I must apologise for being quiet. I'm still working on the horse trainer statistics which are taking longer than expected. It is literally like painting the Forth bridge, with a dicky brush. The data is very interesting but it really is boring to complete. However, it is a job which needs doing and I will be doing my utmost to get the majority of it signed off this week. It has spurred me on because there are few two-year-old races these next four or five days.
I'm sure you have noticed a couple of two-year-old races for Monday.
2:00 Redcar -
I'm not going to write a great deal about either of these races as I much prefer to watch the early races. Archie Watson has got off to a decent start with a couple of winners and Exclusively is well owned. The betting details a big run is expected.
2:50 Windsor -
Brocklesby fourth place Dorchester Dom ran well enough on debut. The third horse that day, also trained by David Evans, won well at Leicester. I'm not keen on betting short prices at the best of times. This son of Starspangledbanner has valuable experience which counts for a lot against debutants. There's always the worry something will pop up and make the jolly backers not so happy. Interesting to see how Richard Hannon's Lexington Quest goes. This son of Ivawood cost £32,000 at the yearling sales when purchased to by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock (who buy a lot for Hannon). Now in the ownership of Middleham Park Racing. Worth noting this April foal (24th April, so not quite two) was given a Brocklesby Stakes entry. The sole entrant for Hannon. I think we have to go back to 2016 for the last time Hannon had a horse entered or run in the Brocklesby. In that year he had Tomily and Bismark The Flyer. Tomily won a couple of times at two and turned out to be a very talented gelding. Bismarck The Flyer won a couple of times at two, the first victory at selling class. Lexington Quest isn't without a chance here and I would take the Brocklesby entry as a positive.
Just a couple of races at York. I'm actually looking at the races as I write this, using Group Horse 2018.
I say this to show the working practice. It isn't difficult to do this work yourself. I say this not so much to save myself time but for readers to learn and familiarise themselves with the horses.
I know most people don't do this but I can tell you now, you will appreciate a lot more if you do.
3:25 York -
7f Judith Marshall Memorial British EBF Stallions Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Sire/Dam-Restricted) (Class 3) (2yo)
Going: Good to soft
Runners: 10
Significantly entered horses: Ventura Ocean
Analysis: Just the one entrant noted by the trainer. Richard Fahey's Ventura Ocean is a son of Raven's Pass out of an unraced mare. In the familiar silks of Middleham Park Racing. This February foal is a talented juvenile who hasn't done much wrong in four starts. He finished runner-up on his first two starts, then won at Pontefract when stepping up to 7f. More recently, contesting the Tattersall Acomb Stakes (Group 3). He wasn't disgraced in seventh place. A leading chance here. These win penalties make life difficult for even talented juveniles. I must admit, I find them a thorn in the side. The horse to beat but not my idea of a bet simply because I think these penalties are more difficult to defy than realised.
4:30 York -
5½f (5f89y) Sha. Intelligent Ideas That Get Results British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 3) (2yo)
Going: Good to soft
Runners: 10
Significantly entered horses: *Little Legs, Broken Spear, Fastman, Three Card Trick & Baldwin.
Analysis: Being a Class 3 race with respectable prize money a good few of these have significant entries.
I'd take a watching brief.
* NR