Havana Gold Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) over 5f on good going.
Seven two-year-olds take part: two with racecourse experience.
Hugo Palmer has started this two-year-old season in earnest and Barend Boy ran a cracking race on debut at Leicester. To be fair, this British-bred son of Oasis Dream didn't look like he was going to trouble the leaders when made 9/4f. However, this bay colt really found his stride in the closing furlong and could well have beaten Marie's Diamond if inexperience hadn't proved costly. Palmer has given this youngster an entry for the Lily Agnes but this option looks to have taken preference. With that valuable experience onside, I can see Barend Boy taking some stopping. Should enjoy this stiff finish.
Mark Johnston has been in pretty good form this early season if not quite achieving the dizzy heights of former seasons. Smile A Mile was made an odds-on shot for his debut at Newcastle but failed to shine. This chestnut son of Slade Power must have been expected to do better. A recent entry for the Lily Agnes Stakes adds to those thoughts. A horse on a recovery mission but one that is likely to show more today.
Fly The Nest is trained by Charlie Appleby. This March foal cost 200,000 euros at the yearling sales. The stable won this race last year with a debutante so worthy of respect. Godolphin juveniles often make their presence felt at this course.
A selection of top-class trainers and interesting debutantes.
William Haggas has not had the best start to proceedings with a handful of two-year-olds seen out so far. He managed to find a winner at Yarmouth but a few other prospects have disappointed. He often unleashes a talent at Newmarket although can be a touch unpredictable with debutantes. Fanaar is owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum. This son of Dark Angel cost £240,000 at the yearling sales. Interesting.
Clive Cox is a smart trainer who knows his horses. He can most certainly ready a debutant. He's had a couple of two-year-olds run this season - a winner and runner-up. Conchek is a black son of Lethal Force. He is an 85,000G yearling purchase. The mare, Soar, was a smart horse who raced up to Group 1. She won on debut and finished runner-up on her second start when contesting the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot, going on to win her next two starts at Group 3 and Group 2, respectively. If priced 13/2 & less SP has sound each-way claims.
Andrew Balding is one of my favourite trainers of two-year-olds. Most seem primed to win on their second start but can win of debut if talented. Oloroso is priced 25/1 which suggests this son of Fast Company isn't expected today. He cost 27,000G at the yearling sales.
Richard Hannon fields Coco Cheval, the only filly in the line up. This chestnut daughter of Kyllachy will need to be pretty smart and primed to depose the colts. She cost 57,00 euros at the yearling sales. The mare didn't achieve anything of note.
Conclusion: This looks a competitive race. Smile A Mile needs to find much improvement after disappointing on debut at odds-on. However, the betting that day tells the stable were left scratching their head. A recent Lily Agnes entry details they haven't lost hope. I suspect he will go well. I was impressed by Barend Boy on hos first start. This course - with a stiff finish - looks ideal and I would imagine anything that beats him is decent. If pressed, I would make this horse my tip. Fly The Nest cost a lot of money and hails from a stable who usually send their better prospects to compete at Newmarket. Fanaar is another expensive buy. I do like Haggas' juveniles at Newmarket. They can be difficult to predict and often priced to chance. I wouldn't knock this horse. The betting is the best guide to Conchek. If priced 13/2 & less SP is another who will be coming here with some ambition. I would let the betting settle before jumping in just in case it pinpoints one or two weak links. I would have to take a watching brief with just two places for seven runners. A race which will identify a number of future winners.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f on good to soft going.
Thirteen two-year-old colts take part. Five juveniles with race experience. Plenty of renowned trainers taking an interest in this Plus 10 contest with win prize money a shade over £5,000.
A big old field but plenty of interest.
Roger Charlton fields *Zafferino. This son of Frankel is out of a once-raced mare. This home-bred is owned by Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. He started 8/15f in a four-horse race but couldn't hold the late challenge of Seniority. Zafferino was a touch keen on his racecourse debut but held in high regard by connections. With that initial experience, this February foal should go well and has sound each-way claims.
For more reading material around horse race betting, be sure to check out Bethut's horse racing tips.
Sir Michael Stoute should always be respected in the latter part of the season and he has sent out a few nice two-year-olds over the last few weeks. Elucidation is a homebred racing in the familiar silks of the Niarchos Family. This son of Oasis Dream was the lesser fancied of two horses representing Stoute on debut at Newmarket. Perhaps that was the reason Elucidation was sent off at odds of 16/1. However, he showed ample promise, staying on in the closing stages to finish third. The winner, trained by James Tate, ran on with verve after being fancied to go well at Yarmouth behind the very smart Salsabeel. Law And Order [Tate] had exceptional win and place statistics that day and it was not surprising to me he was a powerhouse. I had my eye on the runner-up. Rummani, who is a talent, which boosts the likelihood of Elucidation. I would keep an eye open for Mandarin, who disappointed that day but was heavily backed and I know for a fact is held in high regard by Marco Botti. Elucidation looks the type to improve for that racecourse bow and has strong each-ways claims if priced 13/2 & less SP.
Adamant is similarly trained, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. This grey colt is a son of Dalakhani who was purchased as a breeze-up purchase by John Warren for 130,000E. The mare, Attima, won three times in her career racing in France and America, winning at Group 2. The best guide to this debutantes chance is the betting. The majority of Stoute's debutantes win when priced 13/2 & less SP. If outside this betting guide I would take a watching brief.
To add to the heat, *Naval Warfare comes here after finishing fourth and second, respectively. This bay colt, a son of Born To Sea, put up a bold front-running performance over seven and a half furlongs at Ffos Las to be worn down in the closing stages by Math's Prize. It was a fair effort to beat Prerogative, who has been a model of consistency. I can see this bay colt leading and should appreciate this softer going.
Luca Cumani doesn't have the biggest string of two-year-olds but a trainer who should always be respected on their second start. It is worth noting that Presence Process races in the second colours forSaleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. This bay colt is a son of Dansili and half-brother to Justineo who race up to Group 1 class. Presence Process was relatively fancied on debut at 10/1 but a long way behind the first three, which included Law And Order. On a form line, he has to find a good few lengths to beat Elucidation. I would take a watching brief unless seriously backed.
Ed Dunlop has a couple of runners both making their racecourse bow. Alemaratalyoum is an Irish-bred son of Lope in the ownership of Mohammed Jaber. He has a couple of fair juveniles with the stable in Apex King & Al Nafoorah. He cost 85,000G. Dunlop's debutantes are best judged by their starting price. They have a fighting chance when priced 14/1 & less SP. If weak in the betting I'd take a watching brief.
The market should detail the chances of Nigh Or Never who is trained by Tom Dascombe. This January foal is a son of Excelebration out of a Galileo mare and cost 100,000E at the yearling sales. Dascombe's juvenile is presently priced at 20/1, which suggests he will be better for the race or the competition is strong enough to make this a test. The stable can win at bigger odds although their brightest prospects are priced 7/1 & less SP. If in that guide should be feared.
I always take a second look at John's juveniles owned by George Strawbridge. They often prove a fair combination. The stable have their share of debut winners, especially if fancied in the betting. Jupiter Light is a son of Lonhro out of a seriously good mare who won on debut and runner-up in the Fillies' Mile. An exceptional filly who achieved a highest OR 113. The betting suggests he will be better for the run but if backed to 13/2 & less SP have respectable each-way claims.
Charles Hill has a few fair juveniles in his string. *Farook hasn't been seen for over two months since finishing behind Apex King. This son of Raven's Pass was relatively fancied in te betting but disappointed. There may have been an issue that day. Hamdan Al Maktoum stuck his hand deep in his pocket to buy this roan colt at the yearling sales for 420,000G. It would be a surprise to see this colt backed. He doesn't hold any significant entries but one for the shortlist is the money comes.
Al Mansor hails from Richard Hannon's stable. I find this stable difficult to assess with their debutantes because they are difficult to call. In general, they are better for their debut. This son of Dark Angel cost 95,000E at the breeze-up sales so should come here with fitness and wisdom.
The stable field Sporting Times who is a home-bred. The betting suggests this youngster is best watched.
Time To See & Quinteo are best watched.
Conclusion: A tough race to be too dogmatic with a handful of horses which have shown promise if no undoubted ability. I was impressed by Elucidation on debut when starting at big odds. The form of that race is solid and any improvement would make this juvenile go very close. Zefferino will have his supporters with the Frankel tag, which probably means he will start little shorter odds than deserved. However, it is difficult to assess the form of that race but Charlton has very good win and place claims with horses fancied on their second start and if difting to each-way prices wouldn't be a bad bet at all. If Adamant is priced 13/2 & less SP it would be significant. Farook cost a lot of money and may have sustained an injury or problem on debut. He could be backed from big odds and may be worth an anticipatory gamble.
*NR
Day two of the 30-Day Challenge. A jubilant start to proceedings with the lovely-looking Marylebone winning for Ed Walker on Monday.
Firstly, I'm not as confident about today's selection but it should go well.
A Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 7f 32y. Nine two-year-olds take part, five with experience. Andrew Balding fields Make Music for her third start. I backed this daughter of Acclamation last time out at decent odds. This bay filly, who was purchased by the trainer for 40,000euros at the yearling sales, looked to struggle for pace and I went from hoping for a place to being irritated that she didn't snatch victory, clawing back the leader in the closing stages to lose by less than one length. The key to her success today could well come from this step up in trip, which is sure to benefit.
I'm pretty sure this March foal races in Andrew Balding's wife's colours so Kingsclere could be celebrating in every sense if lady luck shines. With odds around 11/4 I would prefer an each way price and bet but that looks unlikely to happen unless something is heavily backed. I'd be surprised if this filly is out of the first three. You may get bigger odds in running if you are betting on the exchanges.
Another long day so I won't give an in-depth review. An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f on good to firm going. Ten colts/geldings - no fillies taking the plunge although eligible. A few of these have shown ability: John Splendid, Cymric & Hairdryer. Andrew Balding's two-year-olds haven't been firing on all cylinders especially a number of debutantes who have been backed and run horribly. *Both Sides wasn't overly fancied on debut but ran a respectable enough race when finishing fifth over 7f at Sandown. This son of Lawman is out of a debut-winning mare who was highly tried including a narrow loser in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1), Curragh, Ireland.
The mare was trained by John Gosden racing in the familiar silks of George Strawbridge, this bay colt a sibling and home bred.
The form of that race has been franked and this February foal didn't have the best of races: slowly away, outpaced, then kept on in the final furlong.
With over a month off course it is likely this colt will be primed for his second start. It is encouraging to see Balding has given this horse a stakes race entry. He has been incredibly sparse on such pointers this season - a lot to do with their two-year-olds not showing an abundance of ability. However, I would take this entry as a positive sign which suggests to me they consider he is up to winning a race.
The betting is important here. If backed to a single-figure starting price it would bring more interest. If priced 9/1 & less must have fair each-way claims. If very weak in the betting I'd take a watching brief.
2:45 Ripon - Sign Of The Kodiac [eachway claims] 3rd
6:10 Lingfield - Chief Entertainer [eachway claims if priced 13/2 & less sp] 4th [7/1] outside betting guide
*Both Sides NR
All eyes will be on Andrew Balding's Elm Park this Saturday as Qatar Racing & Kingsclere Racing send their two-year-old bay colt to race at Group 1. This homebred son of Phoenix Reach out of a limited-winning mare has progressed with racing. He may have fluffed his lines on debut at Sandown - but it's been winners all the way since. Kingsclere Racing sold a major share to Qatar Racing after winning readily at Salisbury when competing at Listed class. His most recent [third] victory saw a sterling effort when staying on to win the Judmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 1) when ridden by Andrea Atzeni, racing over one mile. Winner Sport have a great offer for backers of Elm Park to win @ 5/1.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 1m 67y on soft ground. Eleven two-year-olds take part: colts, geldings & solitary filly. Last week I mentioned one of Andrew Balding's juveniles on its second start - which disappointed. Horses win: horses lose. In general, my analysis is correct so we will see if Kingsclere Park House Stable can hit the target this time round. Rocky Rider is a son of top-class stallion Galileo out of a limited-winning mare. This bay colt was purchase by David Redvers Bloodstock for 400,000gns from Tattersall October Sales 2013 (Book 1). The mare has produced a number of exceptionally expensive offspring - no doubt being influenced by Blue Duster, who is on this youngster's page. In the familiar maroon silks of Qatar Racing Ltd, Rocky Rider was quite well backed on debut at Haydock over one mile when fourth behind Lord Ben Stack. Although beaten a good few lengths this juvenile showed promise and is sure to come on first that first start. If priced in single figures hold respectable win and place claims.
An EBF Maiden over 6f 16y on good ground. Nine two-year-olds take part: colts/geldings and one filly, the majority raced. As far as the betting goes this is a four-horse race. Andrew Balding has been quiet with his juveniles this season but they are always worth taking note on their second start. Guiding Light was relatively fancied on debut at Newmarket, where Epithet fairly cruised to victory. This bay colt, a son of Acclamation out of a unraced mare, showed promise on his first start and looks capable of progressing with racing. Thurloe Thoroughbreds have a good eye (Kyllachy) and this horse was purchased by Will Edmeades Bloodstock Ltd for £38,000 from Doncaster Premier Yearlings Sale. The key to this youngsters chances rest on the betting and if priced 9/1 & less sp he has respectable win and place claims.
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 6f on standard going. Seven runners take part all three-year-olds bar Ishisoba who is four. Three colts take on the girls, all from talented trainers. Most have race experience although two debutantes will need to be primed to figure. Pool House has turned a few punter's hair a whiter shade of grey, beaten favourite on his last four starts, twice at odds-on, but conversely never far away. This son of Sahkee's Secret cost £22,000 at the yearling sales out of a French-raced mare. Andrew Balding's colt has been given a winter break and fitness must be taken on trust. However, the Kingsclere Park House Stable only have a small team for the All-Weather and this bay has never looked stuffy in his previous races. Probably the greatest sign that connections mean business is a drop in class. After running in EBF maidens this will be an easier proposition. Pool House is likely to be priced to chance but it will take a fair horse to beat him today.
Taquka has a similar profile although more auction standard than the above mentioned horse. This son of Kodiac must have been showing up well on the gallop, making his racecourse bow odds-on favourite. Inexperienced proved costly that day but this bay colt has suffered narrow losses when runner-up on his last three starts. The mare - Dubai Princess - was a classy type: a multiple winner, Listed-class placed and competed in the Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) at two. Taquka hasn't been seen for just under two-hundred days. This step up to 6f for the first time shouldn't be a problem and the stable must feel they can eke out a little more ability. The betting should tell the story with regard to fitness. The stable have a good win rate at this course and the main threat to the likely favourite.
One of the debutantes - Harboured - hails from Sir Mark Prescott's stable. This American-bred filly sired by Rockport Harbor looks to need much further than this sprint trip and has an engagement to run at Wolverhampton (Friday) over one mile. The stable's debutantes are often sent out needing the run and unless backed as though defeat is out of question is a horse I wouldn't entertain betting. She has claims if priced 13/2 & less but a horse I would lay if priced outside this betting guide.
*Red Primo is best watched unless well backed. The stable's debutantes usually need the run but can be superb bets if well punted.
John Hills has a poor win rate at this course although Joe Fanning has done well from a small sample of rides for the stable. Katja is out of a capable mare and is probably better than we have seen so far. A step up in distance may see further improvement and with an official rating of just 63 may be better placed in handicaps. It may be a negative that she was sent to the sales but withdrawn.
The home bred Why Not Now is not the easiest to assess. Unfancied but running with promise on debut, she showed little, if not disappointed, when relatively fancied at Lingfield last start over 7f. Breeding suggests this drop in distance may leave her struggling for pace. Joey Haynes has done well for the few rides with Roger Charlton.
Ishisoba has to carry an age penalty and yet to taste victory after seventeen starts. With an official rating of just 50 this daughter of Ishiguru may struggle with a couple of fair talents for this grade.
Conclusion: This looks to be out of Pool House and Taquka. The former trained by Andrew Balding will appreciate this drop in class and it would seem connections are intent on changing their luck in this grade. Harboured & Red Primo would have claims if priced 13/2 & less. This looks very unlikely. Katja, Ishisoba & Why Not Now need to improve. Pool House would get the nod but doesn't look much value unless drifting in the betting.
*NR
A Median Maiden Auction Stakes over 1m on standard going. A nine-strong field, and few fair types for this grade, no doubt searching for an easy race to win! Andrew Balding had a respectable season with his juveniles on the turf and Spectator ran well on debut at Brighton when finishing a promising fourth. This son of Passing Glance is a home bred out of a poor winning mare. The form of that first start has been franked and after a slow start this brown colt done well to just about get into contention when not a clear run. With just about a month on the sidelines, this horse owned by Kingsclere Racing Club should be primed for a big effort. Strong each way claims if odds allow. If Lucky Jim is priced 13/2 & less sp, I would be tempted to have a small reverse forecast with the above mentioned.
Poor effort from Spectator, who seemed ring rusty and this turning course compounded an initial lack of pace. Much better was expected and time will tell this was a disappointing run.
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 1 Mile.
Twelve two-year-olds take part, the majority lightly race, two debutantes. Three fillies take on the colts.
Three horses make most appeal.
Spillway, a son of Rail Link, made an eye-catching debut at Kempton when racing over a mile. A relatively cheap purchase at 10,000gns, Eve Johnson Houghton's charge was a 50/1 shot in a similar race type. This bay colt didn't look like being competitive for most of that event but ran down the home straight with real purpose, losing by three lengths and giving the impression there would be further improvement.
A Maiden Staked (Div 1) over 1 mile. Ten juveniles take part, the majority lightly raced, four debutantes, with two fillies against a field of colts. A number of fashionable trainers are represented although most - although showing promise - still have something to prove, if not difficult to assess. Saved By The Bell is most proven of those with form. Brian Meehan's representative, an Irish bred son of Teofilo, was relatively fancied on debut racing over 7f. Little went right that day at Warwick where a slow start all but finished this bay colt's chance. The winner Red Avenger has proven to be a talent. This Michael Buckley-owned two-year-old may have been
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 7f. A sizeable field of thirteen juveniles, a mix of colts and fillies, most lightly races. The most likely protagonists hail from leading trainers while a number of the debutantes - from less fashionable yards - will struggle to be competitive. Running Bull, Two No Bids, Balatina & Hannah's Turn are best watched. Martial Art, trained by Andrew Balding, has run five times and runner-up on three occasions. This chestnut son of Compton Place has run some sterling races losing by a short head on debut and a couple of other defeats by a length or less. A 26,000gns yearling purchase, Jackie & George Smith will feel they
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f on this turning track. Absolutely So should be just that on his second start. Kingsclere Park House Stables know a talented two-year-old when they see one and it spoke volumes that this son of Acclamation was sent off joint favourite when running at Newbury on debut over 7f on testing ground. This January foal was an expensive yearling purchase at 230,000gns. Running in the familiar silks of George Smith, there is little doubt this
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 1m 1f 103y.
Andrew Balding is a classy trainer and I expect Buona Fortuna to go well today. This bay filly by Oasis Dream ran well on debut at Newmarket earlier this month when racing over 7f on testing ground. The familiar Mariscotti silks have adorned some talented juveniles in their time and this 55,000gns yearling purchase - by the trainer - hails from a good family, the mare winning on her second start. This bay has the profile of a winner in waiting and if touching an each way price is a strong bet.
NO 1 The Punter's Choice!!!!!An EBF Maiden Stakes (Div 1) over 7f.
Melvin The Grate was a costly yearling purchase at 200,000gns racing in the familiar silks of Mrs Fitri Hay. This son of Danehill Dancer wasn't overly fancied on debut at Folkestone but ran a pleasing race, staying on in the closing stages, but never likely to catch all the way winner Banovallum. Andrew Balding is a fantastic trainer of two-year-olds. He can prime them to win on debut but many of their representative improve for their first start and put that experience to good use. From a statistical point of view I would be very surprised if this bay colt wasn't placed. The odds are nothing special but if you are looking for a good, strong, confident bet that would be my selection.
6:55 KemptonA Median Maiden Stakes over 1m. A number of leading trainers are featured in this sizeable field of colts and fillies. Only four juveniles have race experience in what is a restricted race type, which is likely to hold down a number of the debutantes. The betting will be a key factor for those from the more fashionable yards. I wouldn't entertain any priced over 13/2 SP. Kuantan One has been relatively fancied on both starts and an expensive yearling purchase at 150,000gns. It is a positive that this son of Strategic Prince started his career at York, which is a good sign for this stable. I fancied his chances at Lingfield, late October, and witnessed a rather frustrating performance. He was outpaced over two furlongs out but rallied in the closing stages for a renewed challenge to finish 4th. Time may tell that wasn't a bad race for the grade and this looks a similar level. A wide draw isn't ideal and it will be interesting to see what De Sousa has up his sleeve. Paul Cole has said this horse will be a better three-year-old and that brings slight concerns giving the impression he needs time to progress. The betting suggested a big run last time and connections must have been disappointed. If he sits handy this looks a fair chance but I would have slight reservations. Probably best to take a watching brief unless drifting to biggish odds.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 1m on soft ground.
One horse catches the eye - Prairie Ranger. Andrew Balding is a class trainer and although this may not have been a vintage season with his two-year-olds they are often worthy of interest on their second start. This son of Montjeu was fancied to go well on debut at Windsor when racing on similarly testing ground. In truth, this Irish bred colt was somewhat disappointing, although being slightly hampered done him no favours.The form of that race is nothing special and ample improvement is needed but there could be more to come. The key point of about this juvenile's chance is based purely on a statistical perspective for me. The betting on debut was a strong indicator Dr Philip Brown's youngster has ability to win a race. Today the betting will be just as crucial. If priced in single figures, a big run should be expected. If price allows a decent each way bet.
