Very busy. I will be travelling again this weekend back to West Palm Beach, Florida. I've got up extra early to detail today's info.
1:30 Haydock -
Sparkle Roll cost 750,000 euros. Expectations were high on debut but John Gosden's daughter of Kingman disappointed. The 2/1f looked very inexperienced, starting slowly and flashing her tail, ultimately finishing fifth, beaten six lengths. Bookmakers haven't given up on this horse and punters will be hoping to see more today.
Mick Channon has a decent string of juveniles and Air Force Amy was set a real challenge on debut when running a gallant third behind a couple of talents. She was beaten many lengths at Beverley next start when Mot Juste cruised home. Air Force Amy wasn't suited by a wide draw and done well to beat the rest by four lengths.
Other horses of note, Maamora has been given a Class 2 entry. This daughter of Dubawi finished behind Sparkle Roll on debut when backed from 13/2 - 7/2. Simon Crisford knows his stuff and I it's possible this filly disappointed that day and will run much better at respectable odds.
Sparkle Roll 15/2 1st
Air Force Amy 8/1 3rd
Maamora 22/1 8th
Conclusion: Sparkle Roll is likely to show more today, especially if strong in the betting. Maamora may have disappointed on debut and could be big odds. Difficult to assess in ways but interesting. Air Force Amy ran well on debut and may have been made to look worse than she is at Beverley. All three have claims.
1:55 Ripon -
Three entrants here. Luxor and Fastman have proven their worth winning. They have to defy win penalties. As we have seen this season, it isn't easy to win with such a burden although true talents do.
Just Be Friendly is interesting. On form she looks pretty moderate but that has been due to temperament. On both starts, this daughter of Toronado has pulled much too hard and ruined any hope of winning. No doubt this is the reason Bell has dropped back to 6f. That may well help although you get the feeling she needs seven furlongs but has failed to settle. Just Be Friendly may have each-way claims although temperamental horses can prove to be difficult to win.
Fastman 11/8f 1st
Just Be Friendly 9/2 2nd
Luxor 2/1 3rd
2:00 Chester -
Jensue has been noted by Tom Dascombe.
2:40 Haydock -
Horses of note: Drogon & Oak Park.
Oak Park looked inexperienced on debut but was getting his act together at the death. Show improve for that first start and holds respectable each-way claims.
Oak Park 15/2 6th
Drogon 5/1 9th
4:15 Newmarket -
This looks a pretty hot contest.
Imperial Charm is held in some regard by Simon Crisford. While Sunday Star disappointed on debut and then well backed at Goodwood when going close. To be honest, I wasn't happy with the ride given that day as the horse really should have won.
*Truly Adored has been noted by Richard Hannon but will need to be pretty smart and primed to win on debut.
Sunday Star 7/2 1st
Imperial Charm 6/4f 3rd
* NR
4:50 Newmarket -
Ralph Beckett has a fair string of juveniles this season. Desirous disappointed on debut but ran well next start behind Dandhu, who is a lovely, strong filly who has run well in Group class.
Desirous 4/1 2nd
Each way treble -
1:55 Ripon - Just Be Friendly (7/1)
2:40 Haydock - Oak Park (5/1)
4:15 Newmarket - Sunday Star (7/2)
1:30 Ascot -
Finoah
I'Letyouknow
Swiper
Finoah is determined but keeps getting beat. I'Letyouknow has been beaten favourite on both starts to date. Open to further improvement. Swiper finished second last time out.
1:50 Haydock -
Sparkle Roll
An expensive 750,000 yearling purchase. Strongly fancied in the betting. Gosden has a decent string of two-year-olds and they often go well when favourite.
2:05 Ascot -
Prince Eiji
Red Armada
Roger Varian's juveniles are running well and Prince Eiji is definitely one of the best in the stable. This 2,600,000 guineas yearly cost an arm and a leg and held in high regard. Debutantes are difficult to assess at times but this one could go well on his first start. An each-way price may give a little more room to play with.
Red Armada wasn't overly fancied in the betting on debut and finished fourth of six. A huge price here at 25/1. Needs to improve but not impossible. Would give greater encouragement if backed.
2:25 Haydock -
*Hidden Message
William Haggas has a decent string of juveniles and they have been running well. Hidden Message cost $150,000 at the yearling sales.
* NR
4:25 Musselburgh -
Sky Defender
Sky Defender is a very capable horse who ran well on debut at Goodwood when narrowly foiled. There must have been an issue at York when competing in the Convivial Maiden Stakes. If back to best has strong claims here.
6:15 Kempton -
Sam Cooke
Ralph Beckett's two-year-olds have been putting in some nice performances of late with a few decent winners. I actually missed Frangrant Bell who won on debut. Sam Cooke has been given a similar entry. This bay colt wasn't the most expensive at 36,000 euros but interesting from a low draw.
Artois doesn't have any significant entries but from a statistical point of view has respectable win and place claims.
6:45 Kempton -
Almufti
Albert Finney
Hugo Palmer isn't having the best of seasons with his two-year-olds. Blonde Warrior is about as good as they get. Almufti hasn't been seen for over two months. This son of Toronado has been fancied on both starts. He was far too keen last time out at Newcastle. There may have been a few problems along the way because it's a lengthy absence. Stepping up in distance so will need to settle.
Albert Finney was on our 10 Dark Horse mailing. One of few to disappoint. Two races haven't seen too much potential although relatively fancied on both starts. The 25/1 odds suggests something isn't quite happening. This homebred has the hood applied no doubt with the thought of finding the key to ability. Be nice to see this horse show a little bit more. Time will tell.
7:15 Kempton -
Imperial Charm
Dandhu
Short Skirt
Desirous
As you can see, plenty of well-entered two-year-olds going here. A fascinating race. For each-way punters, it is a shame this isn't three places. Imperial Charm and Dandhu ran in the same race at Newmarket. It was a competitive heat and there wasn't a great deal between the pair in third and fourth place respectively. The former trained by Simon Crisford is one of the stable's better two-year-olds. Dandhu is definitely in the top two of David Elsworth's youngsters. He does very well at this course. This daughter of Dandy Man is a burly type. She didn't get a very good start at Newmarket and Mosse seemed very slow to get her in contention, which cost her dear in the closing furlong. I think she would have gone close to winning. She does seem to be a little tardy from the stalls which doesn't help. Potentially this could be a problem on this turning course. I suspect she will run off the pace and maybe bigger odds in running if you bet on the exchanges.
Imperial Charm is a decent horse and I wouldn't knock her. In fact, from a low draw, she may well lead and could make valuable lengths over the likes of Dandhu. I can see Crisford instructing front-running tactics. I could be a battle with Dandhu at the line.
This is a competitive race.
Short Skirt has proven she is no slouch with three seconds to date. Eve Johnston-Houghton's charge has been beaten less than two lengths on all starts. She has cheekpieces applied and stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time.
To add to the dilemma Ralph Beckett fields Desirous. This daughter of Kingman was well fancied on debut but disappointed. The going description of good may have hidden the fact it was slow ground. The time being 5 seconds slow indicates some ease. I would imagine connections expected much better. I think this filly is well respected in the stable and could well improve on this second start.
Conclusion: Pity this race is so competitive. A few hidden dangers make it a tricky affair, especially with just six runners. I like Dandhu but there is just a little too much going on for me. I can see her touching much bigger odds in running but that will be an obstacle to overcome. Pretty sure Imperial Charm will lead and try to hang on. Short Skirt is able. While Desirous is probably much better than most imagine. A watching brief. A good few winners will come from this race so I may just hope one or two look disappointing for future bets.
Take a look at a bet we advise today