1:25 Doncaster Racing Tips (28th March) BETWAY BROCKLESBY CONDITIONS STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

The first two-year-old race of the season. Great to see the Brocklesby opening proceedings. From an original 19 entrants we see a relatively small field of just nine juveniles: colts bar one filly. A mix representative of leading to small stables over 5f on good to soft going.

One name synonymous with the Brocklesby is Bill Turner. This year sees him field Just That Lord, a son of Avonbridge out of Lady Filly, who was similarly owned and trained. The mare ran in the silks of Mrs  M S Teversham and a precocious type running six times in her formative season, winning her first three starts, then far from disgraced when visiting Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2). This home bred chestnut colt is an April foal, so officially not quite two. Turner has excelled in this race and it is no understatement to say he usually sends his best two-year-old to compete. In the last seven races he has won this contest three times and runner-up twice. There is little doubt Just That Lord will be primed and ready, from a good family, and with a valuable 5lb claim from Ryan While I would be expecting a big performance. 

By all account assessing the ability of debutantes relates to breeding and particularly trainer standards and performance. 

Scott Dixon is a charismatic trainer who won this race last year with the talented Cock Of The North who fairly powered home in the hands of Matthew Hopkins (beating Bill Turner's Paddy Again). Cock Of The North proved a class performer competing at Group class including a narrow loss in Solario Stakes (Group 3), while finishing his season in the Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) behind Elm Park. In all honesty it would be a miracle for this year's candidate to reach such dizzy heights. Dixon's hope is Rupert Boy an Irish bred son of first-season sire Frozen Power out of an unraced mare. This chestnut colt was purchased at the yearling sales for 26,000gns by the trainer, running in the ownership of J Radford. Trainers are creatures of habit so it could be a sign of interest and 7lb apprentice David Parkes is a talented pilot. 

First Bombardment is trained by David O'Meara in the silks of Northern Hart Racing & Partner. This son of Pastoral Pursuits is out of a twice-winning mare costing £18,000 at the yearling sales. This stable can ready a horse to win on debut although they feature a relatively poor strike rate. Money would give greater hope although a horse I would rather watch. 

Brian Ellison doesn't have many debut winners but a shrewd trainer. General Alexander is a son of Zebedee out of a winning Irish mare. This grey colt is quite an early February foal, meaning he is just over two and purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales for £30,000. Mrs J A Martin is a good patron of Spring Cottage Stables (Northgate Lad won on debut as a two-year-old at Beverley). This horse is bred to be an early type and the betting is the best guide. 

Mark Johnston had two horses entered to contest this race but Ravenhoe will be the first juvenile runner for Kingsley House. This chestnut son of Bahamian Bounty cost £16,000 at the yearling sales when purchased by the trainer for established owner David Abell. The mare was a prolific sprinter with Kevin Ryan, who won on debut at Doncaster. There is nothing in the breeding of this horse to put you off. Mark Johnston has a fair win rate with his two-year-olds making their racecourse bow although I find him something of an enigma. In general, his better juveniles appear in May and even then it can be very difficult to pick the wheat from the chaff. His horses either win easily or prove disappointing losers. I would have to take a watching brief.

James Given has a brace of runners: one colt and the sole filly of the field. He fielded Magic Florence in this race last year, who won in her two-year-old career although proved a frustrating individual at times. 

Sir Dudley runs in the same ownership of The Cool Silk Partnership who know a good horse. This bay, an Irish bred son of Arcano, is the oldest in the field (10th February). He is out of a winning mare and cost £52,000 at the yearling sales and half-brother to Apostle. In general, the stable's juveniles are better on their second start although they can go well if fancied in the betting. If priced 4/1 & less I'd expect a big run but weak in the market a watching brief. 

Given's saddle the only filly in the field Silk Bow for The Cool Silk Partnership. This daughter of Elusive City cost £31,000 when purchased by Athony Stroud at the yearling sales (10,000gn foal). The mare raced at three and won over a mile. The betting is the best guide and most probably the second string for Mount House Stables. 

Teversham is handled by Chris Dwyer. This bay colt is a son of Kheleyf out of a twice-winning mare trained by D Cosgrove. An 8,000gn foal, purchased by the vendor. This juvenile races in the familiar silks of Strawberry Field Stud, connections of Basil Berry. The stable are a canny outfit but their two-year-old usually progress with racing. Unless seriously backed, best watched.

Last but not least is Tim The Taxi trained by Natalie Lloyd-Beavis, who was granted her trainer's licence in 2012. This bay colt is a son of Compton Place out of a winning mare trained by Rod Millman, similarly bred by The Pocock Family. Originally purchased as a foal for 8,000gns by Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock, latterly by Tim Suttle as a yearling for 3,000gns. Best watched. 

Conclusion: The beginning of the Flat turf season. The Brocklesby has been won by a few talented juveniles including Mind Games, Hearts Of Fire & Cock Of The North. Nineteen horses were entered for this race and those original entrants are worth noting. All Stakes race entrants/runners often prove up to winning maiden contests. With no form we have to use our experience to assess these. Bill Turner is always worth noting in the Brocklesby as he has made it his own. Just That Lord is bred to be precocious and fast. With a relatively small field the only negative may be the price. I wouldn't bet at short odds but if an each-way price must go well. The betting is key for most and money is never a bad sign. Sir Dudley would have sound win and place claims if priced 4/1 & less. Ravenhoe could be anything but Johnston's debutantes are so hit and miss I would watch this horse. 

Review: Disappointing to see a small field, no doubt diluted by two other juveniles races on the same day - at least two other horses gave the Brocklesby a miss to compete at Kempton or Chelmsford City. Only four horses made any impact in this race: Ravenhoe, First Bombardment, General Alexander & Just That Lord. All horses entered for or running in this race are worthy of interest on their next starts. Stakes races are often a good source of talent. However, the form of these early two-year-old races can only be assessed with time. Certainly the final furlong was slow. Mark Johnston's Ravenhoe was quite well backed and not best away but ran to the line. The stable fielded all three juvenile winners on the day and they looked - physically - fair horses. This colt just held First Bombardment who touched below 1/10 in-running. David O'Meara's horse was a touch keen and always in a nice position just behind the lead. He lost nothing in defeat and looks a straightforward juvenile who should win. General Alexander had a slow start and then a touch outpaced, switching on the outside before switching back to the rail. Brian Ellison's juvenile wasn't pressed but ran on encouragingly. This colts should improve and not a million miles away from the first two. Just That Lord is a fair-looking colt and showed a professional approach, plenty of pace and looked to hold every chance until the closing stages when he showed his limitations or needed the run. It is difficult to assess horses at this early stage although he was ridden as if fit and ready. He may have go a stride too fast which could have told in the closing stages although on this evidence looked held. All four horses are likely to be short odds for their next start with valuable race experience. Until the form has been tested I would take a watching brief. Mark Johnston's winners at Kempton and Chelmsford City both caught the eye. For a filly, Rah Rah has size and scope with a fluent action. That was a tidy performance against Hannon's odds-on shot (Anwar). At Chelmsford City, Buratino looked very inexperienced, hanging and clueless, but beat the opposition without any fuss and is sure to improve for this first start. All three winners have hope of progressing to a higher level and set the standard for stakes race to come.  
  

Bill Turner's Hotpot To Be Revealed By HCE

Bill Turner nearly done it again! Done what I hear you ask? Win the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. Paddy Again made a valiant bid when running at Doncaster, 29th March. This daughter of Moss Vale finished second behind Cock Of The North.

In truth, Turner seemed less confident than previous years, which may have explained why his filly drifted from 6/1 - 9/1 in the betting.

He detailed his thoughts in an article published in the Western Gazette stating he would be pleased if she finished in the first four. By all accounts this bay filly, ridden by his grandson Ryan While, travelled well and touched odds on in-running, before being beaten by Scott Dixon's winner by three-lengths. It was revealing that Turner (pictured) reported Paddy Again wasn't the stable's original choice for the Brocklesby.

The Sigwell handler said: ''All my two-year-olds have been backwards this year but have sharpened up in the last fortnight though my best colt who looked  a real Brocklesby horse has not recovered from sore shins.'' 

He went on to state that Paddy Again wasn't in the same bracket as last year's winner Mick's Yer Man. 

The stable have 15 two-year-olds for the season. 

2:20 Southwell (Wednesday 3rd April) Free Horse Racing Tips

A restricted maiden auction stakes over 5f. Five colts take part, two raced. Experience counts for a lot at this time of the season. El Duque & Far Gaze both showed promise when making their debutes at Lingfield & Wolverhampton, respectively. The former is trained by Bill Turner who has the talented Mick's Yer Man, winner of two stakes races. 

El Duque, a son of Byron, was quite fancied on debut when ridden by Ryan While. This yearling cost 3,500gns when purchased by the trainer. He didn't have much luck on his racecourse bow when checked in the early stages, which meant he was always on the back foot. I think his jockey resigned himself to a considerate introduction but this bay ran on with some spirit in the closing stages giving the impression he could have finished closer if all had gone to plan. As it happens, the form of that race has been franked with the fifth and sixth winning next start and the seventh running a sterling race at kempton. Considering El Duque was in front of those horses he must be respected in what is most likely an ordinary race.

On form Far Gaze looks to have a stiff task beating the above mentioned. This American bred colt, sired by Belmont, was pretty much thrashed by Stan Moore's Outback Lover who succumb to El Duque on her initial start. By all accounts Far Gaze needs to improve a good number of length to put down any challenge. However, two-year-old horses often improve considerably for their first start and I get the feeling this bay colt will show up well today. He is a fair-looking juvenile for this grade. A tardy start cost him any chance at Wolverhampton. It is interesting to note that this youngster has been entered to run in two stakes race, which indicates the stable have plans. A Brocklesby entry went amiss after the ground turned for the worse at Doncaster. The Brocklesby has been a fair pointer to the stable's better early juveniles in previous seasons and most ran creditably on their second start. The majority improved quite markedly. 

The debutantes wouldn't need to be anything special to win although they will most certainly need to be primed. It is never easy for juveniles to win on their first start. 

Red House is probably best watched. 

Alan McCabe is a trainer to respect with his juveniles and Red Warrior cost 8,000gns. The owners, Premspace, have had winning horses with Ed McMahon. Money is often the key pointer for this stable. In general, they feature a poor strike rate with their debutantes although when fancied they can go close. In such a small field it is difficult to assess the market as bookmakers will be unwilling to push the prices too far unless they consider a horse has next to no hope. I would take a watching brief unless seriously backed.

Tyrsal is trained by Robert Eddery who certainly knows how to train a horse. They have had a few horse well backed on debut and they are  a canny outfit. If backed this son of Jeremy is worth noting.

Conclusion: Small fields don't enthrall me as value races. On form El Duque looks every inch a winner and could take this in some style. He is a fair-looking colt and the apprentice allowance is a plus. He showed spirit at Lingfield and should run all the way to the line. The horse to beat. I'm quite interested in Far Gaze simply because Moore has entered him for two stakes race, including the Brocklesby which I'm convinced is a pointer. He is a fair looker with a bit of strength and I expect a marked improvement. If prices allow, I would be tempted to have an each way bet. Whether he has enough ability to win only time will tell but it would put me off betting on the favourite. It may be a mistake to consider El Duque has no opposition. The debutantes are difficult to assess. Alan McCabe is a talented trainer and if backed it would bring more confidence. It's a similar story with Tyrsal who hails from a canny stable. If betting, I would fancy Far Gaze at an each way price. 

1:50 Musselburgh (Saturday 30th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

Toteplacepot Racing's Favourite Bet Conditions Stakes over 5f on good to soft ground. Seven two-year-olds compete, three raced, including one winner, two fillies against the boys. Mick's Yer Man made an impressive winning debut in the Brocklesby on the first day of the Flat turf season. By all accounts that was a solid, professional performance and even with a small penalty there could be more to come. Bill Turner has a decent string of juveniles and this colt could well be one of his better winners. Experience can be a huge advantage and with a proven level of ability he sets a stiff task for all opponents. This son of Bahamian Bounty could well be a fair juvenile. 

The Brocklesby was a starting point for another of today's runners *Donny Rover. This son of Excellent Art is owned by Willie McKay, who dug deep to buy this bay colt from the yearling sales for 95,000euros. The mare was Listed-placed, although enjoyed a trip. Charles Smith trains a number of horses for McKay and this is an intriguing sort. There was a good word for this juveniles at Doncaster but all chance had gone with a tardy start. Donny Rover is an attractive colt who could improve significantly on his disappointing 6th when left trailing behind Mick's Yer Man. I would expect to see a much better performance today.

Intense Feeling is the only other horse with experience. This daughter of Intense Focus was a cheap yearling purchase and owned by Mrs Evans. She was well backed on debut at Lingfield and showed good pace until tiring in the latter stages. The winner won in comfortable style and the 5th, Outback Lover, won next start. Although this brown filly has valuable experience I would have concerns this will be a tough task. It is a concern to see her entered for a Selling Stakes. Others make more appeal.

The debutantes will need to be primed and pretty smart juveniles to win. However, it is worth noting that Stakes races often spring a surprise or too. For many trainers this race type it is a sign they fancy their chances. Even with such optimism this looks a competitive heat for their racecourse bow.

Lilo Lil was a cheap purchase and part owned by trainer Griffiths. Best watched.

The debutantes of most note hail from leading two-year-old stables. Scargill, Skye's The Limit & Vine De Nada are worthy of respect.

Skye's The Limit is a chestnut colt sired by Pastoral Pursuits. He cost 32,000gns at the yearling sales. The stable have a very good strike rate at the course although David Nolan could be considered a negative jockey booking. With so many meetings taking place it could be the case the stable are pressed for riders and he may ride this youngster on the gallops. This stable can prime a debutante and they often run big races. As they trained Lord Clyde to finish third in the Brocklesby, Fahey may have a line to Mick's Yer Man.  One of the more likelier types.

Mark Johnston is a superb trainer although I find his debutante exceptionally difficult to call. As I have mentioned many times before, they fall into two groups; easy winners or disappointments. Vine De Nada is a relatively cheap purchase at 13,000gns. The mare won on debut when trained by Ed Dunlop, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, the breeder of this youngster. The stable's juveniles are often slow to come to hand and all too frequently struggle with a slow start. I would rather watch and learn.

Scargill is an early foal, being born in February, so could be forward. He looks to be  a home bred by the versatile stallion Sixties Icon, who Mick Channon done so well with last season. The stable's juveniles can win on debut. The shorter the price the better, so money would be encouraging. Even with this in mind, the stable have few debutante winners priced over 11/2. 

Conclusion: Mick's Yer Man won the Brocklesby in some style and even with a small penalty must take some beating. I would never be tempted to back at short odds as Stakes races can be a can of worms. However, I would be surprised if he doesn't win. Of the rest, I would expect a much improved performance from Donny Rover. He is difficult to assess but I can see a bold show from this youngster. I would take a watching brief with Vine De Nada. Scargill is another to watch if weak in the market. Skye's The Limit has claims but another who needs to be primed to deprive Turner's winner his second victory.

*NR

Take a look at 1:45 Kempton race analysis from We Go Racing  


Richard Fahey - 2yo Talk

Two-Year-Olds

Lord Clyde
He ran in the Brocklesby and shaped well in third. I was delighted with him - he looked like a hairy goat and hated the ground. I'll just give him a little break now.

We have a lot of exciting juveniles to look forward to. Kindanyce and Skye's The Limit are among the more forward and could run at Kempton and Musselburgh this weekend. The latter is quite nice but this wouldn't be his track. If he was able to win over five there he's a decent horse.

Dutch Courage is a filly I like. She hasn't done anything serious but does everything right and looks one to look forward to for Cheveley Park Stud who are new owners in the yard. I also have to pass on a positive word for Kalahari Kingdom. He's a very nice son of Footstepsinthesand.

We'll have a few runners in the early maidens but in general we have more late-maturing types this season who will progress with time. It's very early days with them all.

5:50 Wolverhampton (Wednesday, 27th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Auction Stakes over 5f 20y on standard going. Seven two-year-olds take part, a mix of colts and fillies from early-season trainers. 

This looks a tricky race to assess with only one horse with experience.

Bill Turner got off to his customary flying start when Mick's Yer Man won the Brocklesby in style on the first day of the Flat turf season. His second runner didn't keep the 100% record, although that colt ran on with purpose at the line. Jake Payne takes the ride on Sunshine Superman, a son of Captain Gerrard, who was purchased by the trainer for £1,100 at the yearling sales. The mare was unraced, although bred to need a trip. As stated before, Turner doesn't feature as good a strike rate with his debutantes as pundits enthuse. In fact, their juveniles often struggle to win first start. The Brocklesby victory is still fresh in punters' minds and could well be a horse to take a watching brief if a short price.

Outback Lover is the only horse to have raced so far, one of two juveniles fielded by Stan Moore. This bay, by first season sire Bushranger, is on the small side. Fillies come in all shapes and sizes so it doesn't pay to be dogmatic about their standing although this March foal had the physique of a plater. That initial experience could be worth a lot, especially on this turning track, where immaturity can be costly. That first effort at Lingfield left me with the impression connections didn't hold any aspirations of winning. It is difficult to imagine the worth of that form as the winner never looked to be troubled and the majority of the field were on a steep learning curve. Egan takes off a valuable 3lb, and from a low draw is likely to press on.  If relatively fancied in the betting she has fair win and place claims although I have reservations. 

The other stable representative is Far Gaze. This Amercian bred colt was a cheap buy for 2,000euros.  The mare won on debut in a three-race career. The main point of interest regarding this colt is that he was one of two juveniles entered by Moore to run in the Brocklesby. They were both withdrawn most probably due to testing ground conditions, suggesting the all weather surface will be more suiting. In previous years, the Brocklesby entry has been a positive sign for this stable, with the majority of the sample going on to win in their juvenile career. However, most won on their second start. I would imagine Far Gaze will be a better horse than Outback Lover. However, it would be a fair effort to win on debut.

Left Defender is Jo Hughes fourth two-year-old runner of the season. The stable have about 20 juveniles at Hill House Stables. This bay colt was purchased by the trainer from the yearling sales for £3,000. This son of Camacho is out of an unraced Irish mare and top weight for this event. There was good money for both juveniles in the race where Outback Lover finished fifth, with the stable taking second place, while the heavily backed Marilyn Marquessa disappointed after showing good pace. A difficult horse to assess but a stable who like to gamble so worth keeping an eye on the market.

Richard Guest isn't renowned for two-year-old winners and the majority of his juveniles are limited, most needing the experience. Clumber Place won on debut in 2008,  after being well backed. *Will To Survive was a 1,500euro purchase from the yearling sales. The only positive is that this youngster makes an early start to his career because some of the stable's better prospects have been their first runners. However, unless seriously backed it would be wise to take a watching brief.

*Gin Time hails from David Evans' stable. This March foal, a daughter of Kalanisi, is owned by his wife and a cheap buy. Ty Derlwyn Farm, have about 14 two-year-olds in training and they generally aim to run most of their juveniles in the first few months of the season. The sire was a talented horse from Sir Michael Stoute. However, you would have to consider this trip looks a touch sharp. I always find this stable very difficult to call with their debutantes. Money would be a positive but a few question marks on the breeding front and wide draw doesn't make for easy reading.

Memory Styx looks the most interesting horse on paper and comes from a stable which deserves respect. This daughter of Clodovil is the most expensive in the field at £14,000 and related to fair horses including half-sister Watneya, who won on debut when trained by William Haggas. The mare made a winning three-year-old debut for Mick Channon over one mile and a limited handicapper. From a statistical point of view this grey holds the best chance although this minimum trip could well be on the sharp side. This horse makes most appeal as the winner.

Conclusion: It is best to take these early-season two-year-old races as works in progress. They are part of a much bigger picture and form takes time to become established. The betting is a good pointer. Outback Lover has the advantage of experience although she is a on the small side. I can see her sneaking a place but may struggle to win. Unless there is substantial money for Left Defender &  Will To Survive they are best watched. Gin Time looks to need a further trip. I find Evans debutantes impossible to assess. I would take a watching brief but respect they can win when readied. Similarly, Sunshine Superman wouldn't be my type of bet if favourite. Far Gaze is worth noting for the future and likely to win this season. Moore's youngster can win on debut and it isn't beyond the realm this horse could go well. Memory Styx looks the the sort to go well but this doesn't look a betting race to me. 

Note: Sunshine Superman, Will To Survive & Gin Time have been entered to run in a selling race at Warwick, which suggests they are no world beaters. 

Take a look at We Go Racing, who not only have a great website, but a superb 2yo racing page.


*NR

Bill Turner: Two-Year-Old Talk

Bill Turner made his customary start to the two-year-old racing season when Severn Bore won the 2:45 Redcar Racecourse Cheapest Admission In Brittain Selling Stakes. The Dorset  handler seemed pessimistic about its chances when interviewed on Racing UK. However, it didn't stop the colt by Tiger Hill winning by 3/4 length. Ironically, he detailed Caught Napping - who finished 5th in the opening race on the card - a much better horse but needs 6/7 furlongs.

He commented that Just Past Andover, 4th in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on the first day of the Flat turf season, is a ''good horse who should win''. Turner considered it a good race, which saw My Boy Bill win with a hands & heels ride. Often noted for sending his best two-year-old to contest this race, he was asked if any other juveniles had been showing ability on the gallops. He highlighted an unnamed colt by Haafhd who had been working well. However, this youngster had suffered from a ''touch of sore shins''.

The Horse's In Training 2012 publication details Turner has a couple of horses by this sire. Its Only Business, a chestnut colt out of Noble Plum who cost £10,000, owned by Mr B. Ansell. While a bay colt out of Erreur (IRE), running in the familiar red and white silks of E A Brook (as seen with Caught Napping) has a price tag of  £14,285.

With a string of ten two-year-olds, it will be no surprise to see a number of early types from this talented trainer.