Tuesday 19 April 2011

2:10 Pontefract (19th April) - Result

A fillies' maiden over 5f on good to firm ground.

Eleven juveniles take part, including two with experience, both disappointing on debut.

Quite a mix of trainers from the more fashionable stables associated with two year olds and a few who rarely have a juvenile runner let alone a winner.

Gay Kelleway's Waybuloo went off 3/1 favourite on debut but proved to be a huge disappointment. Perhaps this daughter of Balmont is capable of better? She certainly needs to be to have any hope today. On the plus side, it is interesting to see that Fallon was booked early to ride this filly. Kelleway often goes well with early two year olds and although looking pretty poor on debut it isn't beyond the realms that everything went wrong that day and this relatively cheap purchase has more to offer. After such a lacklustre performance it would be wise to take a watching brief.

Tom Dascombe has started this season much better than last having a couple of winners from three runners. Pyman's Theory is fancied on the exchanges and this £42,000 yearling is one of the more expensive juevniles in this field. Dascombe is an interesting trainer because he is one of very few who has a better strike rate with his fancied debutantes than those second time out (although they are good). This daughter of Exceed And Excel should be respected and is likely to go well.

Another handler who has got off to a superb start is Tim Easterby. He has already had a couple of debutante winners which is all the more impressive when he has, in general, such a poor strike rate with juveniles making their racecourse bow. Easterby, chatting on At The Races, said he has a talented bunch of two year old but, as usual, kept his cards close to his chest. Punchie is relatively fancied in the betting and half-sister to Cocktail Charlie, who won on debut and a talent. I would still have concerns about Easterby's success with his debutantes and although his horses are clearly held in some regard, Punchie may be best watched.

Ebony Clarets has fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less.

Lyricist may have claims if heavily backed although it is something of a negative to note that Phillip Makin was originally booked to ride but now goes to Southwell.

In conclusion, a difficult race to have any strong views. From a statistical point of view Pyman's Theory and Ebony Clarets make most appeal.

HCE: ''Not many were involved at the finish with three of the major fancies battling to the line. Ebony Clarets done well considering she was slow from the stalls and still a few lengths adrift when turning into the home straight. However, Fahey's youngster (who was quite well backed just before the off) ran on well to collar the front-running Always Ends Well. Johnston's, second, ran much better today and after such a poor effort on debut was quite well fancied and typical of the trainer's juveniles made a bold bid and nearly made all. The money horse was Tom Dascombe's Pyman's Theory, who clearly came here with a reputation. Always holding a good position, she had every chance but couldn't ever quite get to grips with the leader or the late finish of Ebony Clarets. All three have look capable.