An EBF Novice Stakes over 5f on good to firm going. Fair win prize money. Just four two year olds: two colts & two fillies, all with race experience bar one juvenile trained by Richard Fahey.
Last year this race was won by Ko Cache, trained by Keith Dalgleish. This filly was successful on her second start, not disgraced when unplaced in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot.
Gin In The Inn is unbeaten after a comfortable win at Leicester almost three weeks ago. This son of Alfred Nobel is a good-looking colt with some size and scope. There was a lot to like about that first effort where he traveled with ease and ran purposely to the line to win by two-and-a-half lengths. The form of that race has been franked to a point and this horse should take some beating. Interesting to see apprentice jockey Jack Garritty taking the ride from Hamilton who partners the stablemate. This is most likely to reduce the 5lb penalty for his first victory.
It's intriguing to see Richard Fahey has debutante filly Island Flame taking her chance at this grade. This daughter of Kodiac was purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales for just 6,000. It is interesting to note that Tony Hamilton takes the ride after winning on Gin In The Inn last start. It is most likely Fahey is racing this bay to pick up some easy prize money. The stable can ready a two year old for debut but this looks a tall order and best watched. Unless seriously backed, this filly is most likely second string.
Ravenhoe [pictured] is trained by Mark Johnston and won the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on the first day of the Flat turf season. This chestnut son of Bahmian Bounty was sent off 5/4f next start when competing at Newmarket in a Conditions Stakes race. Little went right that day when a slow start led to a myriad of problems. He done well to get as close as he did in receipt of a penalty and would have been second but wouldn't have hounded the easy winner Gifted Master trained by Hugo Palmer. This colt is a professional type who battles when asked. May have to play second fiddle to Gin In The Inn although he could well have the best form on offer to date.
Kystallite was noted before debut as she held a Scottish Brocklesby Stakes entry and backed for her first start at Wolverhampton. This daughter of Kheleyf looked primed to run a good race - knowing her job - but didn't help her cause pulling quite hard for a couple of furlongs. She held a lead out of the final bend but couldn't repel the stronger finish of Delizia. The Johnston stable could have a line with that form. This chestnut filly will need to have a touch of class to beat the colts and definitely need to settle. If pulling as seen on her debut it will make life hard work.
Conclusion: Island Flame will need to be smart to win this on her debut and best viewed as the Fahey second string. Unless very short in the betting, best watched. Krystallite is an attractive filly. She has ability but needs to settle. Even if more composed I would still favour the two - winning - colts. Ravenhoe is a battling type who isn't likely to roll over. He had no luck at Newmarket and he sets the standard on form. Gin In The Inn gets the vote although at the odds I would just watch and enjoy the race. He is a good-looking colt with size and scope. He traveled like a talented horse at Leicester and won just out of a canter. The form has been franked to a point and he could have destroyed that field if pressed. Gin In The Inn could be heading to Royal Ascot from here.
An EBF Conditions Stakes over 5f on good going. A decent prize. Seven two year olds take part: six colts and solitary filly. Mark Johnston fields Ravenhoe who won the Brocklesby Stakes by a short head.
Last year, this race was won impressively by debutante Mind Of Madness, trained by David Brown, racing in the lime-green silks of John Fretwell. This Irish bred son of Azamour was subsequently sold to Qatar Racing Ltd [pictured]. This two year old was kept busy with nine starts: finishing a superb second at Royal Ascot Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). Later noted efforts included winning the Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) at York. A talent these juveniles will do well to emulate.
Ravenhoe hails from Mark Johnston's Kingsley House Stable, which has proven a power this early season with winning debutantes from an increased string of almost 130 two year olds. This chestnut son of Bahamian Bounty, owned by David Able, was well backed for the Brocklesby Stakes, stealing the glory in a tight finish. The second [First Bombardment] wasn't disgraced in the Scottish Brocklesby. The form of that race looks fair. Experience counts against a field of debutantes and even with a 5lb penalty this juvenile sets the standard.
While winning experience gives good reason why this colt should take all the beating, it should be noted that horses entered or competing at stakes class are worthy of respect. It is often the case a trainer will pinpoint such a race type because they have ability. This race type shouldn't be viewed the same as a maiden - they can spring a surprise.
What are we to make of the debutantes? On first sight two or three horses hail from trainers who are class acts.
Karl Burke is a talented trainer. He has fielded a couple of two year olds this season but both have been weak in the betting - they are limited or needed the run. It could well be a significant pointer to see Haughmond making his debut at this class. Burke is a good judge and most stakes-entered juveniles achieve a win. This son of Kheleyf is out of an unraced mare. He was withdrawn from the Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale. However, this January foal was owned by Mrs M Burke (10th April), now racing in the silks of T & P Hockenhull. It is intriguing that this bay was bred by Mrs Ruth Hockenhull. The betting is the best indicator and if priced 13/2 & less has fair win and place claims.
Gifted Master has just turned two years old and trained by Hugo Palmer. Kremlin Cottage Stables had a fair mix of juveniles last season including Aktabantay who won the Solario Stakes (Group 3) at Sandown & New Providence, a consistent filly, who won the Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes (Group 3). Gifted Master is a bay son of Kodiac out of an unraced mare and cost 75,000GNS at the yearling sales. He races in the familiar silks of Dr Ali Ridha who is an established owner with a number of leading trainers. His best horse was the exceptional Dubai Surprise, trained by David Loder, placed at Group 1 level before being sold to Godolphin where it achieved further success. The stable done well last year with noted performers, which is an accolade for a relatively new trainer [started 2011]. In general, their two year olds progress with racing. Any talent can defy the stats. If priced 13/2 & less it would bring hope although I would take a watching brief.
City Of Stars is trained by Michael Appleby, who has done well with his horses over the last year and Appleberry a lovely filly far from disgraced when finishing fourth at Listed class. This Irish bred bay colt is from first season sire Lilbourne Lad out of a winning mare costing 33,000GNS at the yearling sales now in the ownership of L C Bacon [noted horse - Donny Rover]. On balance, the stable have limited/fair juveniles but this colt is best watched.
Nick Littmoden has a small string of horses but a respected trainer who knows a decent horse. Poplar is a bay colt sired by Hellvelyn out of a poor French mare. He was purchased by the trainer at the yearling sales at £24,000. The Franconson Partners & Nick Littmoden had similar lofty hopes last year with Tongue Twista who was tried at Group level although, perhaps, always slightly out of her depth. With connections starting Poplar here it would suggest they hold similar ambitions.
The only filly in this field - taking on the boys. Swirral Edge is a bay daughter of Hellvelyn out of a poor, sprinting mare. She was purchased by for £10,500 at the yearling sales and still in the ownership of Brown. This factor could be a slight negative. The stable have fair win and place claims when priced 13/2 & less. Considering Tribesman beat First Bombardment in the Scottish Brocklesby [who lost narrowly to Ravenhoe on debut] connections could have a line to what it takes to beat the favourite. The booking of Atzeni is questionable as he has ridden very few times for this yard. However, he may have been ideal to make the 8-4 weight. There could be a few negatives regarding this horse. They would be dispelled if fancied in the betting. If weak in the market I would not bet.
Salt Lake Sooty is sired by Arabian Gleam out of a poor mare. This grey colt wasn't sold when sent to the sales as a foal.Trainer Denis Quinn is based at Newmarket with just one two year old to race in the last five years. Noel Garbutt takes off a valuable 5lb. Best watched.
Conclusion: In many respects this is a one-horse race with Ravenhoe achieving a winning level of ability. Mark Johnston had a few candidates for this race and although the Brocklesby form may not be outstanding he sets the level and will take some beating. A 5lb penalty may be negated by the opposition being debutantes. The betting is the best guide for those making their racecourse bow. If Haughmond, Swirral Edge & Gifted Master are priced 13/2 & less they all have each way claims. Poplar and Salt Lake Sooty are best watched.
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.
