A Stakes race over 5f 59y on soft going. Seven two-year-olds take part: five colts and two fillies, three horses have race experience.
Of the raced horses, Bill's Delight showed good pace on debut but tired rapidly. This daughter of Compton Place doesn't inspire and displays a poor running action. The type of horse you might wish to lay in running if leading because I don't think she will be winning.
Sheila's Lad was earmarked to run n the Brocklesby Stakes, which isn't a bad sign for one of Stan Moore's two-year-olds. I expected a fair show at Leicester even though huge odds were on offer and this gelding ran on well and looked a threat for a stride or two. Statistically, this stable do quite well with juveniles on their second start. The form of that debut may not amount to a great deal and Lucata running no race next start doesn't help bring any insight. This son of Lilborne Lad is far from a physical specimen looking leggy and unfurnished. In fact, the look of this gelding on debut made me think he had little chance. Perhaps that was a poor race. Looks aren't the bee all and end all with juveniles but it certainly puts me off betting this February foal.
Spin Top achieved little on debut at Kempton where he ran off the course after becoming impossible to steer. Joseph Tuite is a decent trainer and would have been bemused by the antics of this son of Acclamation. The mare was a very talented horse, winning her first three starts at two for Richard Fahey. She was placed at Group 2 class and achieved an official rating of 103. Spin Top cost 42,000eur at the yearling sales. I often make the quote with two-year-old that look horrendous on debut: ''The worse they look, the better they turn out to be.'' This bay colt was relatively fancied that day and at huge odds may show a different side to himself on this second start. At speculative odds could be worth a punt.
The debutantes hail from respected trainers.
Robert Cowell doesn't have that many early two-year-olds and Visionary is well owned by Khalifa Dasmal. This son of Dream Ahead is a home-bred but was sent through the sales ring and bought in for 20,000gns by the trainer. I find Cowell a difficult trainer to assess with his debutantes. They can win at the first time of asking but many look very disappointing. I would have to take a watching brief.
Mick Channon has struggled over the last few years with a depleted string and the quality of his two-year-olds has dropped. However, Raffle King, a son of Kodiac, was a fairly expensive yearling purchase at 48,000gns. This youngster is owned by Taplin and Bunney Partnership. I wonder if that is Steve Taplin of Two-Year-Olds publication? Channon's debutantes can will when fancied in the betting and worthy of respect.
April foal, Swell Hill is trained by Richard Hannon. Their two-year-olds have been running with credit this season if not overshadowed by Mark Johnston's talents. This daughter of Foxwedge (AUS) is out of a poor mare and a cheap foal at 5,000gns.Owners, Rockliffe Stud, done well with Age Of Empire in 2015. The breeding of Swell Hill doesn't inspire confidence but if strong in the betting worth of respect. If very weak in the betting I would give this filly a miss.
Charlie Beer Punt hails from Tom Dascombe's stable, whose juveniles have been running with credit and especially so on debut where they have looked fit, ready and professional. This son of Nathaniel is owned by The Roaring Twenties who have a seemingly endless supply of colts and fillies. A relatively cheap yearling purchase at 9,000gns. The betting is te best guide. If priced 7/1 and less sp has sound each way claims.
Conclusion: Quite an open-looking race and the betting should tell the story. Swell Hill, Raffle King, Visionary would have claims if fancied but I'd watch if weak. I would watch Visionary. The betting is key to Charlie Beer Punt. If priced 7/1 and less sp has each-way claims. Spin Top may well be worth a punt at speculative odds.
A Fillies' Maiden Stakes over 6f on good going. Quite an interesting contest. Limonata was well backed when entered to run the other week but withdrawn when the ground turned soft. This daughter of Bushranger cost 90,000GNS in the ownership of Paul Jacobs. These silks adorn the highly talented Limato. Should go well.
A few others worthy of note.
William Haggas' Gravity Flow is held in some regard. She cost 165,000EUR as a yearling.
Lady Cecil has few two-year-olds in her string but it is intriguing to note this American daughter of Blame has been given a Stakes entry. These seemingly insignificant entries are often overlooked but a sign of confidence. Few of this trainer's juveniles win priced over 10/1. A wide draw isn't the best starting point for Granita.
Andrew Balding has been in pretty dire form with his two-year-old debutantes this season. It's difficult to appreciate why, as many have run exceptionally well on their second start. Sunflower is a daughter of Dutch Art and holds a Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) entry [as does Gravity Flow]. The stable's juveniles can win on debut when priced 10/1 & less, especially so when 7/1. The poor performance of the debutantes this season would suggest taking a watch brief. Sooner or later one of these will go well but I'll watch today.
Jim Boyle doesn't have the greatest of strike rates with two-year-olds but Black Bess belied her odds on debut showing promise, and the betting is important for her chances today. If priced 13/2 & less SP would have decent each-way claims. If outside this betting guide I'd take a watching brief.
Conclusion: All in all a difficult race to assess with a few horses held in some regard, so could be a stronger race than first thought. Watching brief.
2:30 Brighton - Perkunas is well regarded by Brian Meehan. This bay gelding ran well on debut and set a stiff challenge when competing at York's Convivial Maiden Stakes. That race was akin to pattern class, such was the level of prize money. Should take a lot of beating.
Sterling Lines hasn't had much go right: last of fourteen on debut and then very well backed at Kempton but taking a dreadful stumble leaving the stalls which really made life difficult. Mrs Fitri Hay's colt is better than seen and a couple of Group entries detail he will go well with a touch of luck. Whether this son of Equiano can beat the favourite time will tell but he could well hold each-way claims at 10/1.
Conclusion: Perkunas is a decent juvenile and will take the beating. If Sterling Lines touches big odds there might be some value. Rather than an each-way bet I'd be tempted to have a point on the favourite and Chapple-Hyam's charge.
2:50 Windsor - Duck A L'Orange was relatively fancied on debut at 10/1 and the form of that race has been franked. Michael Bell doesn't have too many talents this season but this chestnut colt is thought to be a fair horse on the gallops and expected to improve for that first start. This is a step down in class and could well be backed. A wide draw isn't ideal but with experience this son of Duke Of Marmalade should sit handy. Interesting.
Four On Eight defied huge odds second start and this step up in distance will help. Looks a tough nut to crack.
Robert Eddery is a canny trainer and can pop up with a talented juvenile. Hepplewhite wasn't the most expensive purchased at the yearling sales for £18,000. This son of Rail Link out of a Galileo mare could be a good buy. Interesting to note this bay colt has been given an entry for the Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2). Pie in the sky or inspired? At odds of 25/1 it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see a glimmer of ability and one for those who like a punt.
Sporty Yankee is worth noting in the betting and if 13/2 & less SP would have serious claims. This American bred colt has been entered at Stakes class, which give encouragement.
Conclusion: A few fancied here. Four On Eight sets a fair standard. I quite like Duck A L'Orange each-way. Sporty Yankee would be a solid each-way bet if strongly fancied in the market. Hepplewhite could go well at huge odds.
A Maiden Stakes over 5f 59y on good to firm going. Six two year olds: two colt and four fillies. Silver Springs ran at 4:55 Windsor [Monday] so unlikely to take part.
A couple of juveniles have race experience including one from Ireland.
Last year, this race was won on debut by Bronze Marquette, shooting clear by five lengths, Gary Moore's filly had a trio of victories on her formative season. The most prestigious being at Listed class, while unplaced in the Flying Childers (Group 2), She attained an official rating of 104.
Taexali hails from Irish-based trainer John Patrick Shanahan. This is his first Great British runner of the season. However, this County Kilkenny handler has fielded 75 runners over the last five years with twelve winners. This February foal, a bay colt, is a son of Raven's Pass is out of a four-time-winning mare who won at Listed class, while unplaced six times at Group level. Taexali finished a respectable fifth on debut at the Curragh on heavy going.That first race had win prize of almost £10,000 and Plus 10 Bonus. He led but tired in the closing stages, beaten three lengths. By all account that was a promising debut and he sets the standard. On breeding a stiffer test of stamina may be needed and the ground is markedly different from his racecourse bow.
Jet Setting is one of four fillies taking on the boys. Richard Hannon has seen a few juveniles go well this Flat season although a little quiet in some respects. This Irish-bred filly is sired by First Company out of a winning mare. A February foal, she races in the familiar silks of Mrs Julie Woods, a bargain buy at just 7,000eur [foal]. She finished fourth on debut when relatively fancied. It is difficult to assess the standard of that maiden although Gin In The Inn won easily and looks a talent. The second [Twisting Hay] and third [Willytheconqueror] were both fancied and money for the latter named. Clearly, this is a matter of opinion and with all early-juvenile form you are taking a gamble. However, time may tell this filly has enough ability to win a small race.
Bill Turner fielded what is likely to be his best two year old in the Brocklesby and while Just That Lord finished fourth [has just about enough ability to win a race] it does temper my enthusiasm for his string who may be lesser types. Certainly, many of his juveniles to race this season have proved limited. Mustn't Grumble is sired by Intense Focus out of a four-time winning mare [Lough Mist (IRE)] who disappointed at Listed class. This chestnut colt was purchased at the yearling sales by the trainer for 14,000eur. He races in the familiar red & white silks of E A Brook. That gives some aspect of hope. Ryan While takes off a valuable 5lb claim. Although Turner is reputed as a good trainer with juveniles first start their statistics are relatively poor. After a few disappointments, I'd take a watching brief.
No Body's Fool is owned and bred by T Taplin who has horses with a number of trainers - his best horse Pedro Pete. This chestnut filly, a daughter of Sixties Icon out of a multiple-winning mare [Ownership of Taplin] won her first two starts for Mick Channon, placed in the Hilary Needler Trophy, then halfway down the field in the Albany Stakes (Group 3). Not bad breeding at all. Michael Madgwick has a small string of just five two year old. He had one winner in 2012 when Multitask prevailed, comfortably, at odds of 100/1.
The last filly of the field is Just Emma. This home bred was interestingly sent through the sales ring for just £1,100 [to gain entry to auction races]. Owner A A Byrne has had a good few winners with Joseph Tuite. I have a lot of time for this trainer. This handler from Great Shefford, Berkshire, has six two year olds in training. The stable's youngsters can go well on debut and worth noting in the betting, if supported.
Silver Springs is likely to be a non runner so analysis will not be given.
Conclusion: Interesting race in its own way with all horses having some aspects worth noting. Taexali is difficult to assess with not only early-season form but coming across the Irish sea. That was most likely a fair race with regard to prize money and he showed speed before tiring. On breeding this colt may need further and a marked difference in going is a question mark. Jet Setting was beaten by a potentially class colt on debut and time may tell those placed are up to winning standard. I wouldn't back Mustn't Grumble as the stable's juveniles have been poor beyond the Brocklesby fourth. The two outsiders do have aspects of interest and at huge odds may figure if this race if no more than average. A watching brief.
An EBF Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f 59y on good to soft ground. Four colts, three fillies, including two debutantes. By all accounts an average-looking race with one or two juveniles of interest.
Not much form to pick between the lines. Just Marion shaped well on debut behind a very exciting prospect in Richard Hannon's Tiggy Wiggy. The field were strung out and in many respects the winner made the opposition look moderate. However, at times, what may look a poor contest can often prove deceiving. David Evans fielded five two-year-olds at Kempton, among these the second, third & fourth. Today's runner, finished a creditable third. With the second and fourth both proving fair juveniles it gives this daughter of Bushranger claims and certainly sets the standard for others to achieve. This Irish-bred filly, out of an unraced mare, cost 10,000euros at the yearling sales. The horse to beat.
Another horse to have raced twice is Chester Deal. This Jo Hughes' trained son of Multiplex is part owned and bred by Chester Racing Club Ltd. He is half-brother to Marilyn Marquessa who was a speedy sort but limited. The mare didn't manage to win but this bay colt is a good-looking type for this grade. This March foal has been speculative odds on both starts but shown promise. To be fair he has been in a couple of fair maidens. The Leicester race has yielded winners in Flyball & Burtonwood, while others have run well to prove the form has substance. Chester Deal ran well on his second start when done no favours by a wide draw. The winner and runner-up have potential, and finishing 5th was no disgrace. The most significant pointer about this colt is the way he has finished his races after being comprehensively outpaced in the early stages. Inexperience proves costly at times but this youngster would be more suited by six furlongs. This extended five on more testing ground is likely to help and I would expect Chester Deal to finish with purpose. It's a shame this race is only two places as I would be confident of him making the frame at each way odds. Could go well.
Jet Mate cost 35,000gns, purchased and trained by William Muir. He is half-brother to Sorella Bella, who attained Listed & Group 1 placed status with Mich Channon. This January foal was well backed on debut at Lingfield (7/1SP) but a terribly slow start proved costly and no chance thereafter. Muir tries blinkers for the first time, which could well bring about a more professional run. That debut is best ignored and the betting is the best guide. If fancied it would bring more hope but a horse best watched unless seriously backed.
Majenski was well backed when competing in the same maiden as Chester Deal. This bay colt, a son of Camacho out of a poor Irish-raced mare, was supported from odds of 25/1 - 8/1. This juvenile is a fine-looking horse, with size and strength. A slow start put pay to any chance. In truth, the jockey didn't press any buttons but neither did the horse improve its position. The betting is the best guide. If seriously backed and priced 13/2 & less I would expected a big run.
Nimble was a cheap yearling purchase, unfancied on debut, and showed little ability. Best watched.
Loretta Martin is a owned, bred & trained by Mick Channon. This grey daughter of Sixties Icon is out of an unraced mare. The betting is the best guide. The stable can win when their debutantes are fancied in the betting. However, being a fashionable stable in a small field there could be a chance this youngster is forced to be fancied in the betting. If particularly weak in the market I would take a watching brief.
Milton Bradley is represented by Chetan a 4,000gns yearling purchase out of a winning mare. This Irish bred comes from a stable which have very few two-year-olds and most progress with racing. Best watched.
Conclusion: By all accounts this looks a weak race on paper. Just Marion, Chester Deal & Loretta Martin are the most likely types. The two former noted look to hold fair claims with Just Marion best on form. Chester Deal would be my idea of a fair each way bet if three places had been available at an each way price. The softer the ground the better for this juvenile as he needs a test of stamina over this extended five furlong trip. Difficult to know what to think about Loretta Martin. If weak in the betting best watched. Majenski looks poor but if 13/2 & less sp could show marked improvement. Jet Mate is another who could be better than seen. If seriously backed would have a hope. A difficult race to asses until the betting tells its story. With two places I would take a watching brief but keep an eye on Majenski if seriously backed.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f 209y on good to soft ground. Eight two-year-olds take part: all colts bar one filly. Most juveniles are lightly raced in a field which features two debutantes. William Haggas has been in tremendous form this season and his youngsters have hit the ground running. Our Channel was fancied to go well on debut at Carlisle but a combination of inexperience and insufficient trip saw this son of English Channel staying on in eye-catching fashion, beaten by a couple of lengths. This American-bred colt was a breeze-up purchase for £33,000, racing in the silks of Abdulla Al Mansoori. This April foal will come on for that first start and enjoy this stiffer test of stamina on better ground. What really adds to the worth of this juvenile's hope is that Haggas has a superb statistical edge in a field where few look to pose any real threat. I would suggest that this horse, which has been as big at 3/1 on the exchanges, should be priced about 11/8. It would be no surprise to see him backed to favourite and an obvious chance to taste victory.
