Tuesday's 2YO Update (30th April)

Monday detailed a couple of debut winners. 

Strive For Glory won on the line for Robert Cowell. It looked a poor race with the second favourite a non-runner and odds-on favourite stuck behind a wall of horses. It's all good for Group Horse but I must admit I didn't fancy the horse to win as the trainer has a poor strike rate with debutantes. I feel it won by circumstance. However, most winners are about circumstance. 

At Windsor, Emten won well for Jamie Osborne and the Melbourne 10 Racing syndicate. There is little doubt the stable fancied this two-year-old to go well. The betting was a little misleading as this good-looking filly was on the edge of a betting guide which suggested a big run. She won pretty easily. It's a good sign when Osbourne's juveniles win on debut and I can imagine she will be heading to Royal Ascot. 

Tuesday

Three two-year-old races on the day. Just a quick look to detail the significantly entered juveniles. 

1:30 Nottingham - 

Just the sole significant entry going. Richard Hannon's two-year-olds are never the easiest to assess and a few fancied of late have looked in need of the experience. Beignet is quite a well-bred filly being sired by Canford Cliffs and out of a decent mare in Cake, who did well for the stable winning on her first two starts and far from disgraced when fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) beaten less than two lengths. Beignet ran well on debut at Brighton, but couldn't hold the late charge of Paul Cole's winner. This drop back to 5f will help and that race brings valuable experience. Cole's victor is probably a fair juvenile with size and scope so I can see the form of the first two holding up. A few debutantes are in opposition, and if they are fancied in the betting could, from a statistical point of view, put down a challenge. I would take a watching brief but expect Beignet to run a sound race. 

2:25 Brighton - 

Another Hannon two-year-old with form. Audio is the only significantly-entered juvenile in this race. This son of Equiano cost 24,000 guineas at the yearling sales. His debut effort was difficult to assess in ways. Electric Ladyland won carrying a penalty, while Saeed bin Suroor's favourite Dark Of Night fluffed his lines with a slow start. Audio wasn't overly fancied in the betting, which may suggest he was in need of the run. Also, he was racing wide for the whole trip which couldn't have helped his cause. Audio should go well in this restricted race type although it is difficult to assess that first start. 

2:45 Yarmouth - 

A couple of significantly-entered juveniles here. Mark Johnston's Don't Joke is expected to improve for his first start. He was fancied to go well on debut at Bath but could never get to grips with the pace of Zulu Zander, who was carrying a penalty, for an easy win at Leicester the time before. It was a fair debut if not a little bit tricky to assess. I imagine the experience will be a plus and this better ground may be more to his liking. 

The other entered juveniles is Robert Cowell's Taste The Nectar. The stable had a winner on Monday when Strive For Glory won at Newcastle. This American-bred daughter of More Than Ready cost $65,000 when purchased at the Keeneland yearling sales. It is positive that this filly holds an entry of some note. However, the stable have a poor strike rate with their two-year-old debutantes which doesn't bolster confidence. I would have to take a watching brief of this filly but hope she goes well. 

Jeremy Noseda's Fleeting Princess doesn't have any entries at this time but could prove the biggest danger. If priced 11/4 and less SP could take some beating.  

Sunday's 2YO Update

Another day of great information detailed on Saturday. 

A few races to review:

2:00 Goodwood - 

Richard Hannon has a vast string of two-year-olds. I get the feeling Al Wafi has been a touch disappointing. This son of Helmet was backed on debut but never figured at Lingfield. Clearly, the trip was too short. This bay colt showed improvement next time out when stepping up to 7f. Connections gave this juvenile an entry for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) but that looks a misjudgment. However, the stable is trying to find the key to improvement and this distance over one mile may bring further hope. Not without a hope. 

3:25 Yarmouth - 

Racing on the Norfolk coast. Brian Meehan hasn't really hit the high notes this season with his two-year-olds. That factor shows in the limited number which has been given significant entries. No Way Hose is just one of five horses worthy of note in the stable. He managed to win the third start after two creditable finishes at headquarters. His victory over Shorter Skirt was a fair effort. A win penalty will make life harder, especially if one of the newcomers has a level of ability. 

The first of the debutantes worthy of note is William Haggas' Mubtasimah. This bay daughter of Dark Angel cost 160,000 euros at the yearling sales (65,000 Guinea foal). Now in the ownership of Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum. Interesting to note this is the only filly Haggas has entered for the Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1). He does well at Yarmouth and looks well found in the betting. Debutantes are difficult to assess and trainers rarely want to give them a hard race. Definitely one of the major hopes. 

Jeremy Noseda isn't having a vintage year with his two-year-olds. That point alone brings a few question marks and may limit the ability of Quasar. However, even a relatively poor string can unveil a talent and reason why this American-bred son of Orb is worthy of some interest. The owner, Marc Keller, is no stranger to very talented horses which adds to significance. This breeze-up purchase cost $250,000 (actually bought by the owner). A Rockfell Stakes (Group 2) entry gives further hope. The stable can ready a juvenile to win on its racecourse bow. The betting is the best sign here. Very few of the stable's debutantes win when priced over 8/1. 

Conclusion: An intriguing race. No Way Hose sets a decent standard - fit and ready to roll. The weight penalty is the issue. It seems hard work for winners to defy these penalties. Whether a winner or not depends on the quality of the debutantes. I'm confident Mubtasimah has the ability to win this season. If touching each-way odds could be a decent bet. It's difficult to know what to think about Quasar. The lack of quality two-year-olds in the stable may indicate a lesser juvenile. However, he was a relatively costly buy, well owned and a good jockey booking. If priced 8/1 & less, I would give this horse the benefit of the doubt. 

Wednesday's 2YO Racing Tips (13th June)

2:40 Haydock - 

New Winds, trained by Mark Johnston, ran out a decent winner on debut, a race where the form has been franked. He missed the Woodcote Stakes to go to Doncaster but trailed home last. Whether the soft ground was an issue or he went a stride too fast for conditions, only time will tell. Connections will be hoping his daughter of New Approach can get back to the winner's enclosure.  

3:00 Yarmouth - 

Course and distance winner Artair comes back to the Norfolk coast with a winner's penalty but high hopes of making his presence felt. He come unstuck when stepped up to Listed class when competing in the National Stakes. Spencer led that day, and it was a stiff task against a decent field. This drop in class will help connections see where this colt is at. 

6:30 Hamilton - 

A restricted auction stakes. Diviner won second start and has to defy a penalty. 

Thursday's 2yo Racing Tips

A very busy day with seven races so I'm not going crazy writing a long post. 

2:10 Ripon - 

Eyelool was fancied on debut but an awkward start saw him playing catch up for the rest of the race. The form looks decent enough. William Haggas must fancy this to go well. It doesn't look the strongest race. 

2:20 Yarmouth - 

Blonde Warrior must take some beating for Hugo Palmer. As present, this horse has no entries. The sole entrant is First Thought. He wasn't overly fancied on debut at York and finished down the field. It is something of a positive starting at this Grade 1 course so may have some hope of ability. It would give more confidence if backed. 

2:30 Haydock -

No entries.

3:00 Haydock - 

No entries.

5:55 Sandown - 

Looks a competitive heat. Mersey has been given one entry. 

6:05 Carlisle -

Another trappy affair. A few of these have shown form. Iain Jardine doesn't have too many talented two-year-olds but Samantha James ran well on debut; a race where the form looks solid. Interesting to note that Karl Burke's Little Kim was considered for the Hilary Needler Stakes at Beverley. This must be a sign of ability. A relatively wide draw and being a debutante are slight concerns. If drifting to speculative odd may be worth an each-way bet. This looks a tricky race to me and pretty competitive to be fair. 

6:40 Carlisle - 

Gingersdunthelot has been highly tried but looks to fall flat after three fast furlongs. Best watched.

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