Friday's 2YO Update (12th October)

Plenty of class 2yo races to consider today. 

Here is list to recap:

1:50 Newmarket (G)
2:05 York (N) 
2:25 Newmarket (G)
3:15 York  
3:35 Newmarket (G)
4:45 Newmarket 
5:00 York 
5:20 Newmarket 
6:15 Wolverhampton (S) 
7:45 Wolverhampton 

Key: (G) Group race, (N) Nursery & (S) Selling race

We don't consider Group races as betting races (rarely) but simply enjoy them as a conclusion to the two-year-old journey for many quality horses (that we detail throughout the year). 

3:15 York - 

A Class 3 race so a good number of these are likely to have been given significant entries at some point. I am writing and reviewing at the same time - so we will see!

Exalted Angel was noted by Group Horse Daily before making her debut for Karl Burke. Starting her career over 5f at Nottingham, saw a pleasing first start. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel ran well, closing nicely in the final furlong. Inexperience may well have cost her victory that day. This February foal should be wiser today. From a statistical point has very good each-way claims. 

Decent price money going here so there is likely to be some opposition. 

Richard Hannon's Spell is quite well regarded. She ran well on debut when narrowly foiled. Beaten at Listed class over course and distance. This Irish-bred daughter of Slade Power was outpaced but run on well that day. She had a prime draw at Kempton when stepping up to 6f. Travelled well and clung to the rail but was caught at the furlong pole. It was a slightly disappointing effort in ways. Considering Spell had been off course since early May it is possible she was in need of the run. 

Broken Spear has been very busy this season. A true speedster, this gelding has run nine times and achieved one win when scooting clear by seven lengths. He has been a credit to Tony Coyle and been placed on numerous occasions. Most recently, far from disgraced at Listed class. Coming back to stakes class means having the win penalty as a burden which doesn't help matters. Likely to lead and hope to steal a few easy lengths, trying to hold on to grim death. 

Tim Easterby does well at this course. Arletta Star was entered for a Listed race earlier in the year but didn't take that race. She wasn't fancied on debut but ran with some promise in fifth. Then beaten pretty easily into third by a couple of decent sorts over 6f at Haydock. Interesting to see this horse drop back in trip. Needs to find a lot of improvement but I do get the impression connections think she has some ability. 

Conclusion: An interesting race. Exalted Angel has a decent chance and if an each-way price worthy of respect. Spell is difficult to assess. She may be better than seen as connections must think a bit of her. Broken Spear will do well to defy the win penalty. Probably set the pace and tire in the closing furlong. While Arletta Star needs to find a lot of improvement. A couple of other form horses [Angel Alexander & Skeetah] make it a race of some depth. 

Broken Spear 4/1 1st
Angel Alexander 11/8f 2nd 
Spell 7/1 3rd 
Arletta Star 25/1 6th

Note: Broken Spear showed his pace and literally had the opposition on the ropes. A great performance under a penalty. Spell ran on well but needs a stiffer course. Exalted Angel proved disappointing. 

 4:45 Newmarket - 

Charlie Hills has noted Rhossili Down. She ran well behind the ultra-talented Fashion's Star (who we noted in advance of debut). 

Rhossili Down 11/2 9th

Note: Rhossili Down didn't do much. Interesting to see if she bounces back next start as this looks too bad to be true. 

5:00 York - 

Ralph Beckett has been in good form with his juveniles. Sam Cooke ran well on debut when beaten by a fair talent in Artois. Punters were left reeling when he was beaten by Ticklish at 2/5f. The pair beat the third by over ten lengths so it may have been the case Mark Johnston's winner is fair. That race was at auction class, as is this, so it should give plenty of opportunities to hit the frame. 

Couldn't help but smile when I noticed Cadeau D'Amour running. Richard Fahey's son of Camacho was entered for the Brocklesby Stakes. See, how many people could tell you that piece of information? He cost £35,000 at the yearling sales. Now in the ownership of Middleham Park. 

Sam Cooke 2/1 1st 
Cadeau D'Amour 25/1 unp

Note: Sam Cooke had shown a level of ability and enjoyed a tidy success. 

5:20 Newmarket - 

William Haggas has Night Secret. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel looked in need of the experience on debut. Been entered for a Class 2 stakes race which gives some confidence although far from the best in the stable. 

Another filly with a similar entry is Richard Hannon's Star Of War. A big price on debut at Leicester behind stablemate Canton Queen. Ran a great race when stepping up to one mile at this course three weeks ago. The first two beat the rest well. She lost on the nod after a sustained battle with Peter Chapple-Hyam's Sh Boom. Interesting to see how this drop back in distance goes. 

Star Of War 5/1 5th 
Night Secret 10/1 8th 

Note: Night Secret was very weak in the betting which suggested she wasn't good enough. Star Of War ran a respectable race.  

6:15 Wolverhampton - 

We don't, generally, take much notice of Selling races. Often it is to do with time so you should keep checking yourself. A couple of noted entrants. Bill Turner's Arthur's Spirit. Interesting to see Gay Kellway has Elieden still trying to get that first win after nine starts. Will it be tenth time lucky? 

Elieden 5/1 8th 
Arthur's Spirit 12/1 9th 

Note: Elieden was slow away, bumped and then ran wide. No chance. Maybe capable of winning at this grade if/when something goes right. Arthur's Secret was very weak in the betting and out of form.  

Saturday's 2YO Update

Well, I have got back from Great Yarmouth and updated all the race reviews. Now I have to look at Saturday's action and it's 9:30pm. 

It takes a lot of effort to update this info. 

Far too many races so I'm going to keep this as brief as I can which usually means the post is longer than ever. I hope not for my sake. 

1:15 Newbury - 

Richard Hannon's *Masaru won well on debut then finished eighth in the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes when a beaten favourite. This bay colt is well respected in the stable and made favourite to take the spoils. Interesting to see how he goes. I must admit, I do have concerns about many of these winners who carry penalties. A lot have failed to deliver as favourites under the burden. I will run a study on these at the end of the season to gain more insight because I don't think many are value at short odds. Certainly, class horses can win but it is something to consider. 

One horse at big odds noted by trainer Marcus Tregoning is Tell William. In general, few of his debutant win at speculative odds. This son of Invincible Spirit is priced 40/1. 

Tell William 25/1 8th


* NR

1:40 Chelmsford - 

Roger Charlton's Catan has an entry although looks one of the stable's lesser lights. A winner at huge odds last start and has to defy a win penalty. 

Catan 8/1 3rd 

2:10 Newmarket - 

Simon Crisford has noted El Gumryah, who ran well on debut in a strong field at Goodwood. 

Star Of War has been given a Class 2 entry which may suggest ability. Ran ok on debut at Leicester when behind impressive stablemate Canton Queen. Stepping up to a mile should help. 

Star Of War 7/1 2nd
El Gumryah 7/2 3rd

4:05 Newmarket - 

I always like William Haggas' two-year-old runners at Newmarket. As often the case with talented juveniles, they show their form second start. Coup De Gold has been noted by connections and a costly purchase at 155,000 euros. This son of Maxios was fancied to go well on debut at Sandown but little went right: slowly into stride, keen and then stumbling. However, he did show latent ability and one would suspect better today. The hood has been applied for the first time to help concentrate the mind. Wouldn't want to be slow from the stall but that experience should help. 

Interesting to see Clive Cox has Eligible making his debut. Cox isn't the type of trainer to detail horses of limited ability and this son of Dark Angel cost 145,000 guineas as a foal and races in the silks of A D Spence. A noted owner. Priced 14/1, it will be interesting to see if this juvenile is backed. I'd be pretty confident this horse has ability, although if a big price you have to consider it may need the run. In general, the two-year-olds are fit and well. Interesting to see how this one goes. 

Another one of Marcus Tregoning's debutantes in Strindberg. This son of Sea The Moon wasn't the most expensive but given a Class 2 stakes entry which suggests connections have some hope. As detailed above, most of there debutantes need the run at speculative prices although they can show ability. At 33/1 this horse is a big price if fancying a punt. 

Conclusion: Coup De Gold will run well. Interesting to see if Eligible is backed. Maybe worth a speculative punt at big odds in the hope it is backed.  

Note: Must apologise for not noticing that King Ottokar had been given a significant entry by Charlie Fellows. The horse was well backed and won! 

King Ottokar 9/2 1st 
Coup De Gold 3/1 8th 
Eligible 12/1 9th 
Strindberg 50/1 unp

8:15 Wolverhampton - 

Saeed bin Suroor is going well this season, which makes a change from the lull of the last few meagre harvests. *Dubai Icon wasn't fancied on debut but likely to show up well here. 

Mark Jonhston has Henry's Conquest. A recent Class 2 stakes entry may indicate hope. Priced 16/1 in the betting, it would bring more confidence. Very few of their debutantes win at bigger odds. 

Henry's Conquest 14/1 6th 

* NR

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