Friday's 2YO Update (19th Nov)

1:45 Redcar - 

A lowly Claiming Stakes. I hardly dare mention Elieden, trained by Gay Kelleway. This two-year-old has been given a few significant entries over the season but now target the bottom of the barrel. This bay daughter of Camacho is proving very hard work. I wouldn't advise a bet but detailing this juvenile simply because she is the only significant entry in the field. She was half fancied at Wolverhampton. A slow start, hampered and running wide on the bend, gave no chance at all. Stepping up to 7f. At least this is a straight course so it may give less opportunity to find problems. Ten starts and no wins don't impress. It will be interesting to see what happens. 

Elieden 3/1 2nd 

Note: Elieden proved she is just about up to winning a race but, still, not today. Ran a fair race in second. She isn't the biggest of horses but seemed to be unbalanced for most not sure if that was jockey or horse.  

3:20 Redcar - 

Andrew Balding's Fox Leicester has run twice this season. Fancied on debut when disappointing but showing much more second start at 20-1. A couple of Class 2 Stakes entries give some element of confidence although far from one of the better juveniles at Kingsclere. This 310,000 euro purchase races in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. This step up to one mile should help. 

Hugo Palmer has Barend Boy. This gelding has raced eight times. Looked to have ability on debut when favourite but proved very unreliable this season. He did manage to win at nursery level when rated 79. At best, this son of Oasis Dream has some standard (proved by the highest official rating of 89). However, he didn't run very well at all last time out over one mile. That run must have been too bad to be true because Eeyore the donkey wouldn't have been that far afield. The visor has been applied. Another horse who has had a long season which always brings concern. 

Fox Leicester 9/4 2nd 
Barend Boy 28/1 5th 

Note: Fox Leicester ran a sound race but couldn't match John Gosden's debutante who put in a classy display.  Not a bad run in second place. Barend Boy led for a long way and wasn't disgraced in 5th place at 28/1. 

4:05 Haydock - 

William Haggas has had a fine two-year-old season. Plenty of winners. Coup De Gold has been noted by the stable but proven disappointing on two starts to date. A couple of placed efforts doesn't sound too bad but 10 lengths+ defeats don't sit so comfortable. This son of Maxios cost 155,000 euros at the yearling sales. Priced 3-1 on both runs. He is stepping up to one mile which may help. The betting suggests he is still fancied so punters haven't given up the ghost just yet. Many will be hoping that run was too bad to be true. It was soft going that day. I wondered if that was the reason! However, the going today is heavy. That in itself is enough to put me off. If strong in the betting, it would suggest better is expected. These disappointing horses are difficult. If they are short odds you are sucked into thinking they are decent but is that value? Conversely, if they are a huge price you have a price but figure little chance of success. Interesting. I'll be watching.

Coup De Gold 3/1 2nd 

Note: Ran a fair race in second. Always looked uncomfortable hanging and looking an awkward ride. Not sure if it was the ground, but didn't seem very straightforward to me. 

6:15 Newcastle - 

These restricted auction races often make a good betting medium. Boston George is very interesting. Trained by Keith Dalgliesh, this bay colt is a son of Raven's Pass in the ownership of Weldspec Glasgow Ltd (who have some decent types with the stable). This March foal cost just $7,000 when purchased at the yearling sales. He ran well on debut when competing in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. In addition, he has received a couple more significant entries. He is held in some regard by connections. Looks to have respectable claims. Very unlikely to drift to each-way prices, but if it happened a very good bet.  

Boston George 4/5f 1st

Note: Always going to be a hard horse to beat here. Not much of a price but a professional display to win well. 

Monday's 2YO Race Update

Five two-year-old race for Monday. I will try to keep this as brief as possible because I am trying to do a million things at once.

2:05 Redcar - 

Mark Johnston has been in very good form and details the only significant entry for with Aisling. This race type is restricted which usually favours proven form horses.Big Ace ran well last time out and looks a tough horse to beat. However, Johnston's daughter of Dream Ahead - a very cheap buy - has been given an entry of note so it will be interesting to see how she goes.  

2:15 Carlisle - 

Once again, Mark Johnston has the sole entry here with Hard Forest. A wide draw isn't ideal. She must be held in some regard by connections as received a couple of entries including a Listed race. This American-bred daughter of Hard Spun has looked a short runner but ran ok on a couple of occasions. She was readily outpointed at Yarmouth although the form of that race has been franked. Has plenty of pace so may try to get to the rail from this high draw. A slight concern about her tiring in the final furlong.

From a statistical point of view, True Mason could go very well. A wide draw isn't ideal. He ran in a decent race on debut and may have been bogged down with the mud or slightly in need of the run. The stable have been out of form which doesn't bring confidence but their fortunes will change sooner or later. Definitely one for the short list. 

Cosmic Law was the more fancied of the two Fahey runners at Doncaster, where the outsider of the two prevailed. Cosmic Law was slow away from the stalls and never really involved. However, this son of No Nay Never stayed on in the closing stages without being pressed. I was quite taken with that effort and a horse who will progress. If drifting to each-way prices is worth a small bet. 

6:00 Leicester - 

No significant entries.

6:15 Windsor - 

Quite an interesting race. Richard Hannon's Come On Leicester cost 360,000gns at the breeze-up sales and ran well when making her debut at Ascot. She has a plum draw in stall one and a recent entry for the National Stakes Listed races gives the impression this should be a stepping stone to bigger fish.Whether you want to jump in at 4/5f is the only concern. Definitely the horse to beat.

Gay Kelleway's Elieden was a bargain buy at the breeze-up sales. An excellent purchase at £4,000. Interesting to note this small filly was entered to run at selling class but also higher profile races such as the Lily Agnes, a Class 2 contest and the National Stakes Listed. She was sent off a huge price on debut at Chester. A wide draw and slow start didn't help. However, she ran very well, finding trouble in running down the straight, but finished with some verve. There is always a chance she could have been slightly flattered. Recent entries suggest connections fancy she has ability. A wide draw isn't ideal here and she wouldn't be helped by another tardy start. If starting on terms, could well hold each-way claims at 12/1. The favourite looks hard to beat so if betting you may be wiser to have a point on the favourite and Elieden and just hope the jolly has a disaster. 

Richard Hughes has a number of two-year-olds. They often struggle to win but show form. Kadiz traveled well on debut but went a stride too fast and looked to hate the testing conditions at Salisbury. If back to her best, could hold claims. A wide draw isn't ideal but she should have the pace to sit handy if her rider chooses. A hood has been applied which is a slight negative. 

6:45 Windsor - 

Not significant entries