2:10 Ayr
Man Of The Match was very well backed to make a winning debut and ran out a fair second to the capable Azrael trained by Alan McCabe. This breeze-up purchase of 135,000gns is one of the more expensive two-year-olds Bailey has trained and was fit and ready for his first start. Man Of The Match sets the standard and will run a big race. The main contender is Red Riverman trained by William Haggis. This attractive gelding was backed at big prices that day and ran on well without being pressed. This extra furlong will be much more to his liking and Haggis has very good statistics with his two-year-olds on their second start. The Newmarket race which he raced on debut has taken a few knocks since but this son of Haafhd could give Man Of The Match a stiff test and could well have a bright future. A battle of the two - and not easy to pick between them.
3:00 Brighton
Not too many of these will get involved here and most likely out of Profondo Rosso and Enabling with a word or two about U A E Storm.
Profondo Rosso ran with encouragement on debut but didn't have much go right at Chester with the eventual winner gaining an easy lead. Stoute's two-year-olds are in good form and he has impressive statistics at Brighton. A strong sort, this extended 7f on better ground will help and as his odds-on price signifies, a leading chance.
Enabling may have a stiff task against the favourite but isn't without a hope. This bay colt travelled well at Leicester in what may turn out to be a decent race. This extended 7f could well bring about further improvement and the Hannon team remain in good form. A fair each-way bet although it is questionable whether this youngster has the class to beat Profondo Rosso.
The rest of the field will need to find a good deal of improvement.
U A E Storm may have a glimmer of hope and Simcock has a good win rate at the course. This American-bred ran well on debut but then seemed to regress on his second start. It may simply be the case he ran his race at Leicester in what tuned out to be a decent auction event. This colt by Bluegrass Cat doesn't have the most fluent running actions and at best looks an out and out galloper. It will be interesting to see if his Leicester running was all wrong, however, there are a few question marks regarding this two-year-old and the first and second favourite are brighter prospects.
Today's races:
2:10 Ayr
2:20 Catterick
2:30 Brighton
3:00 Brighton