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.
Just a couple of races at York. I'm actually looking at the races as I write this, using Group Horse 2018.
I say this to show the working practice. It isn't difficult to do this work yourself. I say this not so much to save myself time but for readers to learn and familiarise themselves with the horses.
I know most people don't do this but I can tell you now, you will appreciate a lot more if you do.
3:25 York -
7f Judith Marshall Memorial British EBF Stallions Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Sire/Dam-Restricted) (Class 3) (2yo)
Going: Good to soft
Runners: 10
Significantly entered horses: Ventura Ocean
Analysis: Just the one entrant noted by the trainer. Richard Fahey's Ventura Ocean is a son of Raven's Pass out of an unraced mare. In the familiar silks of Middleham Park Racing. This February foal is a talented juvenile who hasn't done much wrong in four starts. He finished runner-up on his first two starts, then won at Pontefract when stepping up to 7f. More recently, contesting the Tattersall Acomb Stakes (Group 3). He wasn't disgraced in seventh place. A leading chance here. These win penalties make life difficult for even talented juveniles. I must admit, I find them a thorn in the side. The horse to beat but not my idea of a bet simply because I think these penalties are more difficult to defy than realised.
4:30 York -
5½f (5f89y) Sha. Intelligent Ideas That Get Results British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 3) (2yo)
Going: Good to soft
Runners: 10
Significantly entered horses: *Little Legs, Broken Spear, Fastman, Three Card Trick & Baldwin.
Analysis: Being a Class 3 race with respectable prize money a good few of these have significant entries.
I'd take a watching brief.
* NR
A very quick update detailing a few significantly entered juveniles running today.
1:50 Ascot -
Godolphin and Charlie Appleby have an interesting contender here with Ceratonia. This bay daughter of Oasis Dream is well bred and noted as a decent two-year-old.
George Margarson's Model Guest may have her work cut out but isn't without ability. She showed more than her finishing position on debut at Yarmouth. Second start was only a three-horse race but, again, this daughter of Showcasing showed ability. A big price because it's a competitive field.
2:00 Thirsk -
Sosume is noted by Karl Burke as having a fair level of ability. He was a bit ring rusty on debut but finished with a rattle. Has been backed from bigger price to favourite and looks a real chance on this second start.
6:20 Chepstow -
Mick Channon has done well this season with his two-year-olds and I'Letyougonow ran well on debut when a beaten favourite. This step up in distance will help. The stable think a bit of this filly and she should make her mark at this auction class.
7:00 York -
Not bad prize money for this Class 3. Commanding Officer is worth noting for Karl Burke. This son of Poet's Voice looks a good purchase at 34,000 euros for owners Clipper Logistics.
2:10 Chester -
A quick look at these. Marie's Diamond won on debut and competed in the Woodcote Stakes. He led the field for most but paid the price in the final furlong when the wheels fell off. Mark Johnston has given this colt an entry for the Gain Railway Stakes (Group 2), Ireland. Connection will be needing a win here to entertain those lofty thoughts. A win penalty and wide draw will be such a test.
Dark Thunder wasn't disgraced in the Lily Agnes Stakes and that experience round this turning course is valuable.
Tom Dascombe fields stablemate Five Helmets who was entered for the Lily Agnes Stakes but didn't take the engagement. He's an attractive horse but needs to progress.
In addition, Gabriel The Wire has been given a Class 2 entry.
3:30 Bath -
Happy Harmony ran much too fast at Musselburgh and tired in the closing stages. o be fair, Richard Hannon's filly hung on well as it was a good race. If settling better could go well here.
Hannon is represented by Mersey who has run well enough on both starts.
The Greyvtrain has also received entries. Although a speedy sort is exposed and needs a drop in grade or try on the all-weather.
4:40 York -
Decent prize money and few horses with some hope of progressing. Jfoul has run well on debut over course. Looked a fair race and should improve for that first start.
Kevin Ryan does well at this course and Rathbone did little wrong on debut over course and distance. One of three horses entered for the Gain Railways Stakes (Group 2), Ireland. A talented two-year-old.
Pink Flamingo was all the rage on debut but couldn't defy the challenge of Cocoabala who shouldered a win penalty. Comes out pretty quick. Steps up half a furlong although time-wise there may not be too much difference.
6:10 Leicester -
Richard Hannon's Leoube was very slow away on debut at York. Had no chance thereafter. This daughter of Kodiac is a fair-looking type who showed up much better next time at Windsor when big odds. Steps up a furlong.
Not the most conclusive post but very busy and tired.
2:10 Salisbury -
Novice Stakes over 5f on good to firm going.
Four juveniles with racecourse experience and four debutantes.
Two-year-olds with significant entries. High Horse was expected to win on debut but found a decent opponent in Big Boots who was somewhat disappointing next start under a penalty. The other entrant is Well Done Fox. A very expensive yearling at 255,000G. This son of Acclamation was a beaten favourite that day, tiring in the closing furlong. Perhaps he was slightly in need of the run. Both horses should show their worth today.
5:05 York -
An EBF Maiden Stakes. A Class 2 race so all significant entrants on good to firm going. Ten two-year-olds take part - just one with racecourse experience. A couple with multiple entries will be detailed, below.
I Am A Dreamer was entered for the Brocklesby but didn't take that contest but well beaten as even money favourite at Musselburgh and then at Newmarket. Looks to need improvement. Probably more interesting is Charlie Appleby's True Belief. This bay colt is a son of Excelebration out of a once-raced mare. He cost £95,000.
5:45 Newmarket -
Novice Auction Stakes over 6f on good going. Fourteen two-year-olds take part. Just two horses have racecourse experience. Those of most significance include Axel Jacklin trained by Mark Johnston. This bay colt wasn't that fancied on debut, giving the impression this extra furlong would help. Usain Boat ran well on debut at Yarmouth behind easy victor Artair, who looks to be a fair type for Michael bell. George Scott's son of Casamento wasn't best away and just pushed out to take second place. He is another horse who will benefit from this extra yardage and up hill finish.
Horse update:
Kevin Ryan's Commander Han made it third time lucky when winning at Chelmsford today. Readers will note from the entries page, scrolling to Kevin Ryan's Group Entries, that this son of Siyouni has always been held in high regard by connections but disappointed on both two-year-old starts.
There was little disgrace in finishing down the field in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York on debut. A hugely competitive race with prize money over £40,000.
Punters were not happy to see this chestnut colt fail miserably at Redcar when starting even money favourite and making it look hard work from the start before scorching home all too late to finish fourth.
In truth, those formative races were a learning curve and experience is the key to this horse one-year wiser.
Kevin Ryan will be pleased to see a win come his way because I suspect he was quite hopeful on this horse's racecourse bow and almost certain at Redcar.
Today's win over 7f was impressive by lengths won but the odds-on favourite was the only opposition. Whether David Simcock's horse disappointed or just beaten by a class horse is a matter of opinion.
Commander Han doesn't hold any significant three-year-old entries as yet but I'm sure this handler will be assessing his next run under a penalty which will give a truer reflection of what this colt may be able to achieve. Good to see those initial hope have materialised into one win with more to come.