2:40 Haydock Racing Tips (6th August) BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 5) (2yo)

Busy. Busy. Busy. Feel as though I've been stuck on an escalator and some nutter found a go-fast button just to give me grief. Clearly no amount of work is going to stop me detailing more juicy peaches of wonderment. 

Quite a big field for this maiden. Laughton ran well enough on debut behind a talent in Wayward Hoof. Kevin Ryan's bay colt, a son of Acclamation, will be primed today and I can confirm this two-year-old is high in the pecking order at Hambleton. A good bet if touching each-ways prices but that does seem a touch optimistic (time will tell). 

Spanish City could be a strong challenger from Roger Varian's stable. Their juveniles have been a little disappointing and I'm sure their string isn't as strong as previous years. This chestnut colt is held in high regard. He held an entry for the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2), Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) & Middle Park Stakes (Group 1). That list brings confidence.

This home bred was meant to run the other week but withdrawn. It is worth noting that day the colt was extremely weak in the betting. That may simply have been due to the word getting out he was to be withdrawn but it is worth considering. Varian's charge will need to be primed to beat Laughton who has valuable race experience. I would certainly watch the betting just in case there is a weakness. Conversely, this may be good reason for bettors to take the earlier prices on Laughton. I respect Spanish City but whether I want to take 2/1 [at time of writing] against Ryan's talent I'm not so sure. Interesting. I'd be looking for an each way bet on Laughton, if available. 

6:35 Newcastle - Bryan Smart is a talented trainer and Extortion ran well when finishing second on debut at Redcar. This American bred colt was a cheap foal at 5,000gns, withdrawn as a yearling. This home bred was most likely sent through the sales to gain entry to these limited races. Strong win and place claims if each-way prices are available.  

6:50 Sandown - Seven lightly raced or unraced two-year-olds. Couple of interesting horses: Shahbar & Brorocco. The former is trained by Marco Botti for Al Shaqab Racing and an expensive yearling purchase at 320,000gns. He ran a fine race when second on debut at Leicester over 6f. Stepping up to one mile should see improvement. One of the best juveniles at Prestige Place. The downside, there is little meat on the bone at 8/11. Brorocco is trained by Andrew Balding for the Kingsclere Racing Club. This home bred has been going well at home. It should be noted that Balding's two-year-olds just don't seem to be running well, especially the debutantes, many of which have disappointed when relatively fancied in the betting. Their youngsters can go well when priced 10/1 on debut. However, I would have to take a watching brief until the stable hits form. 

2:40 Haydock    - Laughton - strong each-way claims 5th (disappointed)
6:35 Newcastle  - Extortion - strong win and place claims 4/1 2nd (drifted across track)
6:50 Sandown   - Shahbar  - worth a bet if 1/1 1st 

Small ew treble 

2:30 York (21st August) Pinsent Masons LLP Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

Six two-year-olds take part in this contest over 7f on good ground for a win prize of just over £34,000. This small but select field of juveniles sees one filly taking on a number of talented colts from leading trainers. Last year's winner, Dundonnell, went on to prove himself a class horse for Roger Charlton racing at Group 1. 

Godolphin have been in fine form with their two-year-olds this season. First Flight, a home bred son of Invincible Spirit out of a lightly-raced mare, made a sparkling debut at Newbury over 6f. This January foal was well backed but so tardy from the stalls that he looked a forlorn hope - but nothing could halt this bay colt as he powered home for a comfortable victory. The form of that race is probably nothing out of the ordinary but many were impressed by that display. This step up in distance will be to his advantage and from a wealth of horses it speaks well Saeed Bin Suroor sends this youngster to race at this higher level. 

Another colt with an unblemished career is The Grey Gatsby. This big, imposing, chestnut colt caught the eye of many pundits with a determined finish over 6f at York, beating another of today's contestants, Brazos. This son of Mastercraftsman was a 120,000euro breeze-up purchase from Arqana Saint-Cloud, out of a winning mare. This Irish bred is held in the highest regard by Kevin Ryan and entered for multiple Group-class races, including the Dewhurst Stakes & Racing Post Trophy (Group 1). Graham Lee keeps the ride and there should be ample improvement from that initial start. Potentially, a class horse.

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As mentioned, Brazos was deprived of his first win at the hooves of The Grey Gatsby when looking to hold every chance. Clive Brittain's grey colt, a son of Clodovil, is a handsome specimen who will not be disgraced at pattern class his long-term aim the Middle Park Stakes (Group 1). Never a man to shy away from competition, Brittain plunged this juvenile in the deep end when suffering a narrow loss on debut at Stakes level. However, his luck changed when winning a big-money maiden at Goodwood, in a tight finish. On balance, this horse looks to have more speed than stamina so it will be intriguing to see how he compares with The Grey Gatsby over this extra furlong. Preference would be given to his old adversary.

Of the others, Il Paparazzi has done rookie trainer Daniel Kubler proud. This son of Royal Applause ran well when making his racecourse bow then a sparkling display over course and distance. Without question, that was a tidy performance. However, it could well be that race fell apart at the seams and this could well prove a stiff task. A horse deserving of respect but others make more appeal.

Treaty Of Paris hails from one of my favourite trainers [Henry Candy] and a consistent horse. Although beaten by a smart horse last start, this looks a tall order and best watched.

A similar story can be told for the only filly in the field, Lady Lara. She has been set a difficult task starting her career in the Albany Stakes (Group 3) at Royal Ascot. This daughter of Excellent Art showed her well-being when finishing 6th in the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes (Group 3). Alan Jarvis takes the bold step to take on the boys. 

Conclusion: A fascinating race with a selection of talented juveniles. By all accounts this looks a three-horse race with First Flight, The Grey Gatsby & Brazos holding the aces. Il Paparazzi deserves respect but still has something to prove. Saeed Bin Suroor has a string of talented juveniles and First Flight will improve markedly for his debut and stepping up in distance. The Grey Gatsby is a good-looking colt. He has the physical stature of an old-fashioned horse and very much at the top of the tree of Ryan's two-year-olds. I would give this youngster the nod. A race to savor. 

5:40 Wolverhampton (Thursday, 7th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Stakes over 5f 20y. Eight horses take part, including one debutante. By all accounts this looks out of three horses with the rest of the field unlikely winners.

Top Boy, trained by Derek Shaw, is a bonny gelding. This son of Exceed And Excel always caught the eye and he is a good-looking bay. Shaw purchased this horse as a yearling from Tattersalls for 42,000gns. Although a 14/1 shot on debut, he was held in some regard by connection but fluffed his lines that day trailing home last. He went close to winning second start when making impressive headway in the final furlong. In nine races to date he has had a number of stiff tasks at pattern class including the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) & Richmond Stakes (Group 2). The form of the latter race at Goodwood would make these horses look pretty ordinary opposition. At his best Top Boy is a talented horse who should win a race of this nature. Perhaps some would question why he has struggled to find victory, which in many ways is a fair comment. I don't think he is the most straightforward of characters and that does bring concerns when priced odds on. Another crucial factor is trying to assess the fitness of this gelding after completing his two-year-old career in September. Will he make a winning return? At best this will be a walk in the park. However, I would tread careful backing at short odds. 

Bapak Bangsawan is drawn on the inside of Shaw's horse and a speedy sort. If there is any jostling for position it might be the case Kevin Ryan's colt has the run of the race. I would be tempted to have an each way bet on Bapak Bangsawan if price allows and a lay in-running at short odds. A fascinating race.

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Conclusion: If Top Boy is primed for the day he could win this race in style. However, taking odds on would be a brave choice. Bapak Bangsawan is fit and ready for action and while no more than an average horse should hit the frame and may sneak a win if the favourite is ring rusty on this turning course. 


Note: pity to see Green Millionaire a non runner. Just a watching race.