2:00 Beverley -
Victory Command has proven a smart colt winning two races from five starts, placed on three other occasions. Mark Johnston has a decent string of juveniles ad this son of War Command enjoyed a step up in distance at Beverley, leading all the way and holding the runner-up even shouldering a penalty. None of these look likely to press this juvenile unless he disappoints.
Take a look at the Group entries and see which trainers have horses you can't afford to miss. Click here to see the dark horses of racing.
1:40 Thirsk -
Iain Jardine's Samantha James ran well on debut when finishing fourth in a pretty hot race at Thirsk. The form of the race has been franked. This daughter of an Australian stallion was quite fancied next start at Carlisle, again over the minimum trip. She finished fifth, beaten three lengths. The winner is heading to Royal Ascot and those in between look fair juveniles. Connections step up in distance to six furlong because she could never quite get to grips with the leaders last time out.
In addition, Evangeline Samos made her debut in the Marygate Listed race at York. This daughter of Foxwedge started slowly and finished down the field. This race will take a lot less winning and relatively fancied in the betting.
3:05 Royal Ascot - Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
A race to enjoy.
6:10 Brighton -
Richard Hannon's horses have been running well of late. Leoube ran disappointing at York on debut after missing the break and had no chance thereafter. This daughter of Kodiac was sent off a 25/1 next start at Windsor. She showed decent pace before tiring into fifth. A fair-looking juvenile. Interesting to see how she goes over six furlong.
6:30 Beverley -
Victory Commander is going for his second win although must defy the win penalty. Interesting to see how she fares with this extended trip. Horses stepping up in distance - after sprints - can be prove to pull.
A long day, so I will quickly detail the significant entries for these races:
2:10 Thirsk -
Interesting to note just one horse entered here being Brian Ellison's Antico Lady. Priced 33/1, the bookies must think this is a tough debut. Ellison is a difficult trainer to assess with debutantes although they can win at big prices. He had Pearl Of Qatar do just that at Beverley at 25/1. Antico Lady is a daughter of Dandy Man and cost 45,000G at the yearling sales. Not sure what to think of the apprentice jockey being on board. It suggests, in ways, they think this filly will need to run. I'm simply detailing her here because she was given a significant entry. Queen Of Burmuda looks a tough nut to crack. Interesting to see what happens. At least with nine runners there are three places for those who want to dabble at speculative each-way odds. You will be hitting and hoping. A big price is the only factor which may entice.
2:45 Thirsk -
Interesting to note that, again, we have two significantly entered juveniles here at big prices. Lady Kinsale was entered for the Lily Agnes but took a different race at Chester. She led for much of the way before tiring into eighth. She has pace to burn and may appreciate this straight course and may well be fitter for that experience. Eric Alston doesn't have many two-year-olds in his string and most are limited. Not impossible but unlikely at 20/1. Oxygenic is the same price for David O'Meara. This daughter of Showcasing was relatively fancied on debut when showing little. She was a big price at Musselburgh in what was a fair race. Interesting that she was entered to run in the two-year-old Listed race at York but didn't take that opportunity. That may be a sign that better is expected.
3:50 Newmarket -
A tough looking race with a few horses with mighty price tags. Just the sole entry at present - although some of these will be going places. New Winds has received an entry from Mark Johnston.
6:20 Doncaster -
Just a quick mention as running out of energy. Arcadian Rocks has been given a significant entry by Mick Channon. Victory Command has been given a couple of entries by Mark Johnston.
A Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on good to firm going.
Nine two-year-olds take part, four with racecourse experience. A restricted race type, which often favours form horses.
Richard Fahey has been firing out runners. Not too unusual, hey. He is a very talented trainer. A number of debutantes keep winning at decent odds which is perplexing in ways. Probably due to having two horses in a race and the outsider winning.
Bengali Spirit has run twice to date. A small field of just three runners at Musselburgh and then this British-bred son of Garswood finished second at Pontefract. The form of that race has been franked to a point. He is one of two horses in this field to have received a significant entry. Although the winner, Carey Street, couldn't defy a 7lb win penalty next start (not easy). Bengali Spirit sets a decent level for this grade but vulnerable to a horse with a touch of ability.
The other horse to receive a pointer is Mark Johnston's Victory Command. The Racing Post has this one priced at 16/1 with Race Bets. That's either a mistake or you will get about £1 each-way. This son of War Comman cost just 6,000G at the yearling sales, which doesn't inspire confidence. Interesting to see how the betting goes. I see the populous have him priced about 4/1.
Ben Haslam is a decent trainer. Blazing Dream showed very good pace on debut at Ripon before dropping back as if someone was hanging on his tail. A big price at 25/1. Will need to be much fitter to sustain that pace to the line.
Bouncing Back, Melgate Magic & Lorton are best watched.
Amy Murphy has sent out a few two-year-olds. The Newbury performer, Thegreatestshowman, looks a fair sort. She has Mazeo Lad making his debut in her silks. A recent £19,000 breeze-up purchase, she will be hoping for a good run and new owners in due course.
Fastman hails from David O'Meara's stable. He is a talented trainer who can win with debutantes. They are a gambling stable, so they find it hard to keep their hands in their pockets if one has been flying up the gallops. This son of Elzaam cost £25,00 at the yearling sales. The betting is the best guide.
Dragon Beat is one of two fillies in the line up. Tony Coyle has Broken Spear, who has been placed on all three starts. It should give him a line to this daughter of Dragon Pulse. The winner that day, Vintage Brut, looks a decent prospect winning by seven lengths. The runner-up wasntexpectingthat won next start and a few in behind have franked the form (although improved on their initial start). The form of Dragon Beat isn't too bad. And, although, she may be vulnerable to a couple of these could hold each-way claims at double-figure odds. Might be worth a small speculative bet.
Conclusion: Bengali Spirit sets a fair level for the limited nature of this race but no world beater. Probably has enough ability to win this unless something pops up. Victory Command hails from a good stable. Mark Johnston's debutantes are either easy winners or poor losers. The significant entry does give hope. The price tag doesn't suggest he is a great prospect. Dragon Beat isn't without a chance. She has to take on the boys but looked professional on debut, showing decent pace and then beaten by better horses. Could hold each-way claims at fair odds.