A good few two-year-old races today.
1:30 Nottingham:
Summer Blossom
Has been a model of consistency but has always found one or two too good.
Exalted Angel
This son of Dark Angel cost 150,000 euros at the yearling sales. Burke can win with his debutants. Most hold fair each-way claims when priced 10/1 & less SP. * Has been seriously backed from 14/1 on Betfair to 7/2 with bookmakers at present.
Summer Blossom 7/1 2nd
Exalted Angel 4/1 3rd
1:40 Salisbury:
Dawn Treader
Just a Class 2 entry which suggests not one of the better Richard Hannon juveniles. Not too fancied in the betting on both starts to date but ran out a respectable second last time at Sandown.
Dawn Trader 4/1 Unp
2:10 Salisbury:
Babbo's Boy
Interesting to see Michael Bell's debutante has been given a significant entry. This Irish-bred son of Mastercraftsman is out of a debut-winning mare who raced a pattern class. This bay colt cost 110,000 guineas. Looks well found in the market. Running over a mile gives debutantes time to find their feet but they can be hit and miss.
Wave Walker
One of just four horses entered by Sylvester Kirk. He is a good judge. This chestnut colt ran well on debut when seriously backed. The form of that race looks fair although that was only an auction race. The statistics second start suggested a big run but that was far from the truth with a lacklustre display. I can't help think that was a disappointment and much better could be seen today. Kirk does well at Salisbury, as does J C Smith. Interesting to see how he goes.
Wave Walker 9/1 5th
Babbo's Boy 10/1 7th
Very busy, so not a great deal of time to give a conclusive report. However, all the information is here for those who wish to find it.
6:00 Kempton -
7f starsports.bet/British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 5) (2yo)
Eleven two-year-olds take part on the standard to slow going.
Let's take a quick look at those with significant entries:
*Farnham is interesting. This bay daughter of Farhh is trained by Roger Varian and cost 110,000 guineas at the yearling sales. The mare was unraced but Farnham is related to three winning sprinters. Clipper Logistics is no stranger to good horses and it is interesting to note that this May foal held an entry for the Lowther Stakes (Group 2). It may be a negative that she has been withdrawn from that contest although it isn't too far from taking place so, perhaps, connections feel it will come too quickly.
2:10 Salisbury -
Tin Hat
Crantock Bay
Dirty Rascal
* NR
Three races of interest. Most have sizable field which doesn't fill my heart with joy. Why? Because they take longer to analyse. Just one race with significant entrants.
2:00 Salisbury -
Mick Channon has a decent string of two-year-olds. Certain Lad ran out a comfortable winner on debut and been given a Gain Railway Stakes (Group 2) entry, Ireland. Connections will be hoping he goes well here to head to that lofty engagement. A win penalty makes this a fair test.
Interesting that Stan Moore gave Warrior Display a Woodcote entry. His string haven't shown a great deal this year but he is a fair judge of ability. This Irish-bred son of Dandy Man cost £20,000 at the breeze-up sales. He is priced 50/1 with bookmakers because it is a competitive race and he doesn't have many debut winners. If you can get 100/1+ on the betting exchanges, you may take the plunge and bet a few quid each way. It is a shot in the dark but this horse must have proven something on the gallops.
2:10 Salisbury -
Novice Stakes over 5f on good to firm going.
Four juveniles with racecourse experience and four debutantes.
Two-year-olds with significant entries. High Horse was expected to win on debut but found a decent opponent in Big Boots who was somewhat disappointing next start under a penalty. The other entrant is Well Done Fox. A very expensive yearling at 255,000G. This son of Acclamation was a beaten favourite that day, tiring in the closing furlong. Perhaps he was slightly in need of the run. Both horses should show their worth today.
5:05 York -
An EBF Maiden Stakes. A Class 2 race so all significant entrants on good to firm going. Ten two-year-olds take part - just one with racecourse experience. A couple with multiple entries will be detailed, below.
I Am A Dreamer was entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take that contest but well beaten as even money favourite at Musselburgh and then at Newmarket. Looks to need improvement. Probably more interesting is Charlie Appleby's True Belief. This bay colt is a son of Excelebration out of a once-raced mare. He cost £95,000.
5:45 Newmarket -
Novice Auction Stakes over 6f on good going. Fourteen two-year-olds take part. Just two horses have racecourse experience. Those of most significance include Axel Jacklin trained by Mark Johnston. This bay colt wasn't that fancied on debut, giving the impression this extra furlong would help. Usain Boat ran well on debut at Yarmouth behind easy victor Artair, who looks to be a fair type for Michael bell. George Scott's son of Casamento wasn't best away and just pushed out to take second place. He is another horse who will benefit from this extra yardage and up hill finish.
Three 2yo races to consider.
2:00 Salisbury -
An EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10) over 5f on heavy going.
Just the one entry of note here being Richard Hannon's Mersey. This grey daughter of Kodiac is out of a debut-winning mare. This home bred has received a significant entry. The stable do quite well at this course. The only filly in the field. Testing going is always a slight concern but an interesting debutante.
5:40 Windsor -
An EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10) over 5f on good ot soft going.
Mark Johnston's two-year-olds are going pretty well. A decent couple of winners over the weekend. Blown By Wind ran out a tidy winner over course and distance on debut. A win penalty will show his level of class. Looks the type to finish well and appreciate a test of stamina.
5:50 Southwell -
No significant entries.