Trackers And Eye-Catchers (August 29th)

I will start with State Patrol who after three runs still hasn’t put his best foot forward. The Richard Fahey colt turned up at Nass last Sunday hoping to take away some of the 80.000 euro prize money, I did have my doubts that the trip was too short and so it proved as he ran on late again. It’s definitely frustrating as I’m sure he can win over further but I can’t wait forever. Royal Musketeer is a Charlie Hills colt owned by Mr Ziad A. Galadari who is a tracker I mentioned for a race at Haydock at the beginning of August but was a non runner. I wasn’t expecting him to be 17/2 at Chelmsford on Saturday but hey I was well-happy as Royal Musketeer held on to win by a nose from the nice Richard Hannon colt Dewey Road. 

I was really pleased with HICKORY who I noted down as a potential bet on Monday night after looking through my notes and statistics. The James Fanshawe Free Eagle colt was a 125,000 gns purchase at the Tattersalls 2019 October Yearling Sale out of Book 3 and was a 20/1 shot which was to good of a price to leave, fast-forward to race time on Tuesday the 20/1 had evaporated, and he was as short as 7/1. I really hope someone actually saw my Twitter post and threw a few quid on as Hickory despite being slow out the stalls quickened up nicely to win by over a length with the impressive Tom Marquand in the hot seat. Things didn't quite go to plan with my next fancy as I really needed some support for H Bomb to stand any chance, It really does help to check that stats out when betting as pretty much most of the time the stats don’t lie. H Bomb was a 33/1 shot at race time and according to the stats in maiden and novice 2-year-old races Karl Burkes last winner over 33/1 was back in 2017 when Capla Dancer won at Ripon and was a huge 66/1, I really should have waited till closer to the race but that’s the gamble I took and H Bomb trailed in towards the back. IL Bandito was one I thought I had in the bag but was collared close home by the nice looking Michael Dods colt Northern Express. Last but not least a short priced winner for one of my eye-catchers when the Ralph Beckett trained Patient Dream won at Lingfield.  

EYE-CATCHERS 

CONQUERING EAGLE is a Lope De Vega bay colt for the Andrew Balding yard. Purchased by owners PDR Properties & Apollo Racing at the 2019 Orby Sale for 120,000 euros. Conquering Eagle was a 66/1 shot on debut in a pretty nice looking maiden at Sandown last Sunday, he wasn't the best away by far but looked professional and knew his job. Rob Hornby crept up on the rail but Conquering Eagle was never really put in the race and stayed on steadily without threatening. I really hope the champion jockey is booked for his next outing and it would be even better at Kempton but that could be wishful thinking on my part.

BELLISSIME is a No Nay Never filly trained by Kevin Ryan and owned by Mrs R G Hillen and Partner who was purchased at the 2020 Goffs Arqana & Breeze Up Sale for £150,000. Kevin Ryan seriously knows the time of day and wouldn't have stuck Bellissime in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York for her debut if he didn't think she was a nice type. Bellissime was slowly into stride and outpaced before making headway towards the end of the race. Really looking forward to her next run and hopefully she can progress after that promising debut. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.