Another busy day and not feeling 100% so will try to keep this short and sweet. As always, we will be detailing the significantly entered two-year-olds.
The Investec EBF Woodcote Stakes (2:00 Epsom) is the highlight of the racing but as all of these horses are significantly entered we will not look too closely here. The understanding being that we are looking for horses in less competitive races.
6:20 Bath -
Anthem Of Peace hasn't achieved much in two starts. Meehan thought enough of this colt to enter him for the Lily Agnes Stakes. He was exceptionally keen on debut at Windsor when cruising to the front and tiring quickly. Things didn't go right at Chester. Priced at 25/1, it isn't beyond the realms this horse has ability. Without question, he needs to settle. If touching huge odds on the exchanges may be worth a small win bet.
Clive Cox does well at this course and High Horse hasn't done anything wrong in both starts to date. His debut effort over course and distance was decent. He was simply beaten by a better horse on the day. Just half a length separated the first three at Salisbury when he finished third.Not much of a price - but the horse to beat.
Thegreyvtrain has plenty of pace and the best of his form is a second at Kempton. He ran in the Lily Agnes Stakes but finished last. Looks unlikely to win although may lead for a furlong or two.
7:10 Goodwood
Interesting to see Brelade's Bay making her return after a month off course. She was outpaced when making her debut at Kempton. Turning courses are never ideal for debutantes and she was quickly outpaced but plugged on in the closing stages. Micheal Bell gave her a significant entry. This daughter of Footstepsinthesand was fancied in the betting and looks to be held in some hope here today. This extra furlong will be a positive and I would expect a bolder show from a good draw. The betting is key. if priced 13/2 & less SP would bring greater confidence. If weak, I would take a watching brief.
Popping Cork has been given a significant entry. This drop down to auction class will be a touch easier.
Just a couple of races.
1:50 Nottingham -
Hugo Palmer has been relatively quite this season. Barend Boy was a touch ring rusty on debut but finished with real verve. He stayed at 5f when heading to Newmarket and was far from disgraced when finishing third. The second horse that day, Fly The Nest, seemingly disappointed next start which makes the form a little more difficult to assess. However, the form of that first run looks fair and this step up in distance should bring improvement. He was entered to run in the Lily Agnes Stakes but didn't take that opportunity.
Dixieland has run two times but not shown a great deal of ability. He was hampered on debut and although not beaten far at Doncaster it was a slightly disappointing effort. This son of Red Jazz was well backed that day and, perhaps, under performed. Time will tell. Connection are stepping up to 6f for the first time. I imagine they are hoping this will help.
My Dear Friend was very keen on debut at Salisbury when starting favourite. A good-looking colt who cost a decent sum. Could well prove positive today.
Karl Burke's juveniles are either limited or been out of form. Most have looked disappointing. Swissterious is a son of Swiss Spirit and a £44,000 yearling buy. The betting suggests he either needs the run of limited. In his favour, he received a Class 2 Stakes entry, just one of two horses to be noted by the trainer.
2:10 Chepstow -
Rod Millman's Lady Wolf wasn't fancied on debut when finished seventh. The form of the race has been franked and the first four look up to winning. Stepping up to 6f is a positive. The stable do pretty well at this course so may have some chance. Popping Corks was one place ahead for Richard Hannon.
Four two-year-old races to consider. I will - for the most part - be detailing the significantly-entered juveniles.
1:55 Beverley -
Carey Street - trained by John Quinn - looked to be well beaten in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. However, he ran out a decent winner at Pontefract. A seven pound penalty will make life more difficult. Looks the type to lead and try to hold on.
2:15 Bath -
A number of significantly entered juveniles and form horses. Lady Wolf is a big price for Rod Millman. He does pretty well at this course and can win at big odds so worthy of some respect even at 33-1. Popping Corks doesn't look overly fancied in the betting but noted by the trainer. Similarly, Richard Hughes Queen Shaahd is one of a few juveniles noted by the ex jockey. The betting suggests form horses are favoured. Karalini was a short price on debut at Windsor. A good-looking filly. The prize on debut looks significant and the form of that race hasn't turned out too bad. In addition, there was a lot to like about John Quinn's Signora Cabello. She is a sturdy-looking filly with some size and strength. The first five beat the rest of the field at Beverley by a fair distance. She will improve for that debut and should hit the frame. An interesting race in ways with the two form horses and a few debutantes who may have a glimmer of ability at prices.
2:30 Beverley -
A couple of significant entries here with twice-raced Wasntexpectingthat, who hit the frame on debut when contesting the Brocklesby. Richard Fahey's charge looked to have a great opportunity on his second start at Thirsk. However, the champagne corks were popping from halfway when Vintage Krug blasted clear of the field for Tim Easterby. Wasntexpectingthat is a professional horse and the type to run his race. The form of the Brocklesby has been franked so this looks within his compass if not being vulnerable to a smarter type. Tom Dascombe has been giving a few two-year-olds entries for the Lily Agnes Stakes which takes place this week at Chester. Five Helmets is one of five juveniles entered for the Lily Agnes. He is taking this route, which is probably a blessing. One of the more interesting horses here. Big Ace doesn't have any significant entries at present but ran well at Pontefract on debut from a wide draw and ran wide most of the way.
4:00 Bath -
Ginger Nut has been relatively fancied on both starts to date. She definitely went a stride too fast last time out at Salisbury in the testing ground. This going will be more suiting and I would expect a bold show. If drifting to each-way prices must show more today. Five Amarones has been given a couple of entries from Tom Dascombe. This bay colt was fancied on debut at Pontefract but not best away. He ran on well and will improve. Should figure. Richard Hughes has another entered juvenile making his debut. Swiss Pride is worth noting although the trainer is difficult to asses at times. Clevedon ran in the Brocklesby but achieved little.
Conclusion: Ginger Nut and Five Amerones look decent prospects and unless Swiss Pride is better than not should fight it out.