Sunday 19 July 2009

2:45 Yarmouth (20th July)

A restricted auction race for juveniles with a median price of no more than £15,000.

With the ground conditions in the lap of the gods it may pay to wait and see how the complexion of this races changes with potential non-runners or more rain.

Bradford seems to be making hard work of racing at present and the visor doesn't add to confidence and neither his capable apprentice taking the ride. Burke's juvenile has something to prove and he may well struggle to go the pace as he doesn't look the type to fired-up visor or not.

Syrian has been well supported on the exchanges this evening and Bell is a trainer that demands respect as he can win on debut and has the potential to unveil a decent prospect. The negative is that being in such a restricted race diminishes the chance of ability and his juveniles are often under priced. Experience is the key to these type of races and I think the form horses are most likely to hold the aces.

Universal Circus was a huge price when fourth in a respectable race at Newbury. The front two went clear that day but this juvenile is worth noting in the market, especially if backed.

Astonishment is quite a good-looking horse and the sort that gets on with the race and tries, which is half the battle at this level. The form of his Folkestone race is fair enough and there could be a chance that the Warwick race he contested was a decent event. It isn't easy to appreciate what this juvenile trained by Kirk has achieved although he has certainly proven more than the majority of these. The soft ground is an unknown, but I can see this two-year-old running a big race.

Of the unraced a few trainers are worth noting. Mark Tompkins, Chris Wall and James Eustace have the knack of winning at Yarmouth and could go well at a price.

A restricted race where proven form is a good starting point. Astonishment may not be the greatest talent but is the type to run a race and that could well be the difference between winning and losing here.

1PT EW ASTONISHMENT (AVAILABLE AT 9/1) (2nd)



Race review: 'This turned out to be a three-horse race and each ran well. Syrian was well-backed and ran out a fair winner of this 7f. Bell seemed to be optimistic before the race and they clearly consider this colt a prospect. Astonishment ran his consistent race and was a shade unlucky to find a horse of the winner's ability in an auction event. Kirk's juvenile will be winning soon. Universal Circus ran on well and had third place in the bag from a long way out. All three of these juveniles are capable of better.'