Four two-year-old races to consider. I will - for the most part - be detailing the significantly-entered juveniles.
1:55 Beverley -
Carey Street - trained by John Quinn - looked to be well beaten in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. However, he ran out a decent winner at Pontefract. A seven pound penalty will make life more difficult. Looks the type to lead and try to hold on.
2:15 Bath -
A number of significantly entered juveniles and form horses. Lady Wolf is a big price for Rod Millman. He does pretty well at this course and can win at big odds so worthy of some respect even at 33-1. Popping Corks doesn't look overly fancied in the betting but noted by the trainer. Similarly, Richard Hughes Queen Shaahd is one of a few juveniles noted by the ex jockey. The betting suggests form horses are favoured. Karalini was a short price on debut at Windsor. A good-looking filly. The prize on debut looks significant and the form of that race hasn't turned out too bad. In addition, there was a lot to like about John Quinn's Signora Cabello. She is a sturdy-looking filly with some size and strength. The first five beat the rest of the field at Beverley by a fair distance. She will improve for that debut and should hit the frame. An interesting race in ways with the two form horses and a few debutantes who may have a glimmer of ability at prices.
2:30 Beverley -
A couple of significant entries here with twice-raced Wasntexpectingthat, who hit the frame on debut when contesting the Brocklesby. Richard Fahey's charge looked to have a great opportunity on his second start at Thirsk. However, the champagne corks were popping from halfway when Vintage Krug blasted clear of the field for Tim Easterby. Wasntexpectingthat is a professional horse and the type to run his race. The form of the Brocklesby has been franked so this looks within his compass if not being vulnerable to a smarter type. Tom Dascombe has been giving a few two-year-olds entries for the Lily Agnes Stakes which takes place this week at Chester. Five Helmets is one of five juveniles entered for the Lily Agnes. He is taking this route, which is probably a blessing. One of the more interesting horses here. Big Ace doesn't have any significant entries at present but ran well at Pontefract on debut from a wide draw and ran wide most of the way.
4:00 Bath -
Ginger Nut has been relatively fancied on both starts to date. She definitely went a stride too fast last time out at Salisbury in the testing ground. This going will be more suiting and I would expect a bold show. If drifting to each-way prices must show more today. Five Amarones has been given a couple of entries from Tom Dascombe. This bay colt was fancied on debut at Pontefract but not best away. He ran on well and will improve. Should figure. Richard Hughes has another entered juvenile making his debut. Swiss Pride is worth noting although the trainer is difficult to asses at times. Clevedon ran in the Brocklesby but achieved little.
Conclusion: Ginger Nut and Five Amerones look decent prospects and unless Swiss Pride is better than not should fight it out.
Another quick update. A couple of two-year-old races to take a look at for Saturday. This time of the season the significant entries are pretty thin on the ground but still worthy of note.
1:55 Thirsk -
A Maiden Stakes over 5f on soft going. Nine two-year-olds take part. Just the one horse with race experience and significant entry Wasntexpectingthat. Richard Fahey has started the season with verve. Certainly, a few winners have gone in. Sabre looked impressive at Newcastle. Mr Buttons was the stable's first juvenile success. A class trainer who is able to ready debutantes like no other.
Wasntexpectingthat ran well when making his debut in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. In the ownership of the Good, Bad, Ugly and Deaf syndicate (sounds like a fun crowd) this son of Foxwedge cost 28,000G at the yearling sales. He was pretty fancied at 7/2. This bay colt wasn't best from the stalls and made good progress throughout the race to be the closest at the line. He finished third, beaten by a couple of lengths. The form of the race has been franked by the winner [Izzer] and fourth [Lihou] and eighth [Arthur's Spirt] who, to be fair, disappointed on debut. Fahey should have this colt primed and the ground shouldn't pose a problem. Personally, I wouldn't be betting at even money because you just never know who is in opposition.
5:10 Nottingham -
A Novice Stakes on soft going. Just four horses so not too much going on here.
Richard Hannon hasn't hit the winner mark with his juveniles this season. He has had a few runners at short odds but only a matter of time before one hits the mark.
Hua Hin is just one of two horses noted by the stable so far. Dixieland was fancied on debut at Kempton but had little chance after being badly hampered. It will be interesting to see how this chestnut goes. This son of Dandyman cost 70,000 Euros at the yearling sales.He has a tongue tie for this first start. I will be taking a watching brief.
From a statistical point of view Majestic Appeal has claims. He showed little on debut and would have need to have disappointed to hold any hope today. Horses disappoint on debut all too often so Karl Burke's charge could be seen to better effect.
Step Hollinshead's Tizwotitiz wasn't fancied in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes and finished 7th. More is needed.
Mark Johnston has been a little bit hit and miss with his two-year-olds this time of year. It isn't a surprise as they can be a touch unreliable. Blown By Wind looked a decent type when stretching clear at Windsor. Delft Dancer has no significant entries at present but fancied in the betting.
This looks a trappy affair on testing ground.
4:10 Musselburgh (31st March)
Just a quick note regarding a couple of debutantes in this four-runner race. Probably nothing to get too excited about here although worth noting that Richard Fahey and Mark Johnston field a two-year-old that was originally earmarked for the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes.
I Am A Dreamer was the sole Brocklesby entrant for Kingsley House Stables, which I would take as being significant. This son of Dream Ahead races in the ownership of M Doyle and 62,000G yearling purchase. The stable have had a couple of two-year-olds start short odds so far but no winners as yet. This February foal is priced 6/4 on the tissue market.
As detailed, Bengali Spirit was one of three juveniles entered for the Brocklesby Stakes. Their sole runner Wasntexpectingthat was fancied at 7/2 and ran on to finish third place. With the stable having three entrants you have to consider how they fare to one another. In general, the Brocklesby entry is a fair sign of ability for Fahey. This British-bred son of Garswood [pictured] cost 24,000 euros at the yearling sales.
Both worthy of watching today and for the future.
NR: The Great Heir