2:00 Lingfield (12th April) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Auction Stakes over 5f. Ten two-year-olds take part: four colts/geldings against the fillies, three horses with form. This is a very restricted race type which is often on a par with plating class. 

David Evans has started the season with his traditional wave of juvenile runners. He is akin to Jack Berry of old and if he had a string of 50 youngsters he would be a force to be reckoned. 

Smugglers Gold had a forgetful debut over course and distance last month. This son of Majestic Missile was sent off favourite but you would have hardly believed it by his performance. This chestnut gelding was clueless on his racecourse bow and finished last. As detailed before, Evans had this youngster entered for the Brocklesby and that with being favourite gave encouragement the stable considered he had ability. That thought came to fruition when he led for most at Leicester when 22/1. Clearly the visor livened him up. It's interesting to see that the head gear has been removed here so his trainer must be convinced the penny has dropped. By all accounts he should have the speed to take advantage of the debutantes. It is never easy for newcomers to win on a turning course, which is much more difficult than a five-furlong straight. Smugglers Gold is probably no more than an average horse but he sets the standard. Care is needed at this time of year as the form is yet untested but he must have each way claims if prices allow.

Another form horse who may be worth a second glance is Brockholes Flyer. Brendan Powell isn't renowned as a two-year-old trainer but this horse was entered for the Brocklesby. He ran a so so race on debut but that was probably a fair contest for the grade, with Far Gaze winning well, while the fourth horse, Diamond Lady, had shown form. This son of Belmont has a wide draw which isn't ideal. However, he has valuable experience and may well sit handy. It is worth noting that these restricted races often include poor horses and why those with form are worthy of note. If drifting to speculative odds on the exchanges he could be worth a small win and place bet. 

The other form horse, Nomathemba, hails from David Evans stable, who also field a debutante. This bay filly was slowly away and outpaced. More is needed and unless substantially backed best watched.

Of the debutantes Bonnie Wee Lassie was purchased by Peter & Ross Doyle for £9,000 at the yearling sales. She is a half-sister to Bonnie Charlie who was a class two-year-old when trained by Richard Hannon, going close at Group class. It would be a surprise if this daughter of Exceed And Excel achieved such dizzy heights. There is one thing you can guarantee, this early foal is bred to be a sprinter. Hannon has such a record with his juveniles that it would be folly to ignore one of their representatives at such a lowly grade. The betting is probably the best guide. 

Stan Moore has been in flying form with his two-year-olds although his winners have come from horses on their second start. Kidmenot was a cheap purchase at £5,000. The stable do have debut winners but they do not have a very good strike rate. On breeding, this filly looks to need a stiffer test and it doesn't inspire confidence to see she has been entered to run at Selling grade. Best watched.

Robert Eddery is a talented horse trainer who can prime his juveniles to win on their racecourse bow. Red Oasis cost £11,000 and bred to be a sprinter. The dam was a determined multiple winner for Derek Shaw. A difficult horse to assess and unless well backed I would take a watching brief.

David Evans' debutante, *Under Your Thumb, is best watched unless substantially backed.

Weisse Girl has the application of the blinkers for her first start and is bred to need further. The stable have a poor strike rate with debutantes and I would look elsewhere unless well supported. 

A similar comment can be made for Flying Kyte & *Notnow Penny.

Conclusion: Make no mistake this is a restricted race and a good few of these juveniles will be racing in plating class before too long. People often forget these races are not fully-blown maidens. They are far from such a grade with  mix of talents. It doesn't mean good horses cannot win in such race types but it does limit the likelihood. Form counts for a lot in this grade and Smugglers Gold could be a much shorter price at the off if there is a major weakness in Bonnie Wee Lassie. Evans' youngster looks to have a great chance because this is a drop in class. His third at Leicester looks to give further hope. However, it must be noted that form is still untested. There is a gulf of difference between proven form and assuming. If touching an each way price he could be a fair bet. The most likely winner. Bonnie Wee Lassie was a cheap buy for a fairly well bred juvenile. It is difficult to assess Hannon's two-year-old. However, they can win on debut and the shorter the price the greater the chance. Brockholes Flyer may sneak a place and if available at huge odds could be worth a small each way bet. The stable don't inspire but that initial experience is a big factor. The other debutantes have to prove they have ability and unless substantially backed I would stick with the three named. 

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*NR

2:20 Leicester (Friday 5th April) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Stake over 5f 2y on good to soft ground. Seven two-year-olds compete, six colts, one filly, two horses with race experience. Mick Channon had great success last year with Sixties Icon who made his name as a sire of versatile offspring. 

Scargill was set a stiff task on debut when competing at Musselburgh. Mick's Yer Man won this stakes race after taking the Brocklesby in good style. Scargill was weak in the betting, which suggested he needed the run. I have little doubt the stable had few expectations that day. After a tardy start and showing sign of inexperience, this bay colt ran on with promise. The stable's juveniles can show marked improvement on their second start. The third horse, In tense Feeling, has since won a selling race. I would expect ample improvement. With only two places for each way backers, it slightly tempers enthusiasm although from a statistical point of view this horse has a leading chance. Clearly his fortunes rest very much dependent on the debutantes of which a couple could well prove dangers.

Richard Hannon fields his first two-year-old of the season. Beau Nash, an Irish bred son of Dandy Man, was purchase by Peter & Ross Doyle for £25,000 at the yearling sales. The stable have a good strike rate at this course. They have such a wealth of juveniles that if this youngster has ability it will win. If priced around 6/4f I would expect to see a bold performance.

Peterkin is a home bred son of Invincible Spirit out of a once-raced mare. It is difficult to assess Mark Johnston's debutantes because his two-year-old are either easier winners or poor losers, often at short prices. However, Leicester is a course they feature a healthy points profit and a recent stakes race entry suggests this colt has ability. I would rather take a watching brief.

Of the other debutantes, Cockney Bob is a very cheap yearling purchase at £500 for Stan Moore. This son of Cockney Rebel is out of a mare who won on debut and raced over fifty times. The stable have debut winners at a variety prices although I would take a watching brief.

Master Carpenter is a relatively expensive yearling purchase at £25,000. This chestnut colt is sired by a class horse [Mastercraftsman]. The mare didn't race until three and needed a trip so it is possible 6f would be more appealing. The major negative is that the stable struggle to win with their debutantes although James Millman has been quoted as saying it is their intention to have their two-year-old sharper this season. However, they are usually much better on their second start and likely to need the run.

Bill Turner has shown mixed form with his juveniles this season. Mick's Yer Man looks a fair two-year-old with two stakes wins under his belt but a few of their other runners have disappointed. Posh Bounty is the only filly in the field which could pose a problem against bigger stronger colts. In general, the stable do not feature as good strike rate on debut as people imagine. I would have to take a watching brief.

Last but not least is Smuggler's Gold, trained by David Evans. This is a fair-looking gelding who was sent off 3/1f when making his debut at Lingfield. The form of that race has been franked but this son of Majestic Missile wasn't ever competitive. He looked clueless and needs to be transformed from first to second start to figure here. It isn't beyond the realms he has ability because Evans had him entered to run in the Brocklesby, which is a positive sign. There must have been something about this gelding to start favourite on his racecourse bow so it may be foolish to consider this horse has no chance. If touching huge odds on the exchanges he may be worth a speculative bet because the money may come once more. Two-year-olds can improve beyond recognition from first to second start and even though you have to take a leap of faith stranger things have happened.

Conclusion: A difficult race to assess and the fact there are only seven runners makes an each way bet all the more frustrating. Scargill could improve markedly although he needs to be wiser for that start. Channon has a decent strike rate with juveniles on their second start and I an see this colt going well. Beau Nash could prove the main danger. The first two-year-old runner of the season for Richard Hannon. The shorter the price the greater the chance. Peterkin could go well but the stable are next to impossible to assess with their debutantes. In general, their better two-year-olds appear at the start of May. Cockney Bob, Master Carpenter & Posh Bounty are best watched. Smuggler's Gold looks hopeless but could improve and just might be worth a small wager at huge odds in the hope he is substantially backed.