Thursday's 2YO Update (4th October)

A slightly quieter day - but interesting.

4:00 Lingfield - 

7f (7f1y) Injured Jockeys Fund EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) (2yo)

Runners: 12

Going: Standard

Analysis:

For starters, we note that the favourite for this race is one of our 10 Dark Horses. Silent Hunter is trained by Saeed bin Suroor. This bay colt is a son of Dutch Art out of a debut-winning mare who achieved four wins from fourteen starts. She was trained by Dermot Weld and won twice at Group 3 class. She was priced 9/2 for the Irish 1000 Guineas but finished 7th. A highest of official rating of 109 detailed a talented horse. Silent Hunter has been entered for a couple of significant races this year. Interesting. 

Other noted horses include Voltaic who finished third in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. Running off the pace it is possible this son of Power was flattered. He wasn't overly fancied next start at Sandown when stepping up to one mile. That was a disappointing display. Perhaps, dropping back to 7f will see a little more vim.    

Voltiac 6/1 3rd
Silent Hunter 5/4 4th 

Conclusion: Doesn't look the strongest of fields and if Silent Hunter has a touch of class, connections will be hopeful. 

6:15 Chelmsford - 

7f totepool Cashback Club At totesport.com Fillies' Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 4) (2yo)

Runners: 14

Going: Standard

Analysis: 

A big field but interesting.

Jeremy Noseda hasn't had a vintage year by any stretch of the imagination. Just four horses received significant entries this year. None of any particular note. Quasar has been noted. I expected this American-bred son of Orb to show up well on debut at Yarmouth. This $250,000 breeze-up purchase ran a fair race in fifth place beaten four lengths. This bay filly is in the ownership of Marc Keller, who is a significant patron to this stable. I was left with the impression that Quasar was a touch unlucky and would benefit from this experience, especially this step up to 7f. If touching each-way prices would be a decent bet. 

Note: Quasar ran too bad to be true. Must have disappointed. 

We Like Her A Lot is the only other entry of note. Richard Hannon's filly wasn't fancied in the betting on debut and didn't show a great deal in sixth place. May improve for the experience and this step up in trip but needs to find much more today. 

Quasar 4/1 8th 
We Like Her A Lot 14/1 4th 

6:45 Chelmsford - 

1m2f Weatherbys Global Stallions App Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 4) (2yo)

Runners: 5

Going: Standard

Analysis: 

Michael Bell's Allmankind has run consistently in three starts to date. Has achieved an official rating of 87. Doesn't look to be one of the stable's better juveniles. A prohibitive price. 

Le Don De Vie has recieved a similar Class 2 entry.  

Mark Johnston has a vast string of two-year-olds and Caplin looks to be a disappointment although something of a mystery why connections entered this son of Cape Cross in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. Perhaps the owner wanted a couple of badges! Given another hard task when racing at Goodwood at Class 2. This looks an easier race but nothing shown in two starts to date to enthral. 

Natty Night is another to have received a Class 2 entry. Willaim Muir hasn't had many two-year-old runners this year but it is interesting this son of Nathaniel was given such an entry because he is the only horse for the stable this season. Showed little to nothing that day but horses can disappoint on debut. Priced 80/1 today. A tall order but a significant step up in distance may see more. It isn't impossible this horse may run better than its odds. 

Allmankind 4/9 1st
Caplin 12/1 2nd 
Le Don De Vie 11/4 3rd 
Natty Night 20/1 4th 

Sunday's 2YO Update

Another day of great information detailed on Saturday. 

A few races to review:

2:00 Goodwood - 

Richard Hannon has a vast string of two-year-olds. I get the feeling Al Wafi has been a touch disappointing. This son of Helmet was backed on debut but never figured at Lingfield. Clearly, the trip was too short. This bay colt showed improvement next time out when stepping up to 7f. Connections gave this juvenile an entry for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) but that looks a misjudgment. However, the stable is trying to find the key to improvement and this distance over one mile may bring further hope. Not without a hope. 

3:25 Yarmouth - 

Racing on the Norfolk coast. Brian Meehan hasn't really hit the high notes this season with his two-year-olds. That factor shows in the limited number which has been given significant entries. No Way Hose is just one of five horses worthy of note in the stable. He managed to win the third start after two creditable finishes at headquarters. His victory over Shorter Skirt was a fair effort. A win penalty will make life harder, especially if one of the newcomers has a level of ability. 

The first of the debutantes worthy of note is William Haggas' Mubtasimah. This bay daughter of Dark Angel cost 160,000 euros at the yearling sales (65,000 Guinea foal). Now in the ownership of Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum. Interesting to note this is the only filly Haggas has entered for the Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1). He does well at Yarmouth and looks well found in the betting. Debutantes are difficult to assess and trainers rarely want to give them a hard race. Definitely one of the major hopes. 

Jeremy Noseda isn't having a vintage year with his two-year-olds. That point alone brings a few question marks and may limit the ability of Quasar. However, even a relatively poor string can unveil a talent and reason why this American-bred son of Orb is worthy of some interest. The owner, Marc Keller, is no stranger to very talented horses which adds to significance. This breeze-up purchase cost $250,000 (actually bought by the owner). A Rockfell Stakes (Group 2) entry gives further hope. The stable can ready a juvenile to win on its racecourse bow. The betting is the best sign here. Very few of the stable's debutantes win when priced over 8/1. 

Conclusion: An intriguing race. No Way Hose sets a decent standard - fit and ready to roll. The weight penalty is the issue. It seems hard work for winners to defy these penalties. Whether a winner or not depends on the quality of the debutantes. I'm confident Mubtasimah has the ability to win this season. If touching each-way odds could be a decent bet. It's difficult to know what to think about Quasar. The lack of quality two-year-olds in the stable may indicate a lesser juvenile. However, he was a relatively costly buy, well owned and a good jockey booking. If priced 8/1 & less, I would give this horse the benefit of the doubt.