A few significantly-entered juveniles running today.
2:40 Southwell -
Bendy Spirit was given a Brocklesby Stakes entry. This son of Helmet wasn't particularly fancied in the betting on that occasions when the stable's first string [Show Me Show Me] won well for Ontoawinner syndicate. Bendy Spirit showed good pace but tired rapidly in the closing stages and finished nearer last than first. Better was seen next start at Pontefract. Alminoor ran out an easy winner. However, Bendy Spirit ran creditably, held up off the pace and finished with some spirit. A nice-looking colt, progressive, and is likely to show improved form today. The form of the Pontefract race has been franked to some extent. If Bendy Spirit drifts to decent odds [8/1+] could hold each way claims.
Mark Tompkin's Prosecutor is the other entrant and been backed from over 100/1 on the exchanges.
2:50 Newcastle -
Robert Cowell is a fair trainer and it is worth noting Strive For Glory has been given an entry for a class 2 race. In fact, this bay colt, a son of Dialled In, who cost $80,000, was earmarked to run at Ascot. Last year, Cowell had eight two-year-olds he identified as having a touch of class and the majority won in their formative season. It is telling that very few of Cowell's two-year-old debutantes win. Even when pretty fancied in the betting they have about a 10% chance of winning, although fair place claims. Strive For Glory is worth noting today but more for the future.
5:25 Windsor -
Interesting to note Jamie Osborne's two-year-olds this season have shown up pretty well on debut, which isn't always the case for his juveniles. Emten is a bay daughter of Bungleinthejungle in the ownership of Melbourne 10 Racing and a £36,000 yearling purchase. Once again, Osborne isn't known for two-year-old winners on their racing bow. However, he can hit the mark when they are priced 9/2 & less SP. If outside this price guide it is unlikely they will prevail.
Once again, Group Horse shows its worth with two winners on the day.
2:25 Southwell -
Kevin Ryan has three starts Baldwin running here. A fair sort and once entered for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2). Probably as good chance as seen.
Champagne Mondays hasn't achieved must in three starts. This son of Milk It Mick was entered for the Brocklesby Stakes but a limited horse with a 58 official rating. No particular hope.
3:45 Chepstow -
Production is a well-entered juvenile for Richard Hannon. A win penalty makes life more difficult but a talented individual.
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.
An EBF Novice Stakes over 5f (4f 214y) on Standard going.
Eight two-year-olds take part: two once raced and field of debutantes. Three fillies take on the colts.
Arthur's Spirit & Haats Off made their debut in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. The former, trained by Bill Turner, who often sends his best juvenile to contest this race, failed to shine. This son of Swiss Spirit was relatively fancied in the betting at odds of 10/1. He showed fair speed before fading into eighth. On that performance, there is little to sing about. The other side of the coin, the ground was testing and horses can often disappoint on debut. I would imagine connections expected more. Turner usually tells it is as it is so pre-race thoughts may reveal they are still hopeful. Best take a watching brief although not impossible to show more.
Haats Off is a chestnut daughter of Haatef. Brian Barr isn't known for having smart juveniles and reason she was 66/1. In truth, this January foal showed excellent pace before tiring at the furlong pole. I imagine they went a little too fast although the soft ground may have been the cause of her downfall. With experience onside, connections may blast from the stalls and gain a lead. Whether she will hold that pace to the line is the gamble.
Brian Barr's Brahma Kamal was entered to run in the Brocklesby but withdrawn most likely due to the soft going. This bay colt cost 14,000G at the yearling sales.
Interesting to see how Robyn Brisland's string goes this season. He had a few fair juveniles last year. Insanto was similarly entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take part. This son of Charm Spirit and cost just 2,500G. The mare enjoyed a trip.
Ontoawinner and Karl Burke are no stranger to success. Majestic Appeal is worthy of note, especially if fancied in the betting. This April foal is a son of Heeraat and 20,000E yearling purchase by the trainer. One for the shortlist.
Two trainers who can hit the floor running are Richard Fahey and David Evans.
North Korea is a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle out of a multiple-winning mare who prevailed on debut. A relatively cheap yearling purchase at just 5,500E. Evans is never the easiest of trainers to assess on debut. They can go very well or fail to shine. The betting is the best guide.
Richard Fahey is a trainer to respect with debutantes. His racing club do pretty well, so it is worth noting Mr Buttons. This son of Elzaam cost 21,000G at the yearling sales. The stable had the third in the Brocklesby, which gives them form with Haats Off and Arthur's Spirit.
Tony Coyle had the second in the Brocklesby, with a fair sort in Brocken Spear. *Maggies Passion is a bay daughter of Sir Percy. The mare enjoyed a trip so may need further in time.
Conclusion: A race to watch. A couple of form horses from the Brocklesby Stakes. Haats Off showed good pace but difficult to assess in some ways. Arthur's Spirit showed little but may be better simply because Turner often sends his better horses to compete in the race he debuted. Of the unraced, Majestic Appeal is worthy of interest from a stable who can go well on their racecourse bow. Mr Buttons hails from a stable who know the time of day and form lines with the two raced. North Korea is another from a trainer who can shine and if backed would bring added confidence. This doesn't look the strongest of heats. I'll be taking a watching brief.
NR: Maggies Passion