2:40 Haydock -
New Winds, trained by Mark Johnston, ran out a decent winner on debut, a race where the form has been franked. He missed the Woodcote Stakes to go to Doncaster but trailed home last. Whether the soft ground was an issue or he went a stride too fast for conditions, only time will tell. Connections will be hoping his daughter of New Approach can get back to the winner's enclosure.
3:00 Yarmouth -
Course and distance winner Artair comes back to the Norfolk coast with a winner's penalty but high hopes of making his presence felt. He come unstuck when stepped up to Listed class when competing in the National Stakes. Spencer led that day, and it was a stiff task against a decent field. This drop in class will help connections see where this colt is at.
6:30 Hamilton -
A restricted auction stakes. Diviner won second start and has to defy a penalty.
Five two-year-old races for Saturday:
2:15 Musselburgh -
Class 2 contest noted for reference.
1:55 Doncaster - 6 1/2f (Good to firm)
New Winds ran well to win on debut. He was given an entry for the Woodcote Stakes but takes his chance here for Mark Johnston. This chestnut filly - a daughter of New Approach - has to defy a winner's penalty.
Richard Hannon has the expensive breeze up but Fox Champion making his debut. This son of Kodiac cost 420,000G. In the familiar silks of King Power Racing Co Ltd.
2:30 Doncaster - 6 1/2f (Good to firm)
Artistic Rifles was meant to run the other week but withdrawn before going into the stalls. Charlie Hills isn't a trainer to give his juveniles entries for no reason. I think there was a bit of money for this colt when a non runner.
Interesting to see what Langholm can do after a two month lay-off. Readers may remember he was made favourite for the Brocklesby Stakes. He was struggling in the early stages and finished last. There must have been an issue. The absence gives evidence to that point. Interesting to note that this son of Dark Angel steps up in distance.
7:00 Chepstow - 5f (Soft)
Just four runners but three entrants: Big Boots, Temple Of Wonder & Tizwotitiz.
7:10 Lingfied - (Good to soft)
Thegreyvtrain races yesterday at Bath so she is unlikely to take part.
A long day, so I will quickly detail the significant entries for these races:
2:10 Thirsk -
Interesting to note just one horse entered here being Brian Ellison's Antico Lady. Priced 33/1, the bookies must think this is a tough debut. Ellison is a difficult trainer to assess with debutantes although they can win at big prices. He had Pearl Of Qatar do just that at Beverley at 25/1. Antico Lady is a daughter of Dandy Man and cost 45,000G at the yearling sales. Not sure what to think of the apprentice jockey being on board. It suggests, in ways, they think this filly will need to run. I'm simply detailing her here because she was given a significant entry. Queen Of Burmuda looks a tough nut to crack. Interesting to see what happens. At least with nine runners there are three places for those who want to dabble at speculative each-way odds. You will be hitting and hoping. A big price is the only factor which may entice.
2:45 Thirsk -
Interesting to note that, again, we have two significantly entered juveniles here at big prices. Lady Kinsale was entered for the Lily Agnes but took a different race at Chester. She led for much of the way before tiring into eighth. She has pace to burn and may appreciate this straight course and may well be fitter for that experience. Eric Alston doesn't have many two-year-olds in his string and most are limited. Not impossible but unlikely at 20/1. Oxygenic is the same price for David O'Meara. This daughter of Showcasing was relatively fancied on debut when showing little. She was a big price at Musselburgh in what was a fair race. Interesting that she was entered to run in the two-year-old Listed race at York but didn't take that opportunity. That may be a sign that better is expected.
3:50 Newmarket -
A tough looking race with a few horses with mighty price tags. Just the sole entry at present - although some of these will be going places. New Winds has received an entry from Mark Johnston.
6:20 Doncaster -
Just a quick mention as running out of energy. Arcadian Rocks has been given a significant entry by Mick Channon. Victory Command has been given a couple of entries by Mark Johnston.