Thankfully I survived the 16-raced onslaught. I must admit I didn't look at the nursery races. A few of the races went well. One or two close calls.
Today is much quieter with just three two-year-old races - two Stakes, while the other, a nursery, will not be assessed.
5:45 Chelmsford -
Hugo Palmer has Red October racing here. This chestnut colt is a son of Dawn Approach. He has finished second on both starts to date and been fancied to go well. Ran well on debut at Salisbury behind a fair type in Jersey Wonder. Wasn't disgraced at Kempton when stepping up in class by grade. Was no match for the winner but showed enough to hold claims here.
Wave Walker was backed and ran well for Sylvester Kirk on debut. However, since then, this son of Footstepsinthesand has disappointed. Looked lacklustre second start, then ran ok at Salisbury when leading for much of the race until tiring into sixth. A low draw may entice connections to lead. On something of a recovery mission.
Red October 54/f 1st
Wave Walker 8/1 6th
Note: Red October led and won. Wave Walker was backed from 16/1 - 8/1 but doesn't seem out of form in 6th.
A good few two-year-old races today.
1:30 Nottingham:
Summer Blossom
Has been a model of consistency but has always found one or two too good.
Exalted Angel
This son of Dark Angel cost 150,000 euros at the yearling sales. Burke can win with his debutants. Most hold fair each-way claims when priced 10/1 & less SP. * Has been seriously backed from 14/1 on Betfair to 7/2 with bookmakers at present.
Summer Blossom 7/1 2nd
Exalted Angel 4/1 3rd
1:40 Salisbury:
Dawn Treader
Just a Class 2 entry which suggests not one of the better Richard Hannon juveniles. Not too fancied in the betting on both starts to date but ran out a respectable second last time at Sandown.
Dawn Trader 4/1 Unp
2:10 Salisbury:
Babbo's Boy
Interesting to see Michael Bell's debutante has been given a significant entry. This Irish-bred son of Mastercraftsman is out of a debut-winning mare who raced a pattern class. This bay colt cost 110,000 guineas. Looks well found in the market. Running over a mile gives debutantes time to find their feet but they can be hit and miss.
Wave Walker
One of just four horses entered by Sylvester Kirk. He is a good judge. This chestnut colt ran well on debut when seriously backed. The form of that race looks fair although that was only an auction race. The statistics second start suggested a big run but that was far from the truth with a lacklustre display. I can't help think that was a disappointment and much better could be seen today. Kirk does well at Salisbury, as does J C Smith. Interesting to see how he goes.
Wave Walker 9/1 5th
Babbo's Boy 10/1 7th