2:20 Salisbury Racing Tips (12th Aug) BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MOLSON COORS MAIDEN STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

An exciting race. A few talking horses with plenty to say. I keep schmoozing about our top website Group Horse, which details the best two-year-olds in training. Well, if you had been keeping track of the the entries - building a picture of ability - you would be very interested in a few of these potential stars of the future.

A EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f on good to firm going. This looks a hot race. Why? Well, for starters we have a couple of stat' horses running who will set a fair level for these talented debutantes to strive. 

Andrew Balding has been in pretty average form with his juvenile string this season, giving the impression they have a problem or two, but even saying that I would take note of their youngsters second start. Dark Shot was relatively fancied in a good maiden at Ascot. The win prize money was over £12,000 which is more than some Listed races. This son of Acclamation ran well beaten four-lengths after showing pace. Balding doesn't have the best strike rate here but this is a touch misleading. In general, his horses run well and often hit the frame. In addition, John Smith [owner] likes this course. The betting is key and with such competition this home bred will need to have something going for it to be priced 9/1 & less SP. If this bay colt is in that betting guide, I'd expect him to be placed if not win. If weak in the betting, take a watching brief. 

One of the major debutantes is Taneen, trained by Roger Varian. This American son of Speightstown is held in high regard at Kremlin House Stables. Owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, he cost $350,000 at the Keeneland September Sales 2014. A string of flashy Group entries details this February foal has ability. The dogs have been barking a couple must have escaped by the betting - priced fractional odds-on. Varian has a decent string of two-year-olds to measure this colt and if he starts at shorts odds it will take a mighty effort to beat him. 

To throw a little more fuel on the fire Henry Candy makes a return to this course with Vibrant Chords who was headed in the final stride and in many ways a winner without a penalty. That may not have been the strongest of races but this handler is tough to beat with two-year-olds on their second start. If priced 13/2 & less SP has sound win and place claims.

An outsider who could well be a threat is Zhui Feng. Amanda Perrett doesn't have many two-year-olds and by all accounts a poor strike rate with debutantes. That probably has much to do with the 16/1 available with bookmakers (may touch huge odds on exchanges). This son of Invincible Spirit has ability. He cost a whopping 340,000GNS when purchased by Peter & Ross Doyle, now racing in the familiar colours of John Connolly. It is worth noting that Perrett has started a few of her top juveniles here. Could be a surprise package and go well at big odds. 

Conclusion: A competitive race - without doubt. The two form horses: Dark Shot & Vibrant Chords have good win and place claims but crucially need to be in their best betting guides to threaten. If not, best watched. The betting will be very informative to the two above as it will the whole field. Taneen is held in high regard and from experience I know these horses, when strong in the market, take some beating. The downside is that any debutante can be ring rusty and it is a matter of opinion whether you want to take such short odds.Taneen is the horse to beat and you may be a brave soul to punt others against him. Zhui Feng is interesting at speculative odds. Perrett doesn't inspire as a trainer of debutantes but they can win. Horses of ability can defy the most crushing statistics. There is enough evidence to suggest this colt is held in some regard and most likely be winning this season. If touching big prices I'd have a bet but rather than going in each way have a point on Taneen and Zhui Feng. I can imagine connections of a good few here thinking this is a tougher race than they expected. I would take the favourite and outsider to go well in this competitive heat           
  

2:40 Salisbury Racing Tips (3rd May) BETFRED "RACING´S BIGGEST SUPPORTER" FILLIES´ CONDITIONS STAKES

A Fillies' Conditions Stakes over 5f  on firm going. Six two year olds take part: three raced, including two debut winners, and a trio on their race course bow . Interesting that the winners carry no penalty for winning at class 5, while those making their race course debutes have a three pound allowance. Both winners have been entered to run in the Lily Agnes (6th May), which they are unlikely to compete [although you can never quite tell with David Evans]. 

Last year this race was won by Tiggy Wiggy [pictured] on her second start after an effortless victory at Kempton on the first day of the 2014 Flat season. Her greatest achievement - from a string of wins - came when taking the Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1). Ultimately, crowned Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Filly. An exceptional talent.  

Great Page will start a short priced favourite after a stylish debut win at Windsor two weeks ago. This bay filly was made market leader that day and although it was seemingly a lowly race judge by class I could well turn out to be a fair juvenile contest. There were a number of nice physical specimens, which says something as fillies look good, bad and ugly. This Irish bred daughter of Roderic O'Connor ran well, held up just off the page, which was set by one of today's opposition, a good number too keen throughout the race. Middleham Park Racing will be holding their breath in hope she can emulate last year's victress. It is never wise to limit the talent of a winning thoroughbred. Great Page showed ample promise at Windsor and if aspiration of Royal Ascot are to be realised she will need to win well. 

Hannon has a second representative, Illuminate, a debutante sired by Zoffany out of an unraced mare. She was purchased at the yearling sales by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock for £95,000. This bay filly is in the ownership Denford Stud. Hannon has been known to pull a few aces from his sleeves when it comes to talented ''second strings'' turning up to spoil the party of favourite backers. It is unlikely to be the case today but if seriously backed take note.

John Bridger isn't known for training two year olds and those which could be termed as talented are very very few. Wait long enough and a good horse may come along, I can imagine connections hold those thoughts about Stormflower. This daughter of Arcano may have been a cheap yearling purchase at 4,200GNS. She looks a good purchase. A filly with size and scope to progress with racing, her Achilles' heal was her delight in pulling for the majority of the race. Make no mistake, this juvenile has ability and if learning to settle could make her presence felt. The betting will be skewed because Great Page gave his April foal a fair beating. In addition, being trained by what some would consider a ''less fashionable stable'' she could well be tagged as the outsider of the field. Stakes races can be competitive affairs - you can never quite tell who is eyeing-up the prize. If huge odds are available on the exchanges I'd be tempted to have a small bet and try and lay at considerably sorter odds in-running. Interesting.

David Evans is a shrewd trainer who knows the strength and weakness of his juveniles. Nag's Wag is an Irish bred daughter of Approve and purchased cheaply by the trainer at the yearling sales. This January foal wasn't fancied in the betting on debut at Bath but showed a professional attitude, always in front rank and battled to regain the lead in the closing stages. That was a very restricted race type which may hold the form down. The second that day - Rogue's Gallery - was second next start but it was a similarly race type, although the winner is fair. Once again, it is difficult to limit a winning horse. On balance, I would imagine Nag's Wag is set a fair test by the likely favourite. 

Charlie Hills has sent out a couple of two year olds to date and it is interesting Komedy is starting her career at stakes class. It is probably a sign his daughter of Kodiac will be victorious this formative season. She is half-sister to Jane's Memory, trained by Rae Guest, who has been placed at Group 2. Komedy cost 70,000eur at the yearling sales. The betting is the best guide and if priced 13/2 & less has fair win and place claims.

Sixties Sue is trained by Mick Channon, who has been relatively quiet this early season. This daughter of Sixties Icon is out of a mare similarly trained and full sister to Scargill who wasn't the best talent but a gritty character winning twice at plating class. Sixties Sue cost 40,000gns at the yearling sales. The betting is the best guide. If priced over 8/1 I would take a watching brief. 

Conclusion: A fascinating race. Stakes race can often seem predictably straight forward - other times an enigma. Great Page could well start 1/2f. She sets the standard and after a stylish debut could be earmarked for Roayl Ascot. She is a good-looking filly and with Tiggy Wiggy winning this race last punters will have a bee in their bonnet. The horse to beat but not one I would back at odds-on. Nag's Wag didn't win a great race on debut but win she did. On balance, I would consider she has something to prove but it pays to respect a winner. The debutantes are best watched, especially if priced outside 13/2 SP. Stormflower is one of those horses that excites and traumatises in equal measure when betting. John Bridger may have a horse with an element of ability but will she pull keenly as seen on debut? That wouldn't help her cause. She has pace and if stealing an easy lead could take some catching. If touching fancy odds on the exchanges she must be worth a small bet and try to lay your stake in-running and hope the wind is blowing in the right direction. Being beaten by Great Page predicts she could be over priced [contrast theory]. It would be a speculative punt at 20/1+.     

1:45 Salisbury Racing Tips (1st October) FRANCIS CLARK BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (Bobis Race) (Div I) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

An EBF Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds over one mile on good ground. Eleven juveniles take part: colts, one gelding and solitary filly. Six lightly-raced horses with a handful of debutantes from leading stables. Andrew Balding is a superb trainer and his youngsters are worthy of note on their second start. Brandon Castle is an Irish-bred son of Dylan Thomas out of Galileo mare, trained by Mick Channon. This 30,000gns yearling was purchased by the trainer from the Tattersall's October Sale 2013. This bay colt was relatively fancied on debut butin experience proved costly. On the positive side, there was much promise in that initial performance. The form of that race is nothing out of the ordinary but this February foal should improve a good deal for that first start. The betting is important and money is always a worthy of note. If featuring single odd starting price I would give this individual decent win and place claims. 

2:30 Newcastle - Alnashama (strong place claims)

2:10 Salisbury Racing Tip (29th June) BATHWICK TYRES EBF STALLIONS BLAGRAVE MAIDEN STAKES (Bobis Race)

A maiden race over 6f 212y on good to firm ground. Ten colts/geldings, equal number of raced and debutantes. It's always good to promote smaller trainers and great to see Philip Hide with a handsome colt in the shape of Classic Villager. This son of Authorize out of a group-raced mare is a physical specimen with size and strength, a deep-chested bay colt who cost 80,000gns at the yearling sales, racing in the silks of Fung Lok Li. This February foal may have been sent off at odds of 33/1 when making his debut at Sandown but he was always travelling and if not been short of room in the closing stages could well have proved victorious. The third and fourth have franked the form and Hide's youngster is likely to be primed for a big run today. Being a smaller, less fashionable, trainer this horse may start at slightly bigger odds than expected and although there are a couple of fancied juveniles at the head of betting looks a decent each way selection.    

2:40 Salisbury (5th September) Free Horse Racing Tips

An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 6f 212y on good to firm ground. Twelve two-year-olds take part: eight with experience, four debutantes. A field of horses hailing from leading stables with a good purse. There could well be a few talents on show. By all accounts this could prove a tricky race to call after noting market support for a couple of debutantes and a number of form horses which look up to the standard of winning most run-of-the-mill maidens. The winner of this contest will have aspirations of loftier targets. William Muir doesn't have many juveniles in his string but needs little introduction for a talented trainer of fillies, exemplified by the likes of Purr Along who regularly contests Group 1. Alys Love started her career at Goodwood, which is a positive for the Muir yard. It was a significant pointer that this daughter of New Approach was backed to a starting price of 7/1. This January foal cost 35,000gns when purchased by the vendor before her first birthday. Out of a multiple-winning mare, she races in the familiar silks of Usk Valley Stud. These patrons have owned a number of winners over the years and hold high hopes this bay filly will progress to be a talent. A Shadwell Fillies' Mile (Group 1) entry is a positive. She was never going to be given a hard race on debut and inexperience, plus an insufficient trip, saw her trailing the field. Martin Dwyer took his time, although she never looked happy on the course, rolling about the undulations. However, she knuckled down in the closing stages to give connections promise for the future. This step up in distance is certain to see a brighter performance. The stable have a fair record with their runners second start, especially if fancied in the betting. It would certainly bring further encouragement if starting single-figure odds. This looks a tough race to win but if priced 15/2 & less sp could have fair win and place claims. 

2:20 Salisbury (15th Salisbury) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Auction Stakes over 6f 212y on good ground (good to firm in places). Twelve juveniles take part, including three horses who make their debut. Henry Candy is a superb trainer and Warrendale caught the eye on debut at Newbury when fancied in the betting. This bay filly, a daughter of Three Valleys, was purchased by her trainer at the yearling sales for £16,000. She is out of a winning, robust, mare who raced over one hundred times in a lengthy career. This March foal could well have won on her racecourse bow but for a terribly slow start which left her with a mountain to climb. However, she touched short odds in-running after travelling smoothly only to tire in the closing stages. The form of that race has been a little patchy but Candy's two-year-old looks the type to improve for an absence of over fifty days. This extra furlong is likely to suit and running in a similar race type to last time should see a bold show. Perhaps the biggest negative is a relatively wide draw although running a little off the rail didn't seem a disadvantage here yesterday. Ideally, Warrendale would make a great each way selection although the betting on the exchanges gives the impression that will be unlikely. Time will tell and if support comes for one or two there may just be a chance. A confident candidate for a place and live hope for the win. 

5:30 Salisbury (31st August) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Auction Stakes race over 6f on soft ground.

Testing conditions for this field of nine runners with just over half with racing experience. 

The strangely named Squeeze My Brain has a fine chance today. This breeze-up purchase costing 30,000gns is one of the cheaper buys for Quatar Racing Limited. This daughter of Lawman ran in a strong maiden over 7f at Goodwood when finishing sixth. She was rather keen in the early stage and only tired in the final hundred yards. Dropping back in distance shouldn't be a problem on this testing ground and I would expect a bold show. Ralph Beckett has a great strike rate at this course and that initial experience will be invaluable on what could be a tough task for many of the debutantes.

''This sounds dangerous - 
but...
 Squeeze My Brain To Win''

Richard Hannon is double handed here. The stable are always to be respected with their two-year-olds and Salisbury has been a good hunting ground in its time. Lilbourne Eliza is partnered by Richard Hughes who looks to have a firm hold on the jockeys' championship. Clearly his father-in-law will be doing his best to help pave the way to success and while this daughter of Elusive City could well be the better of this pair it never pays to be too dogmatic with this stable. 

Their other representative, Ottauquechee, has started big odds in a couple of stiff maiden over 7f at grade one courses. This bay filly has been far from disgraced although a little difficult to assess. This is a drop in class and you would have to imagine connections will expect a more purposeful effort today. 

Of the others with form, Marchwood has been on the sidelines for over one hundred days. This son of Assertive has been consistent if not limited to some degree. He is a fair-looking juvenile and Stan Moore knows how to get the best out of his youngsters. You have to consider he  may have suffered an injury to be away from the track for over three months. The betting will indicate his well being and a major drift in the market would ring alarm bells. On balance, he needs to have progressed to have a fighting chance. I would rather take a watching brief and re-assess thereafter.

Astrum needs to be transformed by the application of the first-time blinkers. This grey gelding was quite a costly purchase for the Millman's at 30,000gns. He looked unfit when running over course and distance and although this stable often go well with juveniles on their second start it doesn't look the most alluring of bets.

Keene's Pointe is another juvenile who needs to sprout wings. John Hills has been noted as sending some of his better juveniles to race at Windsor on debut and they often go well on their second start. However, unless this son of Avonbridge disappointed at Bath he is best watched. 

Of the debutantes, Russian Royale is worthy of note for trainer Stuart Kittow. This bay filly is a home bred but was sent through the sales ring to qualify for such races, which is often a clever move by connections. Kittow has a small string of two-year-olds but he is a talented handler and they can run big races on debut. His juveniles usually show signs of inexperience but finish their races with relish.

Could go well at a price and hit the frame.

Another trainer who can win with his debutantes is David Simcock. Breton Rock was entered to run at Yarmouth but withdrawn on the day so should be fit and ready. If priced 13/2 & less he has fair win and place claims.

Delwyn was a cheap purchase and trained by Marcus Tregoning. The stable do not feature the best strike rate with juveniles making their racecourse bow and best watched.


Conclusion: Testing ground will make this a slog and experience will been a positive. I like Squeeze My Brain who ran in a strong maiden where the form has been franked a number of times. Beckett does well at this course and this drop in distance shouldn't be a problem. I can see this youngster making a bold bid from the front and it will take a fair sort to beat her. The betting will be the best guide to the chances of Lilbourne Eliza. It would be significant if she started favourite. I am not keen on Marchwood who needs to progress to figure and has question marks after a lengthy absence. Russian Royal could go well at a price but may have to settle for a place at best. Breton Rock would have claims if priced 13/2 & less. 

2:20 Salisbury (27th June) Free Horse Racing Tips

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f on good ground.

Fair prize money on offer and potentially a competitive race.

Andrew Balding has a fine record with his two-year-olds at Salisbury and *Marishi Ten has a proven a level of form. This bay filly, a daughter of Invincible Spirit, cost 70,000euros at the yearling sales and held in some regard by connections. She started her career in a competitive Newbury Conditions Stakes. In the able hands of Liam Keniry, we saw a superb debut effort against a field of talented fillies. There is little doubt this youngster will be winning before too long, if not today. Balding's juveniles often improve for the experience and a bold show should be expected.

*Flirtinaskirt is a very early foal, born in January. This daughter of Avonbridge was unfancied in the betting when competing in a fillies' maiden at Leicester over 5f. Make no mistake that was a good race and an even better performance considering it was her first start. The winner, Mary's Daughter, may have been a 50/1 shot but she went on to compete at Royal Ascot's Albany Stakes (Group 3). Ed McMahon is one of my favourite trainers and he is someone you can rely upon to hit the mark. The stable's two-year-olds have been in good form of late and there could be improvement to come. On that Leicester form, she has the ability to win a race but this is tough, especially with Marishi Ten on the prowl.

The last of the experienced juveniles is Jollification. This bay filly, trained by George Baker, was fancied to go well on debut at Thirsk but wasn't best suited by a wide draw. The form of that race has been franked. The fourth, Ighraa, was beaten by Flirtinaskirt which suggests Jollification is held. It is possible she could improve and the betting is probably the best indicator. If priced 13/2 & less (unlikely) I would expect a much-improved performance.

Although the debutantes hail from top-notch trainers they will need to be pretty smart to win over this minimum trip.

Red Four is a relatively cheap purchase with breeding which suggests a stiffer test of stamina is needed. George Baker doesn't feature the best win rate on debut best watched.

Ralph Beckett does well at this course and he is one trainer who can win with debutantes at speculative-priced odds. City Girl, a daughter of Elusive City, is worthy of respect, especially if backed. However, I would take a watching brief.

The betting will be the best guide to Contradict (130,00gns), Hayyona (145.000gns) & Everleigh. Each hold fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less. However, they will need to be primed to win.

Conclusion: It isn't beyond the realms a debutante could win. Such fashionable, top-notch trainers must always be respected. The betting will be the best guide to their chances. However, it will take a smart juvenile to prevail on its racecourse bow and I would favour the those with race experience. Marishi Ten has the most proven form and looks capable of winning an average maiden without much trouble. She could well improve which would make her a tough nut to crack. Similarly, Flirtinaskirt ran a stormer at Leicester. Ed McMahon has his juveniles in good form and his youngsters often go well on their second start. If price allows, both would make decent each way bets.  

*NR: Flirtinaskirt, Marishi Ten (pretty much ruined this race analysis with these two withdrawn)

As the 2:20 Salisbury post has been undermined by non runners I will add one of our popular Yankeeyou (all my selections). I am pretty confident this will show a profit :-)