Friday & Saturday's Thoughts (9th August)

A quick recap on Thursday's blog. 

Lord Of The Lodge made a competitive race look easy when making all to win by 5-lengths. The disappointment for me was the Richard Hannon trained No Show who did exactly that and finished fifth. Throne Hall was my fancy in the 16.00 at Haydock and after some support in the market the Kevin Ryan trained colt ran a promising race to finish a close third and should come on for the experience. Master McGrath won well at Sandown with another tracker Colonel Whitehead again finishing third at 25/1 for trainer Heather Main. 

Lord Of The Lodge bolts up in impressive style to take the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 3-1 for @karl_burke 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/8vy3wOTzzz

— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) August 8, 2019

Not much jumping out at me this weekend so I may do a small Trixie on these three over the next few days. 

18:10 Haydock 09 Aug 2019 

Only six runners go to post here which is disappointing because I do love an each-way bet. On the face of it, Unresolved faces an uphill task after a disappointing debut at Sandown last month. Unresolved is an £85,000 Frankel bay colt who is trained by Mark Johnston and owned by Saif Ali. Unresolved was away quick on debut and led until weakening dramatically the final furlong and a half. I am hoping he needed the run that day and today he will show improved performance. Mark Johnston has another Frankel colt called Fred who was also fancied on debut but finished last before an improved performance to win the second timeout. He also trains a Frankel filly called Frankel’s Storm who also disappointed on debut but finished second on her next start. Some support will be the key to her chances.  

15:45 Newmarket 10 Aug 2019 

Nine runners go to post in what looks a nice race. My fancy Dark Lady is a well-bred Dark Angel grey filly who is trained by Richard Hannon and owned by Cheveley Park Stud. Dark Lady showed plenty of promise on debut when finishing second to the nice Archie Watson filly So Sharp. She made no mistake second time out when easily winning at Lingfield by 5-lengths. Her third race was the Keeneland Group 3 Stakes at Ascot which saw her finish fourth in what was another professional display. Watching the race again she looked to be staying on well and the extra furlong will hopefully bring some more improvement. The race has some nice fillies in and one danger looks to be UltraViolet who was very impressive on debut and has been given a host of Group entries since her debut, which is always a good sign. 

18:15 Lingfield 10 Aug 2019

I am going to give the Richard Hannon chestnut colt Always Fearless the benefit of the doubt here after what was a disappointing run last time out. An expensive purchase for the King Power Racing Team. In fact, this Camacho colt was bought for 270,000 gns in October last year. No show on his debut when not fancied at 8/1 but his second outing saw a much-improved effort when keeping on to finish third to the Mark Johnston colt Fred. That wasn't a bad race, to be honest even though it was a bunch finish that effort should see him with a great chance to break his duck in what doesn't look the strongest race here. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Thursday's Thoughts (8th August)

A few races of interest today. I will detail some of the horses I have noted in my trackers.

14:30 Haydock 08 Aug 2019 

Nine horses go to post in this British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes. 

I backed Lord Of The Lodge when he won on debut at Ayr back in May. As you know I do love Karl Burke 2-year-olds. Lord Of The Lodge is a nice looking Dandy Man bay colt who is owned by Elaine Burke. Back down in grade today, after not being disgraced in Group and Listed races, and with an apprentice on board Lord Of The Lodge should be more at home here.

Centurion Song looks a nice type for Brian Meehan. Has run well in both races to date and was made favourite for his last race at Newbury. Beaten by the Richard Hannon-trained Hard Nut that day, Centurion Song stayed on without threatening the winner. The second that day was Commit No Nuisance, who was disappointing the other day at Lingfield. Centurion Song has a Gimcrack Group 2 Stakes entry and will have to be involved here if he is to be considered at York. 

No Show is a Showcasing colt for Richard Hannon and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. This 110,000 gns purchase has a lovely pedigree. Drops down a furlong after not seeing out the 7 furlongs at Sandown 2 weeks ago. He was pretty keen in the early stages of that race but looked to be coming to win his race and quickened up nicely before tiring late on. I expect No Show to be involved at the finish today and put in a more professional performance. 

16:00 Haydock 08 Aug 2019 

Throne Hall is a beautiful homebred Kingman colt for the Kevin Ryan yard and will be hoping to start his career with a win. I never like backing first time out horses as it's like their first day at school and anything can go wrong. Kevin Ryan thinks highly of this bay colt and the market should prove the key to his chances today. 

18:10 Sandown 08 Aug 2019 

Four trackers in the one race is a bit of a nightmare, so I probably won't be betting on this contest but I will write down my thoughts on the four I have noted. 

Colonel Whitehead ran a superb race for Heather Main. I had noted that she had given the Colonel a Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes entry before his last race and was tempted to do an each-way bet but didn't bother. Available around 50/1 early on in the day he ran a great race to finish third at 25/1. 

Spurofthemoment runs here for Charlie Hills. A 25/1 shot on debut and not fancied, this Brazen Beau filly was quickly away and showed some good speed until weakening the final furlong. The ground was soft that day and the fact that she cost £100,000 and was given an early Class 2 entry by Charlie Hills makes me think she could improve today if well-supported. 

Master McGrath looks another nice type for Kevin Ryan. Must have been catching pigeons on the gallops before debut as he was made 11/10 favourite. Ran a sound race and finished second, only tiring late on. Dropping down a furlong should bring more improvement.

Last but not least Vasari for Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. Another who drops back in distance after a promising debut at Chelmsford. Had a class 2 entry at Chester but didn't run. A race to watch I think as looks difficult to pinpoint a strong bet.

Thanks for reading and good luck.