2YO Update: Mark Johnston's Iffraaz Shines on Debut at Carlisle

It's been a few quiet days since our last update. 

Life isn't as leisurely as it seems with so much work going on behind the scenes. However, as readers, I know you want to learn more about the best two-year-old (2yo) horses in training. I have little doubt you will appreciate the information we detail on these pages does just that. 

Whether I am serene or shouting from the rafters, all the information you need lies within this website.

Let's take a quick look at a few significantly-entered juveniles that have shown ability over the last few days. 

31st May - 

Iffraaz made a smart debut in heavy ground at Carlisle [1:10]. A big drifter in the market from 11/4 - 4/1 didn't stop this son of Iffraaj from winning comfortably by two-and-a-quarter lengths. A depleted field of six two-year-olds probably set a decent level with Hurstwood, finishing runner-up, while Declan Carroll's Kilham, who received a Brocklesby Stakes entry early season, weakened into third place after setting the pace. I think both Johnston's and Carroll's juveniles here will be making their presence felt this season. It is very likely Hurstwood will receive a significant entry, too.   

Take a look at the race result here. 

31st May - 

The Woodcote Stakes always fields talented early juveniles and this year was no exception with a small line up but a worthy test. The race featured very good win prize money of £37,350. Which must be on par with Listed races, if not Group class. 

Charlie Appleby has a nice string of two-year-olds (they keep winning) and Pinatubo had scored nicely on debut when clear of the second, who has since franked the form. This son of Shamardal started even-money favourite for this Class 2 Stakes. Hold-up tactics were employed as Misty Grey set the fractions with a bold front-running performance. I wonder if he went a stride too fast! Anyway, Pinatubo ran past Johnston's charge in the closing furlongs, to win, from a fast-finishing Oh Purple Reign. 

Another win for Pinatubo who could be heading for the Coventry Stakes 2019. Check out the betting with you local bookmakers. 

1st June - 

Another Class 2 Stakes race. It's a funny thing how trainers complain about prize money and so often these more valuable prizes feature a poor turnout. No doubt this had something to do with the ground turning to good to soft at Musselburgh. Just three entered juveniles took part. The outsider of three is a maxim often used to find a winner (statistically it is wrong). John Ryan is a canny trainer who knows the score and his entered juveniles on Group Horse are mostly up to winning a race in their two-year-old career. Bill Neigh, a relatively cheap 2yo breeze-up purchase at 27,000 guineas, was backed from 25/1 on the exchanges and returned 7/1 SP with bookmakers. This son of Mustajeeb must have a touch of ability winning by three lengths. Karl Burke's She Looks Like Fun disappointed so, in truth, it was a two-horse race, with My Kinda Day to beat. It will be intriguing to see how Bill Neigh goes next time out. The opportunity is there but still much to prove. 

Always plenty to consider. 

2:10 Nottingham - 

Just one race for Sunday. 

I will take a quick look to see if we have any significantly-entered two-year-olds running. 

Richard Hannon has Beignet taking her chance on this third start. This daughter of Canford Cliffs can run well enough on debut while her second start at Nottingham looked slightly disappointing. The form of that race has been franked with the likes of Lady Fanditha (Clive Cox), Daddies Diva (Rod Millman) & Flippa The Strippa (Charles Hills) all showing ample ability. This fast five-furlongs should be in her favour as she has plenty of pace. Likely to lead. 

The only other significant entry in this race is Charles Hills' Walton Thorns who actually raced in the Brocklesby Stakes. This son of Zebedee was priced 10/1 on debut at Doncaster but failed to show much ability at all finishing second from last [a seventeen-strong field] some 31 lengths behind the winner Show Me Show Me. 

Perhaps that run was too bad to be true. I can only imagine it was. Second start Walton Thorns was made a 66/1 shot, stepping up to 6f. This bay colt was very keen that day but held the lead until tiring rapidly in the final furlong. 

Not the easiest horse to assess and the stable may well be thinking about nursery races rather than trying too hard here. I am interested to see how he goes as there may be a glimmer of hope if some crazy prices are available on the exchanges.  However, it would be a leap of faith and the type of horse to either win or lose miserably. 

Although not receiving a significant entry, as yet, William Haggas' Al Aakif has very good claims if starting favourite. The stable debutantes' details statistics which suggest they either win or finish unplaced. 

Friday's 2yo Entrants (17th May)

Good to hear from a few readers this week. I appreciate people taking the time to give their feedback. I have detailed the entrants, horses of interest and those of statistical merit. Given the time restraint, I cannot give any more information about today's runners. I am sure this will be a pointer. 

I hope this helps.  

Three two-year-old races for Friday:



1:50 York - 

5f Langley's Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)

This Class 2 race so all juveniles are significantly entered. 

Never an easy race to pin down. As I often say, it isn't a good idea to limit a  winning horse and there are a good few going here. 

This isn't the type of race I would bet, preferring lower grade races. If hard pressed, I would side with Lady Kermit, who is very fast and likely to set the pace and could well hold any late challengers. This course should suit and the going should be to her liking. She hasn't raced on the turf, so that is a slight unknown although I don't think it will be a problem. 

One horse who may have a chance at bigger odds is David Evans' Good Vibes. What do I like about this daughter of Due Diligence? She is a good-looking filly, with size and scope to improve. She was pretty keen for a couple of furlongs at Salisbury but still managed to win. May have each-way claims at 14/1. 

I won't be betting on this race as it isn't appealing to me. 


2:45 Newbury - 

6f Starlight Raceday Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 4) (2yo)

Let's take a look at the significantly-entered two-year-olds going here. 

William Haggas has his first significantly-entered two-year-old going here in the shape of Baadirr a 180,000 guinea yearling. 

Richard Hannon is warming up, although winners have been hard to find. Ziggle Pops has received two entries of late, which brings some hope. This Irish-bred son of Zoffany cost 55,000 guineas at the sales. 

Gypsy Rocker is worthy of note. This Irish-bred son of Slade Power cost 38,000 euros as a yearling (cost more as a foal). Interesting this chestnut colt has been entered for two class 2 stakes races. Meehan's juveniles have been few and far between this season although Top Buck ran well in the Lily Agnes and Aroha ran well on Thursday when second at Salisbury. Brian Meehan is an interesting trainer as, strangely, his speculatively-priced debutantes often run better than his fancied horses in the betting. At odds of 25/1, this juvenile isn't without some hope. 

Charlie Hills makes a return with Walton Thorns, who didn't show a great deal in the Brocklesby Stakes. He was relatively fancied that day but showed little. The apprentice onboard may be a sign that there isn't too much expected but time will tell. 

Readers may notice a couple of horses that do not, at this moment, have entries but worthy of note. Light Angel, trained by John Gosden, ran well of debut when a narrow loser. This son of Dark Angel isn't the biggest, but a good-looking grey colt who will take some stopping here. With valuable experience and stats which detail a big run, I would fear this youngster if betting against it. 

Heaven Forfend is the first two-year-old runner for Sir Michael Stoute in the Cheveley Park Stud silks. The betting guide is helpful. About 80% of Stoute's 2yo debutantes win priced 7/1 & less sp. In fact, priced over 9/2, the win stats are pretty poor. However, it is interesting this colt is making his debut at this time, which may indicate Royal Ascot is on the cards. 


5:55 Hamilton - 

Keith Dalgleish has Glasvegas noted as a significant runner here. This bay colt was a narrow loser on debut at Musselburgh. 

Penmellyn ran in a tough race on debut when a long way behind Lady Kermit. That was a Class 2 stakes and this could be easier. That entry may signify more is to come.

Taxiwala doesn't have any significant entries at this time but ran well on debut, a race I think will prove to be decent. From a statistical point of view, this horse is the one to beat. 

As we have said so many times before - you won't find better 2yo info anywhere on the internet.