2:20 Ascot Racing Tips (24th July) ANDERS FOUNDATION EBF STALLIONS CROCKER BULTEEL MAIDEN STAKES

Spanish City is well regarded by Roger Varian. This home bred chestnut son of Exceed And Excel is out of a Listed-winning mare, placed at Group 3. He has been given a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) and Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) entry which suggest big plans. Although betting on debutantes can be like playing with fire I would take these as positives and expect a big run. If available at each-way odds is worth a small bet. Win or lose you will be hearing more of this colt. (Withdrawn 7/1)

3:40 Thirsk - Ribbing was sent off 3/1 joint favourite at Kempton when 4th in what looked a hot maiden. The winner is top flight, while the second horse has come out and won since. A chestnut filly trained by David Simcock. This American-bred daughter of Distorted Humor cost 85,000GNS at the breeze-up sales. She has received an entry for the Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) - the only 2yo group entry given by the trainer this season. I would expect an improved performance. It's slightly disappointing this race has seven runner and only two places for each way bettors if touching those kind of odds. However, I would be surprised if Ribbing wasn't in the first two. (2nd 5/2)

Saturday Tips

I've been a bit quiet of late so I thought I'd just give a thought or two:

3:20 Ascot - Interest auction race over 7f. Knight Commander should improve for his debut and must have fair each-way claims. Bernie Boy would have claims if priced in single-figure odds. Any Guest is interesting for George Margarson. This colt held an entry for Royal Ascot and the stable can go well on debut although they have very few juveniles these days. Would bring more hope if backed. Quite a competitive race for the grade. 

4:00 York - Worth noting a few of these hold Gimcrack entries which give encouragement. Kevin Ryan does well here and I'd be pretty confident Mont Kiara has ability. Reputation is another to be given a Gimcrack entry. John Quinn's two-year-olds can be a touch hit and miss but worthy of note and could be backed from 12/1. 

4:20 Newmarket - The most interesting race for me. Ballydoyle is a fair nut to crack after a bold show at Royal Ascot. At such short odds the prices of a couple could be bigger than expected. Nemoralia ran well on debut and will be all the better for this step up in distance and primed. If priced 13/2 & less sp will have strong each-way claims. It may be priced outside this price guide with the odds-on shot but I'd stick to the basics. Quite interested in Justice Lass at 20/1. She is well regarded by connections and showed a touch of ability over 5f. This step up to 7f could see a transformation. Elsworth does well at Newmarket and Spencer is a good jockey booking. Could well be backed from big odds and may well sneak into the frame with the hope of more. If touching huge odds on the exchanges I'd definitely have a few quid on and hope she's backed. 

Main Tips:

4:20 Newmarket - Nemoralia (13/2 & less SP only) Each-way 2nd

Speculative Tips:

4:20 Newmarket - Justice Lass 20/1 Each-way 4th

2:25 Ascot Racing Tips (29th April) TIMES+ CONDITIONS STAKES (CLASS 2) (2yo)

A Conditions Stakes race over 5f on good to firm going. Six two year olds takes part: three unbeaten, one placed and unseated rider plus a debutante from Hannon's stable.

Last year this race was won by Escalating, trained by Pat Eddery, on his third start. He disappointed on debut when made favourite in the Brocklesby Stakes, victorious on his second start at Kempton. This son of Three Valleys ran at Group 3 but disappointed. 

A trio of winning debutantes make this a fascinating race - almost certainly the best race we have seen this juvenile campaign. 

Gifted Master was tested at Stake class when racing at Newmarket on debut against the Brocklesby Stakes victor Ravenhoe. This son of Kodiac was pretty fancied in the betting [4/1]. The favourite didn't have much luck in running but it would have made little difference to the result because Hugo Palmer's colt surged clear of the field after being held up just behind the pace. He was coltish that day which often puts pay to a horse's chance. However, it was a sparkling display and by all account Dr Ali Ridha horse could have a glowing future. 

Buratino was similarly stylish on his debut at Chelmsford City when winning readily by over three lengths. The form of that race has yet to be tested but the second and third both held entries for the Brocklesby Stakes and one cost a considerable amount at the yearling sales. Mark Johnston had a treble with his two year olds that day and all look good prospects. This son of Exceed And Excel was very inexperienced that day. Turning courses can be hard work for a horse learning his craft and in many respects that made his performance all the more outstanding. This bay colt is likely to improve a good deal for that first run and difficult to limit his ability. A talent who should be a worthy challenger to the favourite. 

The last of the trio is Handytalk, who is trained by Rod Millman. This Irish son of first season sire Lilborne Lad was backed on debut at Winsdor when the stable fielded two horses, the other more fancied in the betting. Raj To Riches looked to have the aces up his sleeve but April foal nabbed him on the line. The form of that race doesn't look in the same class as the two mentioned. It is worth noting that Millman's two year olds are not pressed on debut and this youngster could well improve. On balance, I would take a watching brief.

Mark Usher's Arlecchino's Rock finished third behind Handytalk and needs to improve. Usher's horses usually come on for their racecourse bow and this colt looks up to winning this season. Another horse who is best watched although he, like the other juveniles, do not carry a penalty.  

Interesting to see Aragon Knight making his return to racing after unseating his rider on debut at Newbury. Heather Main doesn't train many two year olds but this son of Kheleyf was well backed that day. That maiden often features a few decent juveniles. This looks a stiff ask and there is always a concern horses who show temperament will act in a similar manner. It is also true that a lot of horses who fluff their lines on debut come back all guns blazing. This bay colt has a lot to prove and best watched. 

Richard Hannon has been relatively quiet this early season. It is intriguing they have Log Out Island making his debut at this level. This Irish bred son of Dark Angel is out of a twice-winning mare. He was purchased at the yearling sales by Ross & Peter Doyle Bloodstock for £95,000. This stable should always be respected with such a huge string of juveniles and the betting will give a good idea of the merit this horse is held. However, it would have to be significantly backed for me to view it as a worthy challenger and if weak in the betting is best left alone. It would be a supreme effort to win against this opposition. 

Conclusion: A race to savior this early season - two potentially smart two year olds in the shape of Gifted Master - who was sparkling at Newmarket - and the untapped ability of Buratino who was clueless at Chelmsford City. I will be watching and enjoying this contest as a purist. Gifted Master would get the nod if pressed. Stakes races are a law unto themselves - never say never. It is unlikely Handytalk will tarnish the hopes of the major fancies. Arlecchino's Rock and Aragon Rock have a mountain to climb, while Log Out Island is set a stern test to beat such promising opponents on debut. All have it to prove. It looks a duel between Gifted Master & Buratino. Enjoy.       

  

  

5:30 Ascot (10th May) Free Horse Racing Tips

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 5f on Good To Firm ground. Nine juveniles take part, two with race experience. Clive Brittain is one trainer who never lacks ambition. Added to this, he is one of the most optimistic horse trainers you will find. Boy it has served him well. So often his two-year-olds have surprised the opposition by winning at fantastic odds when seemingly outclassed. However, Rizeena looks a great prospect. This daughter of Iffraaj might just be the exception to the rule because she has ability. There was money for this youngster on debut when backed from 40/1 - 16/1. I actually laid this horse and after seeing her slow from the stalls and hugely inexperienced I didn't pay much attention to her performance until reviewing the race later. She finished the race with real purpose and with another half furlong would have been vying for the lead.  Considering the form of that Newmarket maiden has been franked by numerous horses this bay filly make much appeal against debutantes. I would expect to see a her primed and Brittain will be confident of a big run. Make no mistake it will take a decent horse to beat Rizeena and I expect her to win. 

Richard Hannon is a master with his two-year-olds and especially so with horses owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. This February foal was purchased as a yearling for 60,000gns. There seems to be money for Oriel on the exchanges, which is a positive. I often find the Hannon debutantes difficult to assess. However, a general, logical, rule is that the shorter the price the bigger the run. For all the latest news about Richard Hughes' rides take a look at his personal racing preview.  

Prize looks to be second string for the stable. Hannon is a cunning trainer and they are not against inflating a horse's odds with this ploy. This daughter of Exceed And Excel was a costly foal at 135,000gns.  

Just to add to the mix they also field Corncockle.  Money talks with this stable and if the perceived second and third string are substantially backed they are worth noting.   

Atlantic Affair is a big filly trained by Mark Johnston. She has tried to lead in her last two races but failed to stay and looks weak. I wouldn't back this horse who will be a better prospect in handicaps later in the season.

William Haggas started the two-year-old season with an impressive winner. The betting is the best guide to Lady In Blue, a daughter of Iffraaj's chances. If priced 13/2 & less this horse has fair win and place claims.

Simple Magic may need a greater test of stamina although the stable have fair win and place claims with horses priced 13/2 & less on debut. This stable do particularly well with debutantes starting 11/4 & less. 

The betting is the best guide to Caletta Bay. Mick Channon has very few horse win priced over 8/1 when making their racecourse bow. 

Red Lady hails from Brian Meehan's stable. He does well at this course and if fancied in the betting would bring greater confidence. However, the stable do not feature the best strike rate on debut and generally run well on their second start.

Conclusion: Oriel has been backed on the exchanges which could be significant, especially owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. The shorter the price the bigger the run. However, this could be a blessing for those interested in Rizeena. This filly showed great promise on debut from a race that has been franked by numerous winners. If available at each way odds this must be a great bet. The betting is the best guide to the others. Unless they are priced 13/2 & less, I would take a watching brief.