Here we go again, the 2yo season is back

Here we go again, the 2yo season is back! I have been a bit quiet but I'm hoping to post a bit more this season depending on time.

How fitting it is that the Brocklesby has been renamed after the legendary Bill Turner who won the race six times as a trainer. His daughter Kathy has taken over the licence and runs Nevernotrememberu the only filly in the field against the colts.

I’ve had a quick look at this years race and seems a few no hopers in my opinion of course, normally a fancied runner wins this race so personally I will be letting the betting settle and see any movers before parting with my cash that’s if I have a bet yet because let’s not forget this season is a marathon not a sprint and I find newcomers an absolute nightmare.

Interested to see the runners of Brazilian Robson Aguiar who has officially taken over from Adrain Murray this season and brings two over from Ireland in the Amo racing colours. Blixen Force is by first season sire Persian Force and on paper looks the part also the second string could be anything, bit of a guessing a game here but we know Amo target this race also Richard Hannon likes to turn up at the big meetings and the 68,000 gns Kodi Bear colt A Bear Affair could be involved in the finish.

The one who I think ticks a few boxes is the Ralph Beckett trained Naval Crown Colt Dance A Jig home-bred by owner Jeff Smith, related to plenty of winners and with Hector Crouch on board I may just have a small bet. Ralph doesn’t usually have many out this early so I’m hoping this is a good one, betting should be the key, definitely like to see money for DANCE A JIG. 

As always, good or bad I’ll be giving my thoughts on the 2yo racing this season, I’m far from an expert so if you follow don’t go mad because I won’t be for sure, I do enjoy the puzzle of working out 2yos and always have. 

Good look and bet safe.

Brocklesby Conditions Stakes 2022 (Pointers if you fancy a Bet)

First runner in the Brocklesby is a WINNER! great work from #teamWoodway to get Chipotle ready to win first time out. #winners https://t.co/H5fgif2Qb3

— Eve Johnson Houghton (@johnsonhoughton) March 27, 2021

The first big race of the year is the Brocklesby. It's not a race I would be getting involved in personally, debutantes drive me mad. We can all look through pedigrees but at the end of the day are they fully tuned for the first race of their career? I will mention a few pointers if you fancy a bet. The last filly to win the Brocklesby was Bill Turner's Sally's Dilemma back in 2008. Richard Fahey, Mark Johnston all target this race, Mick Channon another who could be a trainer worth looking out for after Izzer won for him in 2018 and Wonderful World finished second last year. Talking of last year, how good was the winner, Chipotle? I do love trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and she came up trumps with the Havana Gold gelding who has won four races to date and won £139,714 in prize money ending the season with an official rating of 101. This year's early declarations are as follows: 

First Declaration stage (19 entrants) 

1: BEACH BREEZE (Footstepsinthesand ex Miss Buckshot) Colt 

Trained by Charlie & Mark Johnston and purchased for 35,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales. Dam Miss Buckshot had three wins to her name, none over the minimum distance. Offspring include the James Tate trained Dream Shot who was a lovely type winning first time out and went on to finish second in the Listed Dragon Stakes. 

Stats and pointers: Mark Johnston has won this race twice with Ravenhoe in 2015 and The Last Lion in 2016 who was one of the most successful juveniles of his generation. Normally starts the season with a bang. Over 8/1 normally a negative. 

2: BLATANT (Brazen Beau ex Savanne Sauvage) Colt 

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and owners The Woodway 20 are back again after winning this last year with the superb Chipotle. The Brazen Beau colt was purchased for 20,000 gns at the Yearling Sales and is unraced dam Savanne Sauvages first foal. 

Stats and pointers: Doesn't have the largest string of 2yos but always comes up with a few nice ones. Over 10s a negative. Has a decent fto strike rate. 

3: CONFEDERATION (Brazen Beau ex My Angel) Colt 

Trained by John Butler and purchased for 9,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales. Dam average to say the least running four times for trainer Olie Pears in 2017. 

Stats and pointers: No first time out winners for trainer. Poor 2yo record 

4: CORAJI (Expert Eye ex Omneeya) Filly 

Trained by the excellent George Boughey. A cheap purchase at 6000 gns for first season sire Expert Eye. Dam Omneeya raced one season for Marco Botti, placing a few times. Half-sister to Pride Of Eight who won once over seven furlongs in Ireland last year. 

Stats and pointers: George had an excellent season last year with winners most months. Thunder Love was his first 2yo last season. Five furlongs was definitely his best distance. Anything over 10s is a negative. 

5: DUCHRAY (The Last Lion ex Duchess Dora) Colt 

Trained by Charlie & Mark Johnston. The bay colt was purchased as a foal for 16,000 gns. Dam Duchess Dora was a nice type for David Simcock winning seven times, loved to come off the pace over the minimum distance. Half-brother to the other Mark Johnston horse Red Mirage who won his first three races as a 3yo. 

6: EVOLICATT (Massaat ex Erica Bing) Filly 

Trained by David Evans who has tasted success in this race before. Dam Erica Bing wasn't a bad type for trainer Jo Hughes winning three times as a 2yo and contesting a few decent races. Offspring to Graftonat a disappointing gelding for Evans. 

Stats and pointers: Low strike rate with 2yos. April/May best months. Five furlongs best distance. Over 11s a negative. 

7: HONOUR YOUR DREAMS (Dream Ahead ex Golconde) Colt 

Trained by Adrian Paul Keatley and owned by the Keatley owners group. Purchased for 20,000 gns at the Somerville Sales. Dam Golconde won a race over the minimum distance in France. 

Stats and pointers: Trainer best distance seven furlongs but can pop up with one over five. Over 10s a negative. 

8: I STILL HAVE FAITH (Expert Eye ex The Thrill Is Gone) Colt 

Trained by Ian Williams. Purchased for £46,000 at the Orby Sales. Another by first season sire Expert Eye. Dam won once for Mick Channon, plenty of speed in the pedigree. Offspring include Ibiza Rocks and No More Thrills both winners. 

Stats and pointers: Very small team of 2yos, had a couple of winners past two seasons though. One debut winner last season at 25/1 

9: JIFFY BOY (Mondialiste ex Renaissant) Colt 

Trained by Robyn Brisland. Purchased for just 1500 gns at the Yearling Sales. Dam Renaissant won one race as a 2yo for Richard Hannon. 

Stats and pointers: Another trainer with a small team of 2yos who can pop up with a winner now and again. Five furlongs best distance. Over 10s a negative. 

10: KISS N CUDDLE (Clodovil ex Princess Banu) Colt 

Trained by David Evans and purchased for 45,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales. Dam won once for Mick Channon in her only season racing, five winners from offspring including Jungle inthebungle and Russellinthebushes who David trains now. 

11: KNOWWHATIMEANHARRY (Havana Grey ex Snow Globe) Gelding 

How good would it be if 75 year old trainer Bill Turner won the Brocklesby again? Purchased for £3,500 at the Goffs Sales. Dam unraced. Stats and pointers: Excellent record in race winning it six times. Last victory 2013 with Mick's Yer Man. Last 2yo winner Bill had was 2019. *Mick's Yer Man was sold to race in Hong Kong and renames Always Win.

12: MAN MADE OF SMOKE (Havana Gold ex Ya Halla) Colt 

Trained by David Evans. Dam was originally with Robert Cowell until David purchased her, winning three times over the minimum distance. Offspring include the David Evans trained Hotalena who won five times. 

13: MASCAPONE (Massaat ex Capelita) Colt Trained by Adrian Nicholls and purchased for £4,500 at the Goffs Sales. Dam won a couple of times for Michael Appleby over further. 

Stats and pointers: Small string of 2yos, can pop up with a big priced winner. 

14: PERSIAN FORCE (Mehmas ex Vida Amorosa) Colt 

Nice to see trainer Richard Hannon and owners Amo Racing have an entry here. A 225,000 euro purchase at the Yearling Sales. Dam was unraced but Persian Force is a full-brother to the Richard Hannon trained Gubbass who won first timeout last season and went onto win the Weatherbys Super Sprint. 

Stats and pointers: Five furlongs best distance. Winners all months, May just shading it. Not best strike rate Doncaster. Over 15/2 a negative. 

15: PRIMROSE RIDGE (Aclaim ex Primrose Palace) Filly 

Trained by Darryll Holland and purchased for 8000 gns at the October Yearling Sales. The dam was placed a few times. 

Stats and pointers: Holland's first season training last year and had one winner which was second runner Silks Pass who was backed into 15/8. 

16: ROCKING ENDS (Havana Grey ex Copper Penny) Filly 

Trained by Brett Johnson and purchased for 11,000 gns at the Yearling Sales. Dam won once over seven furlongs for David Lanigan. 

Stats and pointers: Stable has a handful of 2yos, no winners but few placed last season. Nothing at five furlongs. 

17: SASSY REDHEAD (Harry Angel ex Passcode) Filly 

Trained by William Stone and purchased for 8000 gns at the Yearling Sales. First season sire Harry Angel trying to get off the mark here. Dam Passcode only raced four times winning once over a mile. 

Stats and pointers: Trainer had one winning 2yo last season. 

18: SOLEIL BLANC (Fast Company ex Kathy Sun) Filly Trained by David Evans. A 35,000 euro foal. Dam won in Italy. Full-sister to Simmie who won three times for Sylvester Kirk including a Listed race in France. 

19: TEATIME TIPPLE (Pastoral Pursuits ex Mad Jazz) Gelding 

Trained by Tony Coyle. Dam four times in her career. Stats and pointers: Five furlongs best distance. Under 15/2 best. 

Conclusion: Sitting in the fence here, don't think I will have a bet to be honest as to much of an unknown race. If I did it would be something in single figures plus a colt. Obviously Persian Force looks the part and Beech Breeze could be useful if money comes in, I'm pretty sure Eve will be looking to do it again with Blatant. The fairytale would be Bill Turner winning wouldn't it? 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Revisiting the 2021 Brocklesby Conditions Stakes (30th November)

RACE 1 RESULT – @UnibetRacing Brocklesby Conditions Stakes

🥇Chipotle
🥈Wonderful World
🥉Makalu

Jockey: @bishopcharlie12

Trainer: @johnsonhoughton

Owners: The Woodway 20

📸: @nigekirby

Sponsors: https://t.co/C8xYHaHLfJ pic.twitter.com/1ONMoAN5x6

— Doncaster Racecourse (@DoncasterRaces) March 27, 2021

Let's go back to the beginning. 

Revisiting the 2021 Brocklesby Stakes. The first race of the turf season, for two-year-olds colts and fillies. 

This race has seen some exceptional winners over the years including Hearts Of Fire, Mind Games, The Last Lion. It's a very special race for me as it is like the first piece of the jigsaw puzzle. To be fair, the Brocklesby has had its highs and lows. Many runnings have come and gone without any start turn. However, when the horses are lined up I'm always hopeful there will be a sparkling winner or juveniles which progress to show they are exceptions to the rule. 

The 2021 Brocklesby Stakes didn't disappoint. 

That made my year. 

Source: Racing Post

What a brilliant winner we had in Eve Johnson-Houghton's Chipotle. A decisive winner taking the Brocklesby in style and so much more. 

Today was our richest raceday and it proved you don't have to be a millionaire to be successful in horse racing as bargain colt Chipotle won the William Hill Two Year Old Trophy, following on from a Royal Ascot success.https://t.co/11bfBLgnRX pic.twitter.com/MAocaYFgv7

— Redcar Racecourse (@Redcarracing) October 2, 2021

Chipotle form: 

Total earnings: £139,714 

Vintage Clarets Form: 

Total earnings: £26,868 

Other winners include:

Total earnings: £14,198

Total earnings: £7,488

Total earnings: £14,381

Black Hill Storm returns to the winner's enclosure after our first race of the day, the Join Racing TV Now Selling Stakes, under Shane Kelly. There was no bid for the grey colt who made the long trip from Monmouthshire worthwhile pic.twitter.com/D9KoVuA6XZ

— Redcar Racecourse (@Redcarracing) April 29, 2021

Source: Racing Post 

George Scott And My 3yo's To Follow Weekend Double (29th March)

It’s back and what a great weekend it was for flat racing, yes maybe some of you are not as excited as me to see 2-year-olds but for me it beats watching National Hunt for sure, each to their own I guess. 

The Brocklesby started us off this weekend and even though I wrote a post last week I was still undecided and ended up having a small each way on Kenyan Commander. The money came but despite a touch keen and showing early pace my selection faded. It was nice to see the Eve Johnson-Houghton trained Chipotle win easily as Eve gave the Havana Gold colt as a horse to follow in her post last month. Pretty sure the Richard Fahey Vintage Clarets will come on plenty for that run after being slowly away. 

As we all know we have had a bit of negativity the past few months with a certain trainer but personally I have found they are willing to help and chat any time so it was great to see George Scott have a great weekend with a couple of nice winners. George is a great approachable guy always willing to talk, I think he probably wishes he never gave me his number to be honest. 

Too Friendly was his first winner of the weekend who was given a great ride by jockey Callum Shepherd, what a jockey by the way. 

Next up was George Peabody who I noted as a 3-year-old to follow in one of my past posts. 

This looked a nice race with some potentially nice newcomers none more so than the Stoute newcomer Thaler who was supported throughout the day. 

I thought George Peabody ran a cracker on debut and would have gone closer if not meeting a bit of trouble so it was nice to see him make headway and with a clear run he quickened up in the style of a nice horse, I couldn’t believe the price but wasn’t arguing with a nice each way at 11/1. I did mention this horse on twitter and thanks for the kind messages. 

George Scott kindly sent me a voice note with a few words on Too Friendly and George Peabody “ I think George Peabody will probably run in another novice before we decide with race to go for at Royal Ascot either the Britannia or the Jersey and Too Friendly will certainly go for a Derby Trial but not sure which one”. 

Smashing prospect! George Peabody shows a sharp turn of foot to win tidily on his second start for @GScottracing under @CallumSheppy at @DoncasterRaces pic.twitter.com/LKC3Fqfar3

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 28, 2021

A couple more from the 3-year-old list ran over the weekend and both Aidan O’Brien. I was pretty disappointed with Hms Seahorse who was beaten odds on. The Galileo colt who is well-thought of at Ballydoyle was never involved and I will be keeping an eye on the market next time for sure. My next one was the unraced Empress Josephine who was another well-thought of type for Aidan, even though I didn’t have a bet it was nice to see her win on debut at 3/1. I will be looking forward to seeing which way Aidan takes her as she has entries for the Irish Guineas and the Irish Oaks. 

Eye-Catcher. The Race at Doncaster in which George Peabody won might just throw a couple of winners, obviously the second and third look promising but I thought the Richard Hannon newcomer and expensive Dandy Man colt Lafan ran a race full of promise even though he never landed a blow, he did attract some late support and under a tender ride plugged on. I will watch the market with interest next timeout. 

Not much catches the eye with only a few 2-year-old races trickling through but I’m sure it will be busy again soon. Thanks for reading and stay extra safe during these uncertain times.

Do You Remember the Racehorse Named Provideo?

I guess we all have our favourite racehorse.

For those who love Cheltenham and the prestigious Gold Cup, you may be reminded of Desert Orchid. 

Perhaps you will never forget Vincent O'Brien's Nijinsky, who went on to not only win the Epsom Derby in 1970 and become just the 15th horse to win the Triple Crown (2,000 Guineas, Derby & St Leger).  

As a fan of two-year-old horse racing, I have many favourites including Frankel. However, there is something about sprinters that captures my mind, especially those who are prolific winners if not record breakers. 

I'm sure readers of a certain age will remember a horse trainer Bill O'Gorman. My brother and I got interested in two-year-old horse racing in the early 1980s when he along with many now forgot [retired] horse trainers were at their peak. 

O'Gorman was known for his ability to train two-year-olds and many sprinters. 

One horse that stands out of the crowd is Provideo who made his debut in 1984, when winning the Brocklesby Stakes in style, thrashing the opposition by four lengths. Little did we know then what an impressive juvenile this son of Godswalk would turn out to be. 

Provideo was owned and bred by Ahmed Foustock. He was meant to go to the sales but O'Gorman was kicked by another horse and unable to attend the sales so decided to keep Provideo and train him.

By all accounts, this brown colt himself was a difficult horse to handle. He hospitalised one stable lad who was unfamiliar to the horse and temperamental on course and always mounted on the track for fear of his unpredictable nature in the paddock. 

The good side of Provideo was that he loved to race and win. 

As it happens this speedy two-year-old wasn't just a robust type who loved his racing but a record-breaker. 

By today's standards, winning 16 races from 24 as a two-year-old seems unthinkable. It would be impossible with the penalty system in place for a juvenile to win perhaps more than five or six races in its formative season. 

Provideo set a 20th-century for a British-trained two-year-old. He was crowned British Horse of the Year 1984 and Timeform Horse of the Year (1984). 

Other two-year-olds to win multiple times include: 

Spindrifter, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, who achieved 13 wins from 19 starts at two in 1980.   

Timeless Times, trained by Bill O'Gorman, in the familiar silks of the Times of Wigan, achieved 16 wins from 21 runs in 1990.

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

Using Statistics to Predict the Brocklesby Stakes Winner

The Brocklesby Stakes heralds the start of the two-year-old (2yo) Flat Turf season. 

Taking a look at the Wikipedia page for the Brocklesby Stakes this flying five furlongs has taken place at Doncaster racecourse since 1965 when Carholme racecourse in Lincolnshire was closed. Both courses are synonymous with the Lincoln Handicap. 

The Brocklesby Stakes dates back to 1875. In fact, Donovan (1888) won by two lengths and went on to win both the Derby & St Leger. (I can't see a Brocklesby winner doing that in this day and age!).

It's interesting to read that Donovan won the Portland Stakes at Leicester with prize money of £6,000. Which, ironically, paid more money than winning the Derby!

Donovan went on to compete in 21 races, winning 18, finished runner-up twice and third once. 

Major wins included:

New Stakes (1888)
July Stakes (1888)
Middle Park plate (1888) 
Dewhurst Stakes (1888)
Newmarket Stakes (1889)
Epsom Derby (1889)
Prince Of Wales Stakes (1889) 
St Leger (1889)
Lancashire Plate (1889)

But what do modern-day results reveal about future Brocklesby winners?

The last 10-years of Brocklesby Stakes Results: Horse Names, SP, Trainer, Draw, Sex: C/F 

2009 - Hearts Of Fire (12/1)  [Pat Eddery] (14) (C) 
2010 - Chiswick Bay (6/1)  [Richard Fahey] (10) C
2011 - He's So Cool (8/1)  [Bill Turner] (5) C
2012 - My Boy Bill (7/1)  [Mick Easterby] (10) C
2013 - Mick's Yer Man (5/1)  [Bill Turner] (13) C
2014 - Cock Of The North (14/1)  [Scott Dixon] (2) C
2015 - Ravenhoe (7/2)  [Mark Johnston] (2) C
2016 - The Last Lion (4/5)  [Mark Johnston] (3) C
2017 - Santry (4/1)  [Declan Carroll] (2) C
2017 - Requinto Dawn (6/1)  [Richard Fahey] (10) C
2018 - Izzer (4/1)  [Mick Channon] (7) C
2019 - Show Me Show Me (11/4)  [Richard Fahey] (16) C

The last filly to win the Brocklesby Stakes was Bill Turner's Sally's Dilemma in 2008. Other fillies to win since 1988: Serephina (1999) & Charlene Lacy (1998). 

Conclusion: 

Pointers to winning the Brocklesby Stakes can be seen from past runnings. With just three fillies winning since 1988, it tells the colts hold a distinct advantage early season which comes from maturation. The last ten years have been won by colts. Quite often, the race has a sizable field and the draw can play its part. This also relates to the going. It is an advantage for a two-year-old to run against a rail or have it as a guide. On fast ground a high draw is a positive while a low draw may be advantageous in testing conditions. 

In general, leading early-season trainers win this contest. The likes of Richard Fahey, Mark Johnston & Bill Turner. This trio have won seven races between them. It should be noted that Bill Turner last won the race back in 2013 with Mick's Yer Man and recent entrants have struggled. 

The Brocklesby betting is usually a good guide to finding winners. Very few juveniles win at double-figure odds, although it isn't impossible. There have been four horses win at odds bigger than 10/1 since 1988. 

Good luck.  

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

2019 Brocklesby Stakes Winner: Show Me Show Me (The Money!)

Well, after the long wait for the flat season and more importantly for me the first 2-year-old race of the season, the Brocklesby, it was over in a minute, well 1 m 0.35 seconds to be exact, which by the way is the quickest time since My Boy Bill won in 1 m 0.14 seconds back in 2012. 

I've been telling myself that this year will be different, no more impulse bets just for the sake of it but previewing races on my blog makes this a little more difficult. The Unibet Lincoln was the first race I wrote about, so even though all week the only horse that was getting mentioned was the Charlie Appleby trained Auxerre who was apparently a group horse in a handicap race, I decided to have an each way bet on Humbert which at the time of writing this could still be running and of course the heavily backed Auxerre pissed it. 

I also previewed the Brocklesby and decided to play the waiting game to see which horse was backed as the winner had been well-supported in previous races. I was still in two minds whether to have a bet or not but as four o'clock came I ran around the bookies and still not knowing what horse to back but knowing Show Me Show Me (pictured) had been backed steadily since early morning. Two minutes till the off I put my win bet on the Ontoawinner owned Show Me Show Me. 

The race was pretty straightforward as he broke well (which is always the worry with unraced 2-year-olds) before taking it up a furlong out and staying on well under a great ride from Paul Hanagan to win by just under a length from the expensive George Scott trained Strong Power. So, what did I take from the race, well after winning a few quid on Show Me Show Me, I probably won’t bet on him again this season. The second-placed Strong Power ran a great race who was also well-supported and I imagine well thought of and will be worth keeping an eye out for next time out. The sixth-place Mick Channon horse Birkenhead who was an 11/2 shot could be well worth following and is declared to run in the 2.30 at Lingfield tomorrow, I will check the betting before deciding whether to have a bet or not. 

Another I will be looking forward to seeing again is the Kevin Ryan trained Coast of Dubai, who opened up a 10/1 shot and was well backed before the off into 5/1(I was worried by this, to be honest) before missing the break and struggling to make an impact, definitely one to note. The downside to the race was the fatal injury to Anna Fallow who fell just over one furlong out, a sad day for connections. 

Just a quick word on my preview for the 3-year-old Novice race at Doncaster yesterday, as I mentioned in it Fox Champion was very well entered as a 2-year-old last season and although I didn’t bet yesterday due to the fact that I did a 19 miles marathon training run in the morning and couldn’t walk for the rest of the day, it was good to see the Group horse information I talked about come good again as he stayed on well to win at 9/4. Thanks for reading and good luck if you have a bet this week.

Are You Ready for the Brocklesby Stakes 2019?

After waiting for what seems forever, it’s almost here, the first big race of the 2019 Flat season, the Unibet Brocklesby Stakes. 

When the first two-year-old horses start, it's going to be an exciting year. 

What we have to remember with a two-year-old horse it's like their first day at school. For some, it’s a daunting prospect and they won’t be seen to better effect until the second or even third start once they settle down. However, for some, who are fit and ready to run their race first time out, it’s a start to bigger and better things down the line. 

The ground at Doncaster is normally on the soft side at this time of the year so looking for a horse with some stamina in the pedigree that likes the soft going could be a wise move.

Looking through the stats, the last four years winners have all been priced 4/1 and under. 

2018: IZZER - trained by Mick Channon, was very well backed to start at 4/1 and won nicely from stall 7 and ended up 83 rated.

2017: SANTRY  - trained by D Carroll also priced to run a good race at 4/1 held on from stall 2 before breaking a leg on the gallops and sadly being put down. 

Undoubtedly one of the biggest stars to come out the Brocklesby is a horse named Donovan, trained by George Dawson who raced back 1888. This bay colt was a sensation of his time winning 18 of his 21 starts. He went on to win the Derby, St Leger, narrowly missing out on the English Triple Crown when an unlucky loser in the 2000 Guineas.  In one year he amassed earnings of £55,443. In today's money, that would be over £1M. 

Another exceptional horse, The Last Lion (pictured) trained by Mark Johnston ended up 4/5 favourite on debut when drawn in stall 3. He won impressively before reaching the heights of a 116 rating and becoming one of the most successful juveniles of his generation in Britain. He was retired and sold to become a stallion. 

THE LAST LION was born in Ireland on 12 February 2014, sired by Choisir. His total prize earning were £225,663. He achieved wins at Group class. 

Not up to the standards of The Last Lion, 

2015: RAVENHOE - trained by Mark Johnston was also a short-priced winner at 7/2. Drawn low, again, in stall 2, couldn’t seem to do no wrong with his two-year-olds in the 2015 and 2016 seasons having plenty of success. 

Also, only two horses have won over 10/1 in the last 10 years.

2009: HEARTS OF FIRE - who was 12/1. Another very classy horse trained by Pat Eddery, who won at Group 1 in France.

2014: COCK OF THE NORTH - won at 14/1 for Scott Dixon. 

Last statistics to throw at you is that colts seem to have a big advantage over the fillies with only one filly winning:

2008: SALLY'S DILEMMA  so the stats point to a fancied runner from a low draw and a colt. 

(I will write another post when the declarations come out.)

Good luck everyone, I hope this helps to solve a field full of unraced horses.