery. Quiet Waters, Sabai Sabai, Jensue & Happy Odyssey.
6:00 Windsor -
An EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 race) over 6f (12y) on good to firm going.
William Haggas has an interesting two-year-old making his debut. Luxor is a son of Oasis Dream and £190,000 yearling purchase. The mare raced four times and won on her second start. Luxor races in the familiar silks of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. This colt holds a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) entry. Just one of two horses selected by the trainer. Haggas can win with two-year-old debutantes although you are always fearful inexperience will be costly. An intriguing colt that's worthy of closer inspection.
4:20 Leicester -
A 7f 0 -70 rated nursery.
Five Helmets, Chonburi. Disruptor is interesting and could well hit the frame.
2:00 Leicester -
An EBF Novice Stakes over 7f on good to firm going.
Fume, a son of Frankel, was fancied on debut but showed little. Second start wasn't much better. Ralph Beckett is trying the tongue tie to garner improvement. Priced 16/1, it seems unlikely this colt will be heading toward the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2). The only two-year-old in the stable to receive such an entry. Has a lot to prove and would have needed to have disappointed on both starts. Stepping up to 7f may help.
Clive Cox has a few decent juveniles in his string. This may indicate that Red Armada has a fighting chance. This son of Invincible Spirit cost 120,000 euros at the yearling sales. Cox does well at Leicester. This April foal has received a Mill Reef (Group 2), which gives confidence. The stable debutantes go well at 13/2 & less SP. If strongly backed it would increase chances.
Conclusion: Red Armada is interesting and worthy of respect.
2:10 Chester -
A quick look at these. Marie's Diamond won on debut and competed in the Woodcote Stakes. He led the field for most but paid the price in the final furlong when the wheels fell off. Mark Johnston has given this colt an entry for the Gain Railway Stakes (Group 2), Ireland. Connection will be needing a win here to entertain those lofty thoughts. A win penalty and wide draw will be such a test.
Dark Thunder wasn't disgraced in the Lily Agnes Stakes and that experience round this turning course is valuable.
Tom Dascombe fields stablemate Five Helmets who was entered for the Lily Agnes Stakes but didn't take the engagement. He's an attractive horse but needs to progress.
In addition, Gabriel The Wire has been given a Class 2 entry.
3:30 Bath -
Happy Harmony ran much too fast at Musselburgh and tired in the closing stages. o be fair, Richard Hannon's filly hung on well as it was a good race. If settling better could go well here.
Hannon is represented by Mersey who has run well enough on both starts.
The Greyvtrain has also received entries. Although a speedy sort is exposed and needs a drop in grade or try on the all-weather.
4:40 York -
Decent prize money and few horses with some hope of progressing. Jfoul has run well on debut over course. Looked a fair race and should improve for that first start.
Kevin Ryan does well at this course and Rathbone did little wrong on debut over course and distance. One of three horses entered for the Gain Railways Stakes (Group 2), Ireland. A talented two-year-old.
Pink Flamingo was all the rage on debut but couldn't defy the challenge of Cocoabala who shouldered a win penalty. Comes out pretty quick. Steps up half a furlong although time-wise there may not be too much difference.
6:10 Leicester -
Richard Hannon's Leoube was very slow away on debut at York. Had no chance thereafter. This daughter of Kodiac is a fair-looking type who showed up much better next time at Windsor when big odds. Steps up a furlong.
Not the most conclusive post but very busy and tired.
I will try to keep this short and sweet.
Three two-year-old races. I will detail those with significant entries and give a brief thought or two.
1:45 Ripon -
5f Novice Auction Stakes on good to soft going. Nine two-year-olds take part. A mix of trainers.
The two form horses both have significant entries: Kinks, who won last time out after showing up well on debut at Kempton. Mick Channon has better juveniles than the previous few years. This son of Sixties Icon is a professional horse who is likely to lead and try and hold on.
Tony Coyle has sent out a few two-year-olds this season but the best of the lot looks to be Broken Spear who proved something of a surprise when contesting the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. This bay gelding was a 33/1 shot but ran a sterling race and only beaten three-quarters of a length. Hasn't been seen for 30+ days, which gives the impression it was due to the gelding operation. Always a slight concern why that was needed. Perhaps he had been a touch unruly since that debut effort.
Neither horse offer great value at their prices although these race type usually go to form horses which they are the only two.
2:15 Leicester -
No significantly entered two-year-olds at the time of writing. By all accounts an interesting race. I am pretty sure Evans rates Awake In Asia. While True Mason is well owned and cost a lot at the yearling sales.
5:45 Doncaster -
5f 3y EBF Maiden Stakes on soft going
Just the one significantly entered juvenile here for Mark Johnston. No Lippy is one of two fillies in this six-strong field. This British-bred daughter of Oasis Dream is well bred and a bargain buy at 44,000 euros. Related to a Listed race winner. Interesting.