Very busy. I will be travelling again this weekend back to West Palm Beach, Florida. I've got up extra early to detail today's info.
1:30 Haydock -
Sparkle Roll cost 750,000 euros. Expectations were high on debut but John Gosden's daughter of Kingman disappointed. The 2/1f looked very inexperienced, starting slowly and flashing her tail, ultimately finishing fifth, beaten six lengths. Bookmakers haven't given up on this horse and punters will be hoping to see more today.
Mick Channon has a decent string of juveniles and Air Force Amy was set a real challenge on debut when running a gallant third behind a couple of talents. She was beaten many lengths at Beverley next start when Mot Juste cruised home. Air Force Amy wasn't suited by a wide draw and done well to beat the rest by four lengths.
Other horses of note, Maamora has been given a Class 2 entry. This daughter of Dubawi finished behind Sparkle Roll on debut when backed from 13/2 - 7/2. Simon Crisford knows his stuff and I it's possible this filly disappointed that day and will run much better at respectable odds.
Sparkle Roll 15/2 1st
Air Force Amy 8/1 3rd
Maamora 22/1 8th
Conclusion: Sparkle Roll is likely to show more today, especially if strong in the betting. Maamora may have disappointed on debut and could be big odds. Difficult to assess in ways but interesting. Air Force Amy ran well on debut and may have been made to look worse than she is at Beverley. All three have claims.
1:55 Ripon -
Three entrants here. Luxor and Fastman have proven their worth winning. They have to defy win penalties. As we have seen this season, it isn't easy to win with such a burden although true talents do.
Just Be Friendly is interesting. On form she looks pretty moderate but that has been due to temperament. On both starts, this daughter of Toronado has pulled much too hard and ruined any hope of winning. No doubt this is the reason Bell has dropped back to 6f. That may well help although you get the feeling she needs seven furlongs but has failed to settle. Just Be Friendly may have each-way claims although temperamental horses can prove to be difficult to win.
Fastman 11/8f 1st
Just Be Friendly 9/2 2nd
Luxor 2/1 3rd
2:00 Chester -
Jensue has been noted by Tom Dascombe.
2:40 Haydock -
Horses of note: Drogon & Oak Park.
Oak Park looked inexperienced on debut but was getting his act together at the death. Show improve for that first start and holds respectable each-way claims.
Oak Park 15/2 6th
Drogon 5/1 9th
4:15 Newmarket -
This looks a pretty hot contest.
Imperial Charm is held in some regard by Simon Crisford. While Sunday Star disappointed on debut and then well backed at Goodwood when going close. To be honest, I wasn't happy with the ride given that day as the horse really should have won.
*Truly Adored has been noted by Richard Hannon but will need to be pretty smart and primed to win on debut.
Sunday Star 7/2 1st
Imperial Charm 6/4f 3rd
* NR
4:50 Newmarket -
Ralph Beckett has a fair string of juveniles this season. Desirous disappointed on debut but ran well next start behind Dandhu, who is a lovely, strong filly who has run well in Group class.
Desirous 4/1 2nd
Each way treble -
1:55 Ripon - Just Be Friendly (7/1)
2:40 Haydock - Oak Park (5/1)
4:15 Newmarket - Sunday Star (7/2)
A quick review of Wednesday's races.
6:00 Ffos Las -
7½f (7f80y) Weatherbys Racing Bank Maiden Stakes (Class 5) (2yo)
William Muir doesn't have the biggest string of juveniles but a capable trainer. In general, his two-year-olds are better on their second start but he can win on their racecourse bow if talented. Natty Night (20/1) was purchased at the yearling sales for 40,000 guineas by the trainer. This bay colt - a son of Nathaniel - is of interest but slightly difficult to assess. A recent Class 2 entry gives some hope.
Another interesting horse is John Gallagher's Blue Battalion (25/1). This British-bred son of Cityscape is a relatively cheap yearling purchase at £18,000. The mare won three times and a fair horse although nothing outstanding. What's interesting for this colt, is knowledge of a recent Convivial Maiden Stakes entry. That is a sign of confidence. Another horse priced at 25/1 that may well show something on debut. If available at huge prices on the exchanges may be worth a bet. A few of Gallagher's debutantes have run well on debut and been backed. I remember Quench Dolly a few years back. Interesting.
6:20 Wolverhampton -
6f (6f20y) HellermannTyton Fixings Maiden Stakes (Class 5) (2yo)
A very interesting race with a number of fair juveniles. I can imagine a few of these trainers considered this to be a lesser race to target. Looks like they all had the same idea.
William Haggas has Luxor (9/2) racing here who proved a disappointing favourite when struggling on debut at Windsor. This son of Oasis Dream didn't show much at all that day. It could well be the case he simply didn't show and there is much better to come. This horse is in the ownership of Highclere Thoroughbreds and cost £190,000 at the yearling sales. He held a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) entry which adds some confidence although needs to improve for that first start. If priced 13/2 & less SP, holds fair each-way claims.
Karl Burke is a fantastic trainer. I often say to people, if you cannot make money from their two-year-olds there is something gone wrong. Sosume (5/1) hasn't been seen for over 40 days and the hood is applied for the first time. Racing in the familiar silks of Mrs Maureen Gittins, he cost 105,000 at the breeze-up sales. Sosume ran well at Thirsk, but I was left with the feeling the jockey went a stride too fast. This step up in distance shouldn't be a problem although a wide draw isn't ideal. He has plenty enough pace so may get to the rail but that exuberance could be a slight problem.
A race full of interest. East Coast Swing (40/1) has a number of significant entries and backed a touch on debut. This grey daughter of Exchange Rate cost 400,000 at the breeze-up sales for owners G Bolton and B Jenkins. George Scott is a difficult trainer to assess and someone whose debutantes often disappoint. On entries, ownership and price tag, this filly looks very likely to have the ability - perhaps a high level. A wide draw is a concern. You really don't want to try to get to the lead and be pushed wide. That would make life hard. However, this juvenile is very interesting and if going to show ability it should be today.
Conclusion: A fascinating race. This looks a strong contest with a few form horses which statistically have some hope. In addition, Luxor, Sosume and East Coast Swing are very interesting. I must admit, East Coast Swing could, potentially, be a high-class horse. The debut effort was difficult to assess. She may not have shown anything but today could shine. The draw is a concern. She could still have enough ability to hit the frame but it is a difficult one. Luxor needs to improve and can. From a statistical point holds fair each-way claims. While Sosume ran ok the last start but in many ways disappointed. All three noted could hit the frame but trying to pick between the lines could be a puzzle.
6:50 Wolverhampton -
7f (7f36y) HellermannTyton Insulation Maiden Auction Fillies' Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 5) (2yo)
Comete (14/1) has been relatively fancied on both start but disappointed. Definitely not one of the better juveniles in the stable but this is a restricted race type. This filly is stepping up in distance and well drawn.
Tom Clover gave Rajy (66/1) a Class 2 entry very early season but shown little to date. Certainly needs to improve but big question marks, too.
I've detailed a very speculative multibet which pays over 3000/1.
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.