Friday 5 November 2010

Friday's Thoughts

1:00 Southwell
With proven form at Southwell Makeynn should run well. This half-brother to Iffraaj had put in two sterling efforts before somewhat disappointing at Epsom on very testing ground. The form of that race is holding up well and Saeed Bin Suroor has a 50% win rate with his two-year-olds at this course over the last five seasons, which all bode well.

1:30 Southwell
Encore Une Anee is progressing with racing and likely to go well today. Beckett's representative finished with real purpose, running on all too late at Doncaster last time, and if anything would appreciate further than a mile. At about even money there doesn't seem too much value with a couple of potentially fair horses in opposition. Raw Spirit is bred in the purple and ran a fair race on debut in testing ground which may not have suited. On form this youngster has something to find with the favourite although it wouldn't be wise to discount a Saeed Bin Suroor horse at this course. Lexington Bay is an attractive colt and showed promise on his debut at Chester. Fahey went to Ascot thereafter for the Chesham Stakes Listed race but disappointed and hasn't been seen since. It is difficult to assess this two-year-old but if back to his best he will be no push over.

5:05 Wolverhampton
A tricky nursery where a few have shown little or look out of form. Forty Proof ran out an easy winner at Bath last time after a number of average performances. Perhaps this colt by Invincible Spirit has finally got his act together, however, I think this favourite is likely to be beaten and may have been flattered at Bath, where the leaders paid the price for a strong pace. Style And Panache is a determined filly and could be the answer.

6:10 Wolverhampton
A maiden over the extended 7f for colts and fillies. Muffraaj looks to have a fair chance from a handy draw (1). This bay colt by Iffraaj was fancied in the betting on debut but showed little ability, probably struggling in the testing ground. Simcock's two-year-old certainly put that poor effort behind him when running a very encouraging race at Leicester on his second start. That was a decent race and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the first five go on to win a race and this fluent runner has strong place claims. An outsider with a fighting chance is Cool Luke, trained by Alan Swinbank. Owner Guy Reed does well with his juvenile and this ones brother, Chardonnay, won at Wolverhampton on his second start over the same distance. At speculative odds this gelding may have place claims.

Today's races:
1:00 Southwell
1:30 Southwell
5:05 Wolverhampton
6:10 Wolverhampton