Harbour to miss Middle Park

Harbour Watch will miss the Emaar Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday week after suffering a slight setback and is unlikely to run again this season.Trainer Richard Hannon will now aim to prepare him for a crack at the Qipco 2000 Guineas, for which he is favourite at a top-priced 8-1. "It's nothing serious. He'll be back, no problem. It's just that we won't have him right for the Middle Park," said the trainer's son and assistant, Richard Hannon jnr. "I would say that will be it for the year and we'll get him ready for the Guineas." Harbour Watch has impressed in winning all his three starts, culminating in an emphatic victory in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in July.

8:15 Wolverhampton - Result

The sole two-year-old race of the day. A restricted Maiden Auction Stakes over 1m 141y. Four horses are worthy of note. Presburg, a gelding by Balmont, was a relatively cheap purchase but a sturdy sort and a straightforward character. He has done Joseph Tuite proud on both starts, nearly springing a surprise on debut when an unlucky loser at 100/1. He ran a sound race at Epsom when second and wasn't hard pressed when the winner went on.

4:30 Wolverhampton - Result

A Maiden Stakes over 5f20y. A selection of colts and fillies with form but all have something to prove. Chillie Billie has been dropped back to 5f after showing good speed at 6f where he has touched big odds on in-running only to falter in the final furlong. The blinkers are employed and drawn next to the rail is likely to try and lead the way.

2:40 Newcastle - Result

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f on good ground. Talk Of The North caught the eye on her last start when finding trouble in running at Lingfield. Hugo Palmer's two-year-old went off a well backed favourite but had little luck when short of room. She finished strongly and was counted as an unlucky loser by many. This daughter of Haafdh drops in distance today. This filly has an element of ability although the form of both starts is only fair and perhaps one to be careful with at shortish odds.

Sholaan ran in what looked to be a weak race at Chester. William Haggis' juvenile was made favourite but never really got competitive after a tardy start. Mcvicar won going away and has quite a lowly official rating, which brings question marks against the form. The third - Sir Trevor - has since won. Many juveniles falter at Chester, not taking to the course, and it just might be the case Sholaan is capable of better over this straight 7f. An interesting runner.

With the majority of the field debutantes, the experience  of the above noted could well give them leading claims. However, one juvenile which may have place claims on her race course bow is Lady Kashaan. Alan Swinbank is a canny trainer and although many of his juveniles go better on their second start, he can win at the first time of asking. Newcastle is quite a successful hunting ground and I can see this youngster being backed from speculative prices (28/1). Betting on debutantes is never straightforward because inexperience brings many confounding elements. But the plus side is that a big price might just be there for the taking.

Conclusion: Talk Of The North caught the eye last time when having no luck in running but there looks little value at the price. Sholaan could be a dark horse because I can't believe more wasn't expected last time. This straight 7f could see an improved performance although you have to take a chance at relatively short odds which tempers enthusiasm. Lady Kashaan is worth a speculative punt at fancy prices but may be more of a place candidate. 


HCE: ''The first two went a long way clear of the field and the unfancied Saeed Bin Suroor debutante, Al Saham, held the edge over Sholaan, who ran much better today although looked awkward in the last furlong. Talk Of The North took third. Lady Kashaan was up with the pace but faded from halfway and probably needed the race.''

2:40 Ayr - Result

A restricted Maiden Auction Stakes over 6f on soft ground. I don't have the strongest opinion on this contest bar one horse from a statistical point and why it may pay to review HCE Stat Bets. Mistress Of Rome sets the standard after three placed efforts. To all purposes this is a drop in class. However, this daughter of Holy Roman Emperor is limited and her chance is very much dependent on whether any of the opposition have a glimmer of ability. At the price, on very testing conditions, I would rather take a watching brief with her.

Affiliate Programs: Selling Ice Cubes To Eskimos

Selling ice cubes to Eskimos. Inuits - being politically correct.That's how it feels. You may have guessed what I am talking about? (The picture was a help!) Affiliate marketing programs. Clearly, a subject close to many a blogger's heart. Bookmakers. Exchanges. I even saw someone trying to sell women's fashion! Those ads pop up like mushrooms. Everywhere. To be fair, I'm not against anyone making a few bob. Good luck: that's what I say. For the effort it takes to update a blog/website on a regular basis people deserve a return. It can be a thankless task this blogging lark. Very few last the test of time. Bloggers statistically die young. I mean, their blogs die young. That's it. Yes.

2:20 Ffos Las - Result

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f on soft ground. This looks a pretty moderate contest. Sheer Vanity ran with promise on debut after a slow start. In an exciting three-way finish, this daughter of Dixie Union flew home to lose in a photo. On balance, that wasn't the best of races but McMahon's juvenile gave the impression there would be better to come. The stable is in a fine vein of form and this two-year-old will be primed today.

3:35 Newmarket (23rd September)

An EBF Maiden Stakes for colts & one filly over 7f on good to firm ground. A selection of form horses in a field of debutantes. Andrew Balding's two-year-olds have hit form in the last few weeks and Spiritual Star will be primed for a big run today. This bay colt by Soviet Star is a handsome juvenile with a fluent stride. He showed promise on debut at Newbury over 7f, up with the pace, holding every chance until tiring in the final furlong.

6:00 Wolverhampton (22nd September) - Result

A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f 216y.

Ashbina is a progressive filly. This daughter of Royal Applause was fancied on debut but clearly needed the experience. An improved performance came on her second start at Folkestone in a fair maiden. Further progress was seen at Epsom. This is a drop in class. The only concern is that 6f will be on the sharp side although she will run to the line, which is a strength at this level.

2:15 Redcar (21st September) - Result

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f on good to firm ground.
Silver Blaze didn't achieve a great deal on debut - in very testing conditions at Newcastle - but I would expect a much-improved performnace today. This son of Haafhd is an imposing gelding with plenty of size and scope to progress with racing. He is a handsome juvenile, strong through the neck, and I was quite taken by his appearence on debut. Swinbank often sends his better two-year-olds to run at Newcastle and this 21,000gns yearling was backed at the off. Conditions told that day and it was a real slog to get home and after showing some promise mid race, he wasn't overly pressed when his chance had gone.

The Horse Trainer Website Directory

You know, you've all been missing a trick!

You have something under your nose and you still haven't noticed its existence. Mystified? Well, so am I in a way because so few people make use of The Horse Trainer Website Directory. It's FREE. And probably the best source of insider information you are likely to find in a month of Sundays. Don't take my word for it, see what the trainers have to say. 

I know updating blogs with links can seem like a hassle when there is always something else to do but this is one link you cannot afford to miss. Add this link to your blog/website today because it's a valuable tool for all your readers. This is a vital portal to 100's of trainer websites/blogs/Twitter links. There waiting to open the door to your specific trainer's thoughts. I use it regularly when I am betting to get the inside knowledge. You would be surprised how honest some trainers can be!  Just imagine the time it would take to find these links one by one. I can tell you, it took me weeks to update this list and it sits in cyber space rusting away like a back axle of a Massey Ferguson tractor. 

This is what the blog says:  

The Horse Trainer Website Directory



Whether you are a potential racehorse owner, racing fan or want to hear the latest news straight from the horse's mouth, this websites is a vital portal to 100s of Flat and National Hunt trainer websites. Why BOOKMARK individual sites when you only need one: The Horse Trainer Website Directory


Click on the link below and take a look. Better still, add this link to your blog/website because I can guarantee your readers will thank you.

http://thehorsetrainerwebsitedirectory.blogspot.com/

Note: you will notice on viewing the directory I have added a blog list which features everyone in our community, so I would be most grateful if The Horse Trainer Website Directory could be added to your blog/website. Many thanks.

3:30 Beverley (20th September) - Result

A restricted auction maiden stakes over 5f on good to firm ground. 

Many of these have been placed but that elusive win has evaded all.  

Half A Billion is one of the few who could get his head in front. This gelding by Acclamation is quite a strong, handsome juvenile and in his own way a consistent type. At the start of his career, 5f seemed a little on the sharp side but it may be the key to better fortunes today. He pulled far too hard last time at Thirsk and this minimum trip may help him settle. In a race which will not take much winning he has a good each way chance and should run to the line.

Red Shadow, Economic Crisis & Trust Fund Babe have similar credentials on their running at Ripon. Red Shadow is a speedy type and likely to be up with the pace, while Economic Crisis will be off the bridle, plugging on under pressure. It may be a pointer to all three chances that David Allan has ditched Trust Fund Babe, now taking the ride on Just Like Heaven who was beaten by Half A Billion. On balance, I would have to look elsewhere because the Ripon event may have been a moderate race at best and Just Like Heaven needs an excuse to reverse the form.

At such a lowly level debutantes are worthy of respect simply because they do not need to set the highest level to win. However, on the opposite side of the coin inexperience can be their Achille's heal.

Tarquin catches the eye. Linda Studds does well with the limited number of juveniles she trains. Forevertheoptimist has done well for the stable and Ron Stubbs, chatting on RUK earlier in the year, said they have a few talented juveniles yet to race. Perhaps this son of Excellent Art is one of their leading lights because he is fancied on the betting exchanges. Stubbs can win with her debutantes, although over 5f, against experienced opposition, a tardy start may scupper any hope of victory. An interesting runner but a watching brief.

Paul Hanagan is an interesting jockey booking for Al Dain, trained by Kevin Ryan. The betting is probably the best indicator to her chances. At present, this bay filly is unfancied on the betting exchanges. If substantially backed, she should be respected.

Conclusion: The question to ask for many of these juveniles is 'how many chances can you give a horse?' Half A Billion should go well. Stepping back in trip will help him settle and finish his race. A good each way selection if prices allow. The debutantes are worthy of note. Tarquin could be a leading chance if one of the stable's better juveniles. However, I  have reservations about backing debutantes against experienced opposition, especially over the minimum trip. Al Dain is weak in the betting but Ryan's juveniles often go well if substantially back but another to tread careful with on her racecourse bow. 

HCE: ''A poor race and not many got invloved. A nice win for Ashpan Sam who finished his race, which is key at this level. I noticed that Bechers Brook gave the winner as a selection today and his blog is a good read (click). Half A Billion managed a place but even over this minimum trip failed to settle early, which knocks the finish out of him.''   

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7:30 Wolverhampton (3rd September) - Result

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f 20y.


White Spirit is no world beater, but must have leading claims in a poor race. She isn't the biggest of fillies but quite a lively sort who in ways has been a touch too exuberant to last 6f. Whether this daughter of Invincible Spirit will have the pace over the minimum trip is a matter of opinion but from a low draw she could well lead all the way. 


Gin Twist has plenty of experience and placed on a few occasion but has her limitations. Probably more of an auction horse than a fully blown maiden she always has the knack of finding something too good. That last effort didn't impress, just beating Copper Falls, and I have concerns Dascombe's juvenile is regressing.


With the form horses being pretty moderate, those making their debutes are worthy of note. Relentless Harry comes from George Baker's stable, who rarely win on debut although a few have done better of late. This son of Excellent Art wouldn't need to be anything special to win but the major concern is inexperience on this turning course. If slow away from the stalls, he could have a stiff task catching those with greater experience.


A similar comment can be made for Regal Lady. David Brown is a talented trainer and I would have more faith in his juveniles on debut than most. However, she is an unknown quantity and best watched unless strongly fancied in the betting.


Conclusion: A tricky race. White Spirit would be my idea of the winner although she has been off course for a while and this drop to the minimum distance - although looking a positive - could blunt her pace. From a low draw, she is ideally situated to make a bold show and should run to the line, which has been a problem over 6f. This is a prime opportunity to gain a win over limited/regressive form horses and debutantes who may be at a disadvantage because of inexperience on a turning track.


HCE: 'The form horses showed their limitations by the fact the debutantes could take first and second place. Relentless Harry is a big, grey colt who looked very inexperienced. He won on natural ability and will improve a good deal for this initial start. Regal Lady pipped White Spirit for second. The third, trained by Marco Botti, could never quite get to grips with the leaders and is one to be careful with in future. A moderate race.'  

6:50 Kempton (2nd September) - Result

An EBF Maiden Stakes for colts & one filly over one mile.


A selection of talented juveniles on show.


Pulverize is a good-looking son of Pulpit. A big, strong chestnut colt who is sure to win races this season. A $300,000 purchase, this American bred should enjoy this surface, making the most of a promising debut effort when beaten by Top Offer, one of Roger Charlton's two-year-olds who held in high regard. Richard Hills didn't ask this strapping colt any questions on that initial start, clearly interested in the future rather than the day, but still beating Blank Czech with ease, who has since gone close to winning at Epsom. There are a few talented juveniles in opposition. However, Sir Michael Stoute's representative is the horse to beat.


Kieren Fallon is fighting for every winner in hope of taking the jockeys' title and Validus ran well on debut at Newmarket. The winner has since scraped home in a conditions stakes race and the 5th, Travelling, has won at auction level. This son of Zamindar  is a fluent runner and should appreciate this step up in distance. A slight negative is that Cumani doesn't feature the best win rate with his fancied juvenile on their second start although they have fair place claims. This juvenile will need to improve to challenge Pulverize, but has respectable place claims and fighting chance of a win.


Strictly Silver is an attractive grey colt, who is clearly held in some regard by Alan Bailey. After showing little ability in the Convivial at York, he was well backed to make amends at Warwick. A better effort was seen although he had little answer to the front-running tactics of Pickled Pelican. It could well be the case that the winner, trained by William Haggis, is a fair juvenile, after a couple of seemingly disappointing efforts. In that light, the Warwick race may have been a decent contest and beating Spoke To Carlo & Everlong a mark of a fair/talented juvenile. This step up in distance may benefit and a low draw should be a positive. At speculative odds, this flashy grey may have each way claims although improvement is needed to trouble the favourite. 


Of the debutantes, Almaas should be respected. This American-bred colt by Hard Spun cost $160,000 as a yearling and hails from a stable that can do little wrong at this course. From a large sample, Saeed Bin Suroor has a 42% strike rate, which is about as good a percentage as you are likely to find. However, this doesn't look be your average maiden, where inexperience can be ignored. This juvenile will need to be primed to have any chance of beating the likes of Pulverize, Validus or Strictly Silver. In fact, it would need to be a sparkling performance full stop. Godolphin have a class of horse which makes anything just about possible but I would have to take a watching brief.


Conclusion: Pulverize should take the beating but the odds leave little room for disappointment. However good a juvenile, they always have to prove their worth on the racecourse, which often isn't as straightforward as it may seem. A leading light. Validus showed promise on debut and could well progress with racing and appreciate this step up in distance. A fair each way bet if odds allow, although will have to go some to beat the favourite. Strictly Silver could sneak into a place and makes some appeal at fancy odds. On balance, he needs to improve, although time may tell that Warwick race was a decent contest. From a low draw, he should be in a handy position and run a fair race. Almaas is interesting but would need to be a very talented juvenile to win this race on debut.   

HCE: 'A supreme performance from Validus who powered clear. He must have improved a good deal for his debut and could go on to better things. Pulverize ran on to take second from Almaas, while Strictly Silver deserves respect for setting the pace.'

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2:30 Redcar (1st September) - Result

A restricted Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f on good to soft ground.

A lowly affair.

This is most likely a battle of the form horses - with One Kool Dude and Rougini topping the list. Both have been knocking on the door, deserving of victory, but always finding one too good.

Rougini has plenty of pace but it will be intriguing whether Elliot presses on or employs waiting tactics. She was put in her place by Sonko last time. In fairness, that juvenile is a decent horse at plating class and a battling type, so second wasn't a noteable step backwards. The major problem with this daughter of Bertolini is that she struggles to get the trip. If front running, she is likely to travel well and probably have many of these looking beaten. However, that last 100m seems a long way. I would be tempted to lay this filly in-running at huge odds on and hope she gains an easy lead to be beaten.

One Kool Dude is a capable juvenile. Fahey must be scratching is head wondering how this bonny colt hasn't managed to win. This race is as bad as he has competed and if a win is ever coming his way it should be today. His strength is the fact he runs to the line, which might not be the case for Rougini. Five and six furlongs come alike and this is a fine opportunity. The only fear is that after so many races this son of Iceman may be regressing. On balance, this chestnut colt deserves one more chance.

Of the opposition, the unraced juveniles are unlikely to attain the level of ability set by those mentioned. The only exception may be  Annie Beach. David Barron has done well with his debutantes this season and should be respected when priced 13/2 & less. If heavily backed, a big run could be on the cards.

Conclusion: A poor race. This is probably a match between One Kool Dude and Rougini. Both, however, would be prone to a debutante with ability. On balance, that is unlikely to happen in a race of such a restricted nature. Rougin has pace but her Achille's heel is the fact she struggles to finish with vim or vigour. This Redcar 5f is fast but the slower ground may be against her. I would fear whatever tactics are employed One Kool Dude will hold the aces at the line. The problem with Fahey's juvenile is that price to chance I would rather watch than bet just in case a fair debutante pops up or he throws in a poor run. The only bet for me, would be laying Rougini at huge odds on in-running and hope after looking an easy winner she falters at the finish.

HCE: 'Good to see Rougini winning her first race. She was tiring in the latter stages but had enough of a lead to beat moderate opposition. One Kool Dude was outpaced, ran on with some purpose, but all too late. A stiffer test is needed but needs a restricted race to defy the losing run. Sir Windsorlot took third.'