A good few races so I will detail a few live chances as I review:
2:00 Ayr - Ontoawinner racing syndicate do well with their two-year-olds. Tabikat Elle has been mentioned in dispatches. This daughter of Showcasing wasn't overly fancied on debut and needed the experience. In fairness, that may have been a tougher race that it looked on the day. I'd expect this chestnut filly to be more professional today - looking a progressive type physically. The betting is key. If starting 13/2 & less SP I'd give her decent each-way claims. If weak in the betting take a watching brief.
6:00 Thirsk - Interesting to see Kevin Ryan's Laughton making a quick return after disappointing at Haydock over 6f. That was a decent race and perhaps his defeat simply showed this colt's limitations. However, this son of Acclamation is held in high regard at home and may appreciate this drop back to the minimum trip. It does give the impression he didn't show his running last time out. It's last chance saloon as a betting proposition. The classic easy winner or dismal loser. I'll take a watching brief, such is my nature.
6:30 Thirsk - Quite a restricted race type which gives preference to form horses. Dark Confidant is a consistent horse who travels well over 7f. I had an each-way bet on this juvenile last time out. This son of Royal Applause ran well, touched odds-on in-running, before tiring in the final half furlong. It was a respectable effort. Guest's charge will run there about and should hit the frame. I would try to lay my bet in-running at shorter odds, as he may well lead.
Midnight Macchiato would get the nod. This son of Dark Angel wasn't fancied on debut at Doncaster but run well to finish fourth of eleven. The stable rate this youngster and he should go well. At 5/2 [written Sunday evening] there isn't too much fat on the butcher's pencil so may be the type to put in an each-way double/treble if you feel like a dabble. Decent win and place claims if odds allow.
Small ew treble
Fair win double Tabikat Elle & Midnight Macchiato [bet late to make sure the former is in best betting guide, if not, no bet)
Tabikat Elle - Dismally poor
Spanish City is well regarded by Roger Varian. This home bred chestnut son of Exceed And Excel is out of a Listed-winning mare, placed at Group 3. He has been given a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) and Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) entry which suggest big plans. Although betting on debutantes can be like playing with fire I would take these as positives and expect a big run. If available at each-way odds is worth a small bet. Win or lose you will be hearing more of this colt. (Withdrawn 7/1)
3:40 Thirsk - Ribbing was sent off 3/1 joint favourite at Kempton when 4th in what looked a hot maiden. The winner is top flight, while the second horse has come out and won since. A chestnut filly trained by David Simcock. This American-bred daughter of Distorted Humor cost 85,000GNS at the breeze-up sales. She has received an entry for the Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) - the only 2yo group entry given by the trainer this season. I would expect an improved performance. It's slightly disappointing this race has seven runner and only two places for each way bettors if touching those kind of odds. However, I would be surprised if Ribbing wasn't in the first two. (2nd 5/2)
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f on soft ground. Eleven two-year-olds take part: eight colts/geldings and three fillies. All juveniles are lightly raced bar one debutante, a filly representing Jim Goldie. A number of those once-raced are open to improvement. Koptoon hails from Tom Dascombe's Manor House Stables. This April foal ran well when making his debut at Goodwood over 6f on good-to-firm ground. This Irish bred son of Rip Van Winkle was not sold for 50,000EUR, when presented at the Arqana Deauville August Yearlings Sales 2013. This bay colt out of an unraced mare ran in a hot maiden featuring substantial win prize money, when making a bold show from a high draw. This good-looking colt was relatively unfancied in the betting at 14/1 and only lost by a couple of lengths after holding every chance at the furlong pole. With a high draw, I can see this youngster making a front-running bid for glory and as long as the testing ground doesn't hinder his performance looks a fair juvenile racing up north. For all the latest horse trainer news visit Horse Trainer Directory - it features every trainer website, blog & twitter link plus live trainer blogs.
An EBF Maiden Stake over one mile on good ground. A couple in this have an element of ability but Major Surprise looks to be a fair each way selection if prices are available. This American bred son of Hard Spun was well supported on debut at Kempton but didn't help his cause by pulling and a touch too keen. This bay colt was sold for $47,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sales, then not sold at a recent breeze up for £19,000. The Burke stable know how to train their juveniles and I this February foal is likely to improve from that initial start and a more professional display is expected.
