Been a couple of quiet days as I fly back from America. Still feel like my watch tells the time of West Palm Beach.
2:10 Newmarket -
Flash Sentry was entered for a Class 2 race on debut at Musselburgh but showed little. John Ryan has decided on this marked step up in distance to 7f. The betting of 66/1 says no chance.
Richard Hannon has a couple of entrants worthy of note. Neverland Rocks cost 480,000 euros and fancied on debut at Newbury over 6f 1/2. Gave the impression there would be more to come on this second start. Mordred received an entry for the Chesham Stakes Listed race at Royal Ascot. The only horse to be entered for the stable which suggests this son of Camelot, a 175,000G purchase, has ability. Interesting to consider how these two are viewed. Perhaps one needs the run or the stable are trying to blur the lines. If Mordred is backed, it could be significant.
7:15 Haydock -
Another Hannon charge who is progressive if not luckless is Glorious Dane. This Irish-bred son of Olympic Glory was a big drifter in the market on debut at Leicester. Very slow starter but showed a glimmer of ability. Next start, stepped up to 7f at Sandown, and relatively fancied in the betting. A slow start and hampered in the early stages saw this bay colt run on with real purpose. Must have got close if starting on terms.
8:00 Lingfield -
Just for good measure, another Hannon two-year-old with a significant entry. Critical Data ran with credit on debut at Leicester (the same race at Glorious Dane) and although a 33/1 chance came 4th. Made his return in a Class 2 race with decent prize money when third behind a couple of fair juveniles. A beaten favourite that day. Didn't do much wrong and stepping up to 7f should help. Looks a great purchase at just 20,000G.
1:20 Newbury -
Couple here given significant entries of late. Richard Hannon's Neverland Rock, a son of No Say Never, cost 480,000 euros as a yearling. In addition, Clive Cox fields Wise Counsel in the ownership of Clipper Logistics Ltd. This son of Invincible Spirit was sent through the sales but withdrawn. A big field of 16 to-year-olds should indicate the winner has a level of ability. Certainly, this pair have some interest.
1:40 Nottingham -
James Tate hasn't hit the ground running with his two-year-olds this season bar one impressive winner at Catterick. However, Autum Splendour has been noted by this Newmarket handler. This son of Dandy Man wasn't a crazy-expensive yearling purchase at £52,000. Saeed Manana often buys well so this horse could be worthy of interest. The betting suggests he is one of the favourites for this race.
Interesting that Tate has given Hard Taskmaster an entry but needs to improve a good deal on what we have seen so far.
Finoah was narrowly foiled last time out at Wolverhampton behind Sporting Chance who is seemingly held in some regard.
Langholm was all the rage on debut in the Brocklesby Stakes but failed to shine that day or more recently at Doncaster when stepping up to 6 1/2f. This drop back in distance may help but connections may be better served heading for Nursery races after this third start.
7:25 Haydock
Certain Lad is well regarded and won nicely on debut. He is earmarked for the Gain Railway Stakes (Group 2) in Ireland. A win penalty will be a fair test of this is Irish-bred son of Colodvil.
Tom Dascombe always buy a good-looking horse and it is interesting to see that Swift Justice has been given a couple of significant entries. He is a 50/1 shot and Kingscote is, presumably, riding the first string.