Monday 3 August 2009

6:45 Carlisle (3rd August)

A restricted auction race over 5f(193y).

This doesn't look much of a race and a few of these need excuses for poor efforts on their last starts.

Saint Sebastian was fancied to run a race at Beverley but after showing speed faded tamely and isn't the easiest of juveniles to assess. His second at Leicester seemed on the face of it to be a fair effort but being a small race it is possible that it didn't set the highest of levels. This extended 5f and softer ground could bring about an improved performance. McMahon does well with his juveniles and if he disappointed at Beverley will take all the beating here. That is the dilemma. If he is ever likely to win a race this will be the one although I would rather watch and learn today.

It will be interesting to see if Jozafeen can run any better here as Bastiman's filly was backed on her Ripon debut but failed to show any ability.

Of the unraced, Mr Grinch is worth a mention as Dods does well with his youngsters especially on soft ground. He is the kind of trainer to have a chance at a price and a race of this nature will not take much winning.

A tricky race with lots of questions to answer for most of these. None have shown anything beyond a limited standard and I wouldn't like to imagine who will prevail. Saint Sebastian is the most interesting of the runners for me.

A watching race.

Destinys Dancer (NR)

Race review: 'An interesting race with a collection of average juveniles, disappointments and a few unraced. Mr Grinch continues a good season for Dods. The big plus with this talented trainer is that he can win on debut and this sturdy two-year-old ran on well and then held a strong challenge from Bastiman's Jozafeen, who was clearly considered capable of betting when disappointing at Ripon. This was a two-horse race with a furlong or so to go and Coolella trundled home for third. Saint Sebastian may have been flattered by his seemingly fair effort at Leicester but clearly has a limited level of ability.'