Monday's 2YO Update

You know, I really need to make my blog post titles more exciting. 

Let's have a look at Monday's significant entrants.

2:10 Windsor - 

Soft going. High number draws may have an advantage. 

Richard Hughes has been in decent form this season. Pleased to see him go better with his fancied runners as in previous years they were like some kind of death wish. Swiss Pride has been given a Class 2 stakes entry (which isn't anything amazing). A consistent colt who has raced seven times. Could well start favourite for this 5f. No real experience on the testing ground. A poor draw, too, if they head for the far rail. 

Bill Turner's fortunes have diminished over the years. Arthur's Spirit started off in the Brocklesby Stakes & competed in the Lily Agnes Stakes. This gelding has a decent level of pace as seen when beating Jungle Inthebungle at Kempton back in April. Hasn't shown a great deal in his last two starts. The latest over 6f saw him plummet to plating class. This son of Swiss Spirit ran poorly after showing an element of pace. An official rating of 66 doesn't speak well and he looks out of form. Another horse with a low draw. Blinkers have been applied for the first time. You couldn't really bet on this horse. 

Swiss Pride 9/4 6th 
Arthur's Spirit 25/1 9th 

Note: Neither of these looked attractive betting propositions. Swiss Pride may have failed on the going or regressing. Similar story for Arthur's Spirit who led but struggled thereafter. 

2:30 Pontefract - 

Soft going. 

Interesting to see Usain Boat is back. George Scott is a talented trainer but one who I find tricky to assess at times. This Irish-bred son of Casamento showed fair form on this formative starts. A winner at Newmarket on his second start. Had a break mid-June before returning in September when relatively fancied in the betting at Redcar when finishing last of ten. Not seen since. Needs to come back fighting fit. The cheekpieces have been applied to find something of a spark. A step up in distance, making this a test of stamina on soft ground. Interesting. Not a horse I would bet at short odds. 

Usain Boat 7/1 2nd 

Note: Usain Boat isn't in the best of form but held on for the second place. Led for most but easily outpointed by the 1/3f who wandered across the track.  

6:40 Kempton - 

Most of these lucky 13 are priced to have no real chance. The betting suggests it is a three-horse race. This trio has received significant entries this season (once again detailing the worth of this information). 

* Imperial Charm is held in some regard by connections. One of nine two-year-olds to be noted by the stable. This daughter of Dubawi has done nothing wrong in two starts to date. Beaten half a length on debut where the form has been franked. Then made favourite against another noted Group Horse Sunday Star, who is a very nice horse for Ed Walker. I can imagine connections and punters alike were surprised she was put in her place by that many lengths. However, I think it just turned out to be a tough race. A wide draw isn't ideal on this turning course. They may try to get to the rail. You certainly wouldn't want to be caught wide. Most of the field look limited so the draw shouldn't be a problem but it doesn't mean to say it won't. [Non-runner]

Another filly to have shown a level of ability is Desirous. Ralph Beckett's daughter of Kingman was fancied on debut but disappointed. She was supported next start at Kempton but had no answer to the very attractive Dandhu (a big, strong filly who catches the eye). Last time out at Newmarket, this March foal lost by a head when her jockey dropped his reins, although didn't lack for effort in the closing stages when nabbed in the dying strides. Another horse with a high draw, but inside of Imperial Charm. A nice horse who looks straightforward and could lead. 

Pennywhistle has the burden of a win penalty which makes life harder, especially against these two winners in waiting. She has received a couple of significant entries this season for John Gosden. She ran well over course and distance on debut. Then ''pushed out'' to win in a small field second start. A disappointing effort in the Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3). She was quite fancied that day and far from an outsider so worth noting and ''eased'' when beaten. A better draw and another who could well head for the rails. 

Conclusion: This should be out of the three unless something of a surprise. I haven't told you much you didn't know. None of these look great value to me. So unless something drifts markedly in the betting I would sit and watch unless you have an each-way double. 

Desirous 4/6f 1st
Pennywhistle 100/30 3rd

Note: Desirous gave odds-on backers a fright but scrambled hope for a win. Pennywhistle put up a bold front-running show but tired in the closing stages but ran well in defeat under a penalty. 

* NR

Tuesday's 2yo Update

A quiet couple of days. Let's see what we have going on today. 

2:00 Lingfield - 

Mark Johnston's French Twist has been noted for a recent Listed race. Ran fair on both starts to date and stepping up in trip. Interesting to see how this one goes at 12/1. 

2:10 Redcar - 

Karl Burke has his team in good order and Harperelle ran well after a lengthy absence in second place to Blame Roberta who went on to win next start. This a restricted race type and this daughter of Burwaaz has set a decent level for this grade. 

Usain Boat hasn't been seen for about three months. This gelding has always been well regarded in the stable winning second start and a distant second in the Woodcote Stakes. Disappointed at Hamilton on testing going. These win penalties take some defying. A slight concern about being off course for such a long time. I would keep an eye on the betting. If strongly fancied would give greater hope but it would have to be a watching brief. 

Big Ace is a fair juvenile and kept busy with nine starts to date. One win and runner-up on three starts. Once again, has to defy a win penalty. 

Conclusion: Harperelle is in good form and her form is decent for this grade. Ran a solid race against Blame Roberta. Should take the beating but little value around even money. Usain Boat is a capable horse at best but that last run was disappointing and after being off course for such a long time you have to worry about issues or coming back unfit. Big Ace is fair but like Usain Boat has to defy a win penalty, which is easy. 

Wednesday 2YO Racing Tips

1:40 Hamilton - 

Quite a restricted race type which favours horses with race experience. Usain Bolt ran well on debut over five furlongs as if needing the run and most likely an extra furlong. He won next start when stepping up to six furlongs at Newmarket. Then dipping his toe into a tough Woodcote Stakes at Epsom. This son of Casamento was no challenger to the easy winner but plugged on to take second place. Has to defy a win penalty and dropping back to the minimum trip. Hamilton is a stiff course, and he may not be found wanting for pace, but it could be the case he is. Not sure if I would jump in at short odds because if outpaced mid race will be much bigger odds on the exchanges. 

2:10 Hamilton - 

Kevin Ryan is a calculated trainer and not one to give significant entries for the fun of it. Sense Of Belonging started his racing career in a valuable Maiden Stakes over 6f at York. He ran on well, after taking a keen hold, and finished third. This is the only juvenile Ryan has given a Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) entry. Unless there is a real surprise package, should be hard to beat at odds-on. 

2:30 Royal Ascot - 

Highlight of the day the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2).

Thursday 2YO Update

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.

Tuesday's Racing Update (1st May)

Five two-year-old races for Tuesday. Still a lot of testing going which has been a factor all season. 

I will detail the horses with significant entries.

2:00 Nottingham - 

Fillies' Novice stakes over 5f 8y on soft going. 

Just the one entry here being Richard Hannon's Spell. This Irish-bred daughter of Slade Power is worth noting. 

NR: Spell

2:10 Yarmouth - 

A Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) over 5f 42y on good to soft going,

George Scott's Usain Boat didn't cost a fortune at the yearling sales [23,000 euros]. However, this Irish-bred of Casamento has been noted by the trainer. A good jockey booking, too. Hard Forest is one of a few juveniles given a significant entry by Mark Johnston. This daughter of Hard Spun is the only filly in the line up but a horse with plenty of pace. The drying ground may be in her favour. To be fair, she has looked a slightly short runner on both starts but her experience will most likely see her lead. If running to the line - or gaining an easy lead - should go close. From a statistical point of view Artair is interesting. Michael Bell doesn't have many early two-year-olds and this colt was fancied on debut at Windsor. He was held up but made smooth headway (touched short prices in-running) before being outpointed in the final furlong by Blown by Wind, who is a fair horse. This looks a competitive little field. Intriguing race. 

Conclusion: Hard Forest is a fair juvenile and most blast clear of the field and hope to hold on. Artair doesn't have any entries but on stats has pretty strong claims. Usain Boat could be the surprise package.  

1st Artair 11/10f
2nd Usain Boat 9/2 

2:20 Brighton - 

A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f 60y on good to soft going. 

No horses with significant entries. 

5:45 Kempton - 

A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on standard going. 

Ten two-year-olds take part. It's The Only Way ran out a tidy winner on debut and a good-looking colt. Has to give away weight with a penalty. Wolf Hunter has been given a significant entry by Richard Hughes but showed nothing on debut. Best watched. Sylvester Kirk's Wolstonbury was noted by the trainer and run in a hot Newbury maiden.This son of Kodiac showed an element of ability before the three leaders left the rest standing. Probably capable of better but need to show more. Quite interested in Michael Bell's Brelade's Bay. This daughter of Footstepsinthesand cost £20,000 at the breeze-up sales. Well drawn in stall two. Interesting. Tom Clover had a winning debutante at Windsor and a capable trainer. Rajy is a bay daughter of Society Rock and £19,00 yearling purchase. The fact she was given a significant entry speaks well. A horse that may slip under the radar. A wide draw isn't ideal. 

Conclusion: It's The Only Way should go well even with a penalty. Brelade's Bay is definitely of interest and I can see her running well. Rajy is another worth noting for the future. A wide draw makes life difficult. 

1st It's The Only Way 11/10f
2nd Um Shama 16/1 
3rd Dolly Dupree 25/1

6:15 Kempton - 

An EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes over 5fon standard going.

A couple of significant entrants here with the once-raced Chynna and Ed Walker's On the Stage. The former ran well on debut at Newmarket. The form of that race has been franked although not the easiest to make sense. On The Stage is a home bred daughter of Swiss Spirit in the familiar silks of Lordship Stud. 

1st On The Stage 3/1 
2nd Thegreytrain 80/1
3rd Chynna 9/4