A few two-year-old races for Monday. 1:35 Ayr - Mistress Of Love is interesting for Karl Burke. Spigot Lodge must be pleased to have a few talented juveniles under the ownership of Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd. You may remember that Kadar (one of our 10 Dark Horses) was meant to run over the weekend but was withdrawn under a vet's certificate. Mistress Of Love is an American-bred daughter of Scat Daddy costing $1000,000. These owners don't lack in money and I would be very surprised if this juvenile doesn't win. She has an entry at the Curragh for the Debutante Stakes (Group 2) over 7f. 1:50 Ripon - Richard Fahey's Good Tyne Girl holds claims here. 7:40 Wolverhampton - Richard Hannon has It's The Only Way going here. This Irish-bred son of Lilbourne Lad won his first two starts and carries a big weight which connections try to take the edge off with a 7lb apprentice. Not sure if I would jump in at short odds because these win penalties seem hard to defy. To be fair the opposition doesn't look much. *Wolf Hunter was given a significant entry early season but it looked to be next to worthless. He isn't the worst horse ever but been contesting at plating class and official rating of just 63. * NR
Been very busy these last few days so will just detail the basics.
2:15 Ripon - Murqaab was outclassed in the Windsor Castle Listed race at Royal Ascot. Sosume is interesting. This French-bred son of Siyouni cost 105,000 euros at the breeze-up sales and one of just two horses the stable has entered for the Gimcrack Stakes Group 2. Karl Burke's debutantes can be a little hit and miss but they can win when talented and primed. If priced 10/1 & less SP has respectable each way claims. Note: Very well backed from 7/1, early, on exchanges. Another Gimcrack entrant is Three Card Trick, trained by Kevin Ryan. This British-bred son of Piccolo races in the familiar silks of Guy Reed Racing. This March foal started his career at York, a course the trainer often sends his better prospects. He was relatively fancied that day and ran well to finish second to Dunkerron, who finished fourth next start in the July Stakes (Group 2). 2:45 Ripon - A 5f nursery. Not the race type I bet. One significantly entered juvenile being Mayson Mac who made a splendid winning debut and highly tried thereafter. Down the field last time out in the Windsor Castle Listed race at Royal Ascot. This should feel easier. 6:10 Wolverhampton - So Brave won well on debut and then uplaced in the Empress Fillies' Stakes Listed race. Has a winner's penalty but this is a marked drop in class. 6:20 Windsor - William Haggas has First Thought entered here. Not shown a great deal on two starts to date. Magical Wish had been noted by Group Horse as Hannon seemed to be taking particular care placing this colt who is in the ownership of Middleham Park Racing. This Irish-bred son of Heeraat ran very well on debut at Salisbury when beaten a short head. Looks to set a stiff task. 6:40 Wolverhampton - I always like a Tom Dascombe debut winner. Light My Fire held an entry for the Lily Agnes Stakes but made her debut at Ripon when winning comfortably. This Irish-bred daughter of Dragon Pulse looks an inspired buy at just 23,000 euros. 6:50 Windsor - Adam West doesn't have to many entered juveniles. Capala is no world beater but ran ok on debut after a slow start. He had a wide draw at Kempton and then ran wide until tiring in the final furlong. He wouldn't have won with a lower draw but is better than seen and this drop in distance may be a positive. Would seem to be better suited to auction class but still may have some hope. Swiss Pride is no slouch and deserves respect. Richard Hughes charge has shown ability in his three starts to date. He wasn't given the best ride at Nottingham when his jockey went a stride too fast. Interesting this drop in distance. Won't have any problems although whether he can show that pace over this shorter distance has to be seen.
2:00 Ayr - Celebrity Dancer won well on debut for Kevin Ryan. Finished third next start at Pontefract when stepping up in class. Tim Easterby's Amadeus Grey has been runner-up on the last two starts, both at auction class.
The third entrant is Mark Johnston's Royal Big Night, who started his career at York although well beaten. 6:10 Windsor - A competitive 6f race on good to firm going. Boa Nova won quite well on debut at Bath, in what turned out to be a scrappy affair. Brian Meehan's two-year-old headed to Royal Ascot and unplaced in the Coventry (Group 2) when 100/1. Kevin Ryan's Sense Of Belonging ran well on debut at York in a classy race. This son of Dutch Art was made odds on next start at Hamilton when racing on soft going. By all accounts this was a poor run. Whether this was due to soft ground or because he took a keen hold could be reasons. Ryan has entered this chestnut colt for the Phoenix Stakes (Group 1). Connections will be expecting a big run here from a prime draw. In addition, Swiper has received an entry and beaten favourite over course and distance. 6:30 Ripon - One of Charles Hills significant entrants. Hawayel finished unplaced in the Albany Stakes (Group 3).
A very busy day with seven races so I'm not going crazy writing a long post.
2:10 Ripon -
Eyelool was fancied on debut but an awkward start saw him playing catch up for the rest of the race. The form looks decent enough. William Haggas must fancy this to go well. It doesn't look the strongest race. 2:20 Yarmouth - Blonde Warrior must take some beating for Hugo Palmer. As present, this horse has no entries. The sole entrant is First Thought. He wasn't overly fancied on debut at York and finished down the field. It is something of a positive starting at this Grade 1 course so may have some hope of ability. It would give more confidence if backed. 2:30 Haydock - No entries. 3:00 Haydock - No entries. 5:55 Sandown - Looks a competitive heat. Mersey has been given one entry. 6:05 Carlisle - Another trappy affair. A few of these have shown form. Iain Jardine doesn't have too many talented two-year-olds but Samantha James ran well on debut; a race where the form looks solid. Interesting to note that Karl Burke's Little Kim was considered for the Hilary Needler Stakes at Beverley. This must be a sign of ability. A relatively wide draw and being a debutante are slight concerns. If drifting to speculative odd may be worth an each-way bet. This looks a tricky race to me and pretty competitive to be fair. 6:40 Carlisle - Gingersdunthelot has been highly tried but looks to fall flat after three fast furlongs. Best watched.
The Wooden Spoon Charity Stakes over 6f on good to firm going. One of eight two-year-olds will receive the wooden spoon. Two horses with racecourse experience. One horse has a significant entry. Scott Dixon isn't the easiest trainer to second guess but Champagne Mondays was given a Brocklesby Stakes entry but didn't take part. This chestnut son is sired by Milk It Mick out of a ten-time winning mare (who wasn't a talented but a battling handicapper). This home bred is priced 20/1. Be interesting to see if there is any money for this horse as the stable like to bet if they have a chance. Scott Dixon won the Brocklesby back in 2014 with Cock Of The North, who raced at a high level including placed at Group 2. Not the type of horse I would rush out to bet but interesting in its own way.
Not a great deal of time so I will simple detail the significantly-entered juveniles for Friday's four races. 2:50 Lingfield - An EBF Novice Stakes over 4f 217y on good to firm going. Ed Walker has a nice prospect with On The Stage. Interesting that Dark Panther has been noted by the trainer. This Irish-bred son of Dandyman was relatively fancied on debut at Brighton but ran horrendously. A huge price today. Sometimes the worse they look on debut the better they go second start. Needs a leap of faith. 5:10 Nottingham - A Fillies' Novice Median Auction Stakes over 5f 8y on good going. No significant entrants. 5:50 Ripon - Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on good going. Richard Hughes' charge is the only significantly entered two-year-old in this race. Wolf Hunter showed zilch on debut at Bath when trailing home in the mud. This son of Sir Prancealot ruined his chance when returning to Kempton in what looked to be a fairly hot race. He was keen and ran wide on the bend which all but ruined any chance of winning. However, this chestnut colt made eye-catching progress in the closing furlong suggesting he is capable of much better. This juvenile doesn't look the easiest horse to ride and temperamental which is never good news. Could go well but you are taking a gamble whether he settles or not. Slightly off putting. 6:00 Ascot - An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 5f on good to firm going. No significantly entered juveniles.
I will try to keep this short and sweet. Three two-year-old races. I will detail those with significant entries and give a brief thought or two. 1:45 Ripon - 5f Novice Auction Stakes on good to soft going. Nine two-year-olds take part. A mix of trainers. The two form horses both have significant entries: Kinks, who won last time out after showing up well on debut at Kempton. Mick Channon has better juveniles than the previous few years. This son of Sixties Icon is a professional horse who is likely to lead and try and hold on. Tony Coyle has sent out a few two-year-olds this season but the best of the lot looks to be Broken Spear who proved something of a surprise when contesting the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. This bay gelding was a 33/1 shot but ran a sterling race and only beaten three-quarters of a length. Hasn't been seen for 30+ days, which gives the impression it was due to the gelding operation. Always a slight concern why that was needed. Perhaps he had been a touch unruly since that debut effort. Neither horse offer great value at their prices although these race type usually go to form horses which they are the only two. 2:15 Leicester - No significantly entered two-year-olds at the time of writing. By all accounts an interesting race. I am pretty sure Evans rates Awake In Asia. While True Mason is well owned and cost a lot at the yearling sales. 5:45 Doncaster - 5f 3y EBF Maiden Stakes on soft going Just the one significantly entered juvenile here for Mark Johnston. No Lippy is one of two fillies in this six-strong field. This British-bred daughter of Oasis Dream is well bred and a bargain buy at 44,000 euros. Related to a Listed race winner. Interesting.