Just the one two-year-old horse race today.
I'm not disappointed as it seems a long week and still lots of races to review and get my brain in order for Monday's race action that's spread across three meetings: Ayr, Windsor & Ffos Las. I upload the Week's Races for those who wish to save themselves time. I simply detail the two-year-old races because I have no interest in the other age groups. There are four juvenile races detailed for Monday.
2:00 Ayr
5:35 Windsor
5:45 Ffos Las
6:05 Windsor
Something to consider.
Sunday saw just the one two-year-old race at Pontefract. I don't mind this course as a place to bet.
A course where it pays to have a little bit of experience and lead. A lot of debutantes struggle on turning courses, especially those on the all-weather which often turn from the start. Anyway, the betting suggested this was a two-horse race.
Pop Dancer had run well on debut, dropping back in trip, and was fancied in the betting.
The horse of most interest from Group Horse Daily was Queen's Order who had been given a couple of significant entries. This daughter of Delegator had been given a Lowther Stakes (Group 2) and Class 2 Stakes. Racing in the familiar silks of Clipper Logistics Ltd. A bargain buy at 8,500 guineas as a foal, then 50,000 euros as a yearling.
Queen's Order ran a great race on debut when runner-up to Pop Dancer who returned a 6/5f. Ryan's charge travelled well, touched odds on in-running, but couldn't quite master the experienced Pop Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey.
The duo pulled seven-lengths clear of the third.
See the full result here.
2:20 Pontefract -
The Brocklesby Stakes is the only significant entry we have to work with at this moment. However, the race has resulted in a couple of fair types. Certainly, the winner Show Me Show Me, in the familiar silks of Ontoawinner, looks a decent prospect and David Evans Zulu Zander ran out an easy winner at Leicester. In fact, the Brocklesby Stakes sixth, seventh & eighth has all run respectably on their second and third starts. That brings us to Bendy Spirit who finished ninth on debut at Doncaster. Similarly trained as Show Me Show Me by Richard Fahey, this son of Helmet showed bright speed but tired markedly in the closing stages to finish thirteen lengths behind the winner. As far as form goes, it didn't look the most illuminating result. On the upside, Bendy Spirit was priced at odds of 14/1, which may suggest he was in need in the race. The style of the run gave that impression too. Being on the sidelines for just over two weeks should be ample time to have this colt primed for the day and that valuable experience will be to his advantage.
Richard Fahey's Brocklesby entrants/runners from previous years have been up to winning standard, which gives Bendy Spirit some hope. Also, Pontefract is a course the trainer has done well with his juveniles, especially on their second start.
I suspect Bendy Spirit will run a better race today although there is plenty of competition from the two favourites with Mark Johnston's Alminoor looking a talent when narrowly foiled on debut at Musselburgh, while Danny Ocean, trained by Karl Burke in the Onetoawinner silks, is sure to improve a good deal on his first start at Leicester where he looked ring rusty but ran on with verve.
All three horses are worthy of respect. Shame this race isn't for three places because it would bring a few options. Personally, I will be taking a watching brief unless Danny Ocean or Bendy Spirit drift to much bigger odds.
Just the one two-year-old race for Sunday.
2:00 Pontefract -
World Order has made hard work of winning, although achieved an official rating of 80. Trained by Declan Carroll, this son of Society Rock has raced five times. His first two starts saw narrow defeats to talented juveniles in No Lippy & Charming Kid, when beaten less than one length.
This April foal started at odds of 50/1 when competing in the Windsor Castle Listed race at Royal Ascot. Beaten just under ten lengths in fifteenth place. That pattern race being the only significant entry he has held, which may indicate a horse on the downgrade. Owners, Clipper Logistics, have a wealth of talented juveniles including Soldier's Call (pictured) who is trained by Archie Watson, the winner of this year's Windsor Castle. He ran creditably at Goodwood when third in the Markel Insurance Molecomb Stakes (Group 3).
World Order isn't in that league, although, at best, a talented juvenile who should have won by now.
He was far from disgraced when fourth at York over five and a half furlongs behind Chynna, tiring in the closing stages when 2/1 favourite.
The first attempt at nursery class didn't go too well when beaten into fourth place of six over the minimum trip at Thirsk. It was a mucky day, raining, and the going was on the soft side, although the time wasn't too slow. Broken Spear won the race in imperious style, while the others fought out their own places.
It's interesting to consider the chances of World Order on this sixth start. At best, he has enough ability to win a race of this class. However, you may be a brave soul to jump in and take a fraction above levels you devils (even money).
Carroll has reached for the blinkers. Not the best sign in some ways. After a number of hard races, you have to wonder if this colt is starting to regress. At short betting odds, it isn't, perhaps, the time to take a gamble.
I would have to take a watching brief.
Been a very busy week. Updating lots of websites, many new. A few interesting races on Saturday. Not so much this Sunday. To be honest, I would rather this be a day of rest because even a couple of races seems to clutter the day.
2:00 Pontefract -
Fair money for this 5f 3y EBF Novice Stakes on good to firm going. Just four horses and very much a two-horse race. Both have received significant entries. Richard Fahey's Flawless Jewel is a bay daughter of Kheleyf racing in the familiar colours of The Cool Silk Partnership. She was fancied to go well on debut at York. A battling performance saw her beaten by a neck. A recent entry for the Lowther Stakes (Group 2) adds to confidence. Priced 1/3f, punters will be disappointed if she is beaten.
The major opponent is Murqaab. David O'Meara's charge has raced five times and, for the most part, proven to be a consistent juvenile. This son of Showcasing disappointed in the Windsor Castle Listed race at Royal Ascot but that was no surprise at odds of 66/1. He may have gone a stride to fast last time out at Ripon, although there wasn't anything wrong with the performance in third. The cheek pieces have been applied for the first time. Interesting to see what tactics are employed. I can imagine he will be sent to the front.
Interesting to see how this goes. There may be an option of backing both and laying Murqaab in running if shooting clear.
2:20 Wolverhampton -
Eight two-year-olds take part in this Novice Stakes over 7f 36 y on standard to slow going. Sylvester Kirk does well on the all-weather.
Hackle Setter was noted on debut because the trainer had detailed this son of Noble Mission as having some ability. He wasn't fancied on debut but not disgraced, running on in the closing stages to finish midfield. This step up in distance will help and improvement is likely to be seen.
James Tate gave Zmhar an entry early season. This son of Shamardal hasn't been fancied in the betting on both starts but showed ability second start at Chelmsford.
Five two-year-old races for Friday. I will detail the significant entrants and form horses worthy of note.
2:00 Goodwood -
Just a couple of entrants. Big Boots is a son of Society Rock and tidy winner on debut at Bath. He was slightly disappointing at Windsor racing under a penalty when favourite. It will be interesting to see if he can show more without an apprentice. A high draw is an advantage.
Robert Cowell has been kept busy this early season with an increased string of two-year-olds. Blame Roberta has received a couple of significant entries. This daughter of Blame races in the ownership of Khalifa Dasmal. She looks a good yearling purchase at just $27,000. She ran a respectable fourth place on debut at Yarmouth. The form has been franked with the first three horses either winning or narrowly denied. This bay filly wasn't too far behind or given a hard race. Looks capable of better.
This looks a difficult race to assess so I would advice a watching brief.
2:20 Haydock -
Mark Johnston has been in fine form this season. Axel Jacklin looked disappointing on debut but fared much better at Newmarket when stepping up to 6f. This leggy son of Iffraaj battled hard when runner up to Usain Boat. Should go well.
Five Amarones is one of a number of horses Tom Dascombe has entered this season. This son of Alhebayheb was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but didn't take part. He was fancied on debut at Pontefract but slowly into stride even though he had a prime draw. In truth, he ran on pretty well to chase home Carey Street. Five Amarones ran a similar race at Bath over the minimum trip. Always slightly outpaced, he didn't have the pace to get to grips with Barbill or Ginger Nut. That third place did suggest some limitation. The major hope here is stepping up to 6f.
Arthur Kit hasn't received any entries for Tom Dascombe, but this debutante is well bred, the mare being Ceiling Kitty who won the Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 (2012). The betting details that this colt is first string. The stable do well at this racecourse.
2:45 Bath -
No significant entrants although New Queen and Country Rose may well be in the very near future.
3:55 Bath -
An interesting Class 3 EBF Novices' Stakes over 5f 160y on firm going.
Hua Hin is well regarded by the Hannon stable. This son of Dandy Man ran well to win on debut, although tiring in the closing stages. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes but didn't take that route. This February foal has to shoulder a 6lb win penalty and reason why Gary Mahon takes off a valuable 5lb. I would expect Hua Hin to improve for that first start after a month off course.
Charles Hills has a few decent types this season. Ynys Mon ran in a Class 2 race on debut when stuck in the mud. This son of Olympic Glory is a good-looking colt but has temperamental issue. He has been too keen on both his last starts which may have become a habit. That is a problem. He may enjoy this firm ground and this small field shouldn't bring about traffic problems which didn't help at Chester. However, I would be worried if he is keen over this extended five furlongs especially at even money. If going a stride too fast it makes winning difficult.
7:30 Pontefract -
The best race on the day this Class 2 with win prize money of over £15,000. Just the five runners. Looks a trappy heat. Will be taking a watching brief.
Four two-year-old races for Wednesday.
2:00 Ascot -
Interesting Class 2 race over 5f on good to soft going.
Just four runners. All are worthy of note being significantly entered. Aidan O'Brien has the short priced favourite. I quite liked the look of Robert Cowell's Vikivaki on debut. She was slow away from the stalls but ran on with purpose. The form of that race has taken a few knocks which tempers enthusiasm. A couple of fillies against the colts. I would have to take a watching brief but interested to see how this daughter of Congrats goes on her second start.
Full result
2:10 Pontefract -
An EBF Novices Stakes over 5f 3y on soft going.
Quite a large field with nine juveniles. The only significant entry is for the twice-raced Geography Teacher, trained by Roger Fell. He has been backed on both his starts to date, including the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. In truth, this son of Bungle Inthejungle hasn't achieved much at all. Perhaps he hasn't show his ability. I will take a watching brief.
Full result
5:00 Brighton -
An EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes race over 5f 60y on good to soft going.
No significant entered juveniles here. Tin Hat ran very well on debut and the form of that race has been franked.
Full result
5:45 Bath -
A Maiden Stakes over 5f 10y on good to soft going.
A field of twelve two-year-olds take part, six with racecourse experience.
High Horse is interesting for Clive Cox. He has an exceptional strike rate at this course and this grey colt, a son of Dark Angel, was retained for 100,000G. Definitely looks a major player.
Full result
2:10 Pontefract - 5f 3y on good to soft going.
A sizable field with eleven two-year-olds: two with racecourse experience. Both given significant entries with Carey Street running in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes, while Bengali Spirit was earmarked for that race but started his campaign at Musselburgh.
Carey Street is trained by John Quinn who does well with his juveniles often going well at this Yorkshire course. This British-bred gelding is a son of Bungle Inthejungle cost 13,000 euros at the yearling sales. He wasn't overly fancied on debut at Doncaster, finishing fifth of thirteen. The form of the Brocklesby has been franked a few times which gives greater hope. I can imagine Carey Street making the most of that experience, fitter and wiser for that debut. This stiffer course may be of help too. At first thoughts, the tissue price of 7/2 doesn't look to offer too much value although with so many debutantes it may depend on who is in the field.
The other horse, Begali Spirit, one of three entrants for Richard Fahey, while just Wasntexpectingthat ran in the Brocklesby who finished a creditable third then beaten runner-up at Thirsk on Saturday to a sparkling winner called Vintage Krug. Bengali Spirit is a British-bred son of Garswood who cost just 10,000G at the yearling sales. He started his campaign at Musselburgh in a three-horse race. It is difficult to assess that contest although the winner won well and must have a level of ability, while Mark Johnston's I Am A Dreamer - who was the only horse for the trainer to receive a Brocklesby entry - started 1/1f. He finished third just under a length behind Begali Spirit. I Am A Dreamer ran creditable when beaten into fourth place at Newmarket. It was a fair effort but shows a little bit of limitation although gives some merit to Bengali Spirit here.
Conclusion: These two horses are drawn close to each other and may play follow my leader. Carey Street didn't show the best form on debut but open to improvement while Bengali Spirit ran well enough and should progress too. I would have to take a watching brief.