Monday's 2YO Update

A few two-year-old races for Monday. 

1:35 Ayr - 

Mistress Of Love is interesting for Karl Burke. Spigot Lodge must be pleased to have a few talented juveniles under the ownership of Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd. You may remember that Kadar (one of our 10 Dark Horses) was meant to run over the weekend but was withdrawn under a vet's certificate. Mistress Of Love is an American-bred daughter of Scat Daddy costing $1000,000. These owners don't lack in money and I would be very surprised if this juvenile doesn't win. She has an entry at the Curragh for the Debutante Stakes (Group 2) over 7f. 

1:50 Ripon - 

Richard Fahey's Good Tyne Girl holds claims here. 

7:40 Wolverhampton - 

Richard Hannon has It's The Only Way going here. This Irish-bred son of Lilbourne Lad won his first two starts and carries a big weight which connections try to take the edge off with a 7lb apprentice. Not sure if I would jump in at short odds because these win penalties seem hard to defy. To be fair the opposition doesn't look much. *Wolf Hunter was given a significant entry early season but it looked to be next to worthless. He isn't the worst horse ever but been contesting at plating class and official rating of just 63. 

* NR

Monday's 2YO Racing Update

A few races today. 

Here's a quick rundown. 

1:20 Lingfield - 

No Way Jose is one of few horses Brian Meehan has entered this season. Ran well on both starts and unlucky last time out when stuck behind horses. A recent Lowther Stakes (Group 2) entry adds to confidence. Well drawn.

Charlie Fellows has been relatively quiet this two-year-old season. His two talents are both owned by Highclere Thoroughbreds Racing. Readers may remember Snazzy who has been highly tried after winning well on debut. Sibirica was fancied on debut but disappointed. There was an issue that day. I had my eye on this filly because she was entered for the Hilary Needler but didn't take that route. This daughter of Exceed And Excel was well backed last time out from 50/1 - 20/1. She contested the race finishing behind No Way Jose. This chestnut filly ran on with purpose at Newmarket. Interesting how she copes with this turning course. Perhaps a step up in distance may help. It is possible she will progress from that last start and could show more. 

1:30 Ayr - 

*Magical Wish was placed very well on debut by Richard Hannon. In fact, I suspect connections were very surprised he didn't take the spoils although doing little wrong defeated by short head. Second start saw the other side of the coin when winning by a nose. A win penalty makes live more difficult. the apprentice takes off a valuable 3lb. 

* NR

5:10 Wolverhampton - 

A nursery race. Just the one horse entered being Wolf Hunter. Richard Hughes' charge has shown glimmers of ability even racing at selling class. The hood is fitted for the first time. A 64 rating is pretty low detailing a horse of plating class. Not the easiest of races to assess. 

5:45 Wolverhampton - 

Rockin Roy has been a consistent type. A couple of wins, placed twice and a creditable performance at Royal Ascot when contending the Windsor Castle Listed race. A win penalty will make life harder but the type of horse to hold every chance at 2/5f. 

Robert Cowell's So Hi Speed ran well second start and even traveled to France when behind winning stablemate Pocket Dynamo. This American-bred son of Central Banker disappointed at Chepstow. Interesting to consider if there was an issue that day because it seemed a dismal effort. There is a chance he has regressed. This turning 5f may well suit. He showed good pace on the all-weather at Chelmsford. Has something to prove. The visor has been applied most likely to bring improvement.

6:05 Windsor - 

Across The Sea is interesting. She has been fancied on both starts to date. James Tate doesn't have too many entered juveniles and this daughter of Dubawi looked to have a great chance of winning at Kempton. She looked to hold every hope but tired quickly in the final furlong. She was keen that day and that definitely took its toll. This drop back to the minimum trip may be a good move. Interesting to see if she has enough pace to sit in a handy position. 

6:40 Windsor - 

John Gosden has Kessar running here. Ran well on debut at York when narrowly beaten. Disappointed when dropping in distance at Royal Ascot. The hood has been applied for the first time. Should enjoy this easier task.  

Friday's 2YO Racing Update

Not a great deal of time so I will simple detail the significantly-entered juveniles for Friday's four races. 

2:50 Lingfield - 

An EBF Novice Stakes over 4f 217y on good to firm going. 

Ed Walker has a nice prospect with On The Stage. Interesting that Dark Panther has been noted by the trainer. This Irish-bred son of Dandyman was relatively fancied on debut at Brighton but ran horrendously. A huge price today. Sometimes the worse they look on debut the better they go second start. Needs a leap of faith. 

5:10 Nottingham - 

A Fillies' Novice Median Auction Stakes over 5f 8y on good going. 

No significant entrants. 

5:50 Ripon -

Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on good going. 

Richard Hughes' charge is the only significantly entered two-year-old in this race. Wolf Hunter showed zilch on debut at Bath when trailing home in the mud. This son of Sir Prancealot ruined his chance when returning to Kempton in what looked to be a fairly hot race. He was keen and ran wide on the bend which all but ruined any chance of winning. However, this chestnut colt made eye-catching progress in the closing furlong suggesting he is capable of much better. This juvenile doesn't look the easiest horse to ride and temperamental which is never good news. Could go well but you are taking a gamble whether he settles or not. Slightly off putting.   

6:00 Ascot - 

An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 5f on good to firm going. 

No significantly entered juveniles. 

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