Saturday 4 April 2009

3:45 Newcastle

This novice stakes race sees the quick return of Archers Road who won at Leicester on Thursday. Channon certainly isn't letting the grass grow under his feet and this colt will be asked to concede weight all round and reason why the the apprentice is employed today. It is slightly concerning that he returns to the track so quickly although he looks a professional type and I am hopeful of a big run. By the betting this looks a three-horse race and to be fair it is very unlikely an unraced juvenile will have the class or be precocious enough to figure.

Trade Secret, who was behind Archers Road in the Brocklesby stakes, may find it difficult to catch the Channon juvenile once again. Archers Road looks to have more natural speed. However, Trade Secret is a well-built juvenile with size and scope to improve with racing and he will definitely be running to the line.

To add to the mix we have Out The Ring from Kevin Ryan's stable, in the Fretwell lime silks. I can't help but think connections were surprised they got beaten on debut and this colt certainly ran a creditable race. This juvenile will soon be winning.

Of the others, Lees Anthem & Lily Lenor were both entered to run in the Brocklesby. In addition, I am looking forward to see if Ignatieff has a glimmer of the potential shown by last year's winner, Saxford.

This looks to be a fairly competitive race and I would be surprised if the three favourites don't fight this out.

A watching race.

Race review: 'Archers Road ran a great race and continues to progress. The unlucky horse of the race was Lees Anthem who spectacularly jumped through the rails when challenging the winner in the final furlong. It would have been a close finish and the Teague horse ran a superb race until being worried by bumping into the rails. This Mujahid colt looks a brute of a horse, big, strong and talented. Let's hope this scare hasn't tempered such natural ability. An exciting horse. Trade Secret ran a very similar race to debut when behind Archers Road. He has a bit of a knee bend and may be suited by better going. Munro (jockey) gave this two-year-old a nice ride when realising a win was unlikely and although no super star Trade Secret should have enough ability to win a race. Out The Ring ran his race but he was rather disappointing. The form of his debut has taken a knock or two and this performance makes me wonder if he is enjoying his racing as he held his head rather high and didn't run to the line. Clearly a stakes race is never the easiest of contests, however, this was still a slightly disappointing run.'