Midweek Thoughts (13th April)

I thought my selection last week had lost a leg or something after one almighty walk in the market. Handel was well-thought of by Aidan O’Brien last season even after a disappointing debut but I thought I would give the 3-year-old colt another chance. The overnight price was 3/1 which was a bit skinny but when Handel drifted to 12/1 I had given up hope, in the end he ran a cracker to finish second, a step up in trip should bring out more improvement. Evaluation is one of my three-year-olds to follow and stayed on well yesterday at Windsor, the trip was always too short and when stepped up he will be seen in a better light. Another horse I mentioned last week was the big priced 3-year-old debutant Punta Arenas for George Scott, I thought it was a nice debut to be honest but needs to settle better and the head carriage was a bit of a worry. 

Quite a few trackers on Wednesday so here we go. 

14:00 Wed 14 April 2021 Leopardstown 

I might need the luck of the Irish for this one. I have been testing a certain angle with these Irish races and will be doing so again this year. The Donnacha Aidan O’Brien trained ABSOLUTELY was made favourite for her debut at Curragh last November, infact backed in from 13/2 down to 9/4. Absolutely was always there about until the going got tough, and she dropped into midfield before running on again late in the day, a step up in trip will hopefully see some improvement. Dam Bracelet was a star for Aidan winning the Irish Oaks in 2014 but so far her offspring haven’t set the world alight, Mountain Fountain and Love Bracelet both disappointing. 

14:35 Wed 14 April 2021 Leopardstown 

Over to Joseph for this one and SOUTHERN LIGHTS, the Sea The Stars 3-year-old colt was purchased for 550,000 euros from the Orby Sales and made a pleasing debut at Naas last September. Southern Lights was made 6/5 for his debut so obviously the word had got around. I thought it was a decent debut and was just touched off into second in the end after trying to make all. Southern Lights is entitled to come on for that and the step up in trip should be right up his street. 

16:10 Wed 14 April 2021 Newmarket 

I Imagine SNOW LANTERN was scribbled into many notebooks after an eye-catching debut at Ascot last July. The Richard Hannon Frankel filly hasn’t been seen since but after the winter behind her should be ready for a fruitful flat campaign. The Ascot race was won by Zabeel Queen who then finished third in the Group 2 May Hill and fifth in the Fillies Mile. It won’t be an easy task with some lovely looking types here but hopefully Snow Lantern can go one better and get her first win. 

13:15 Wed 14 April 2021 Newmarket 

I will throw a 2-year-old in here that could be worth following, will it be CANONIZED day on Wednesday or will she need the run? The William Haggas trained and Cheveley Park owned Acclamation filly could be anything. Dam Sainted was a nice type for William and won on debut over six furlongs, one thing worth noting is she did like a bit of give in the ground. Interesting that Williams first runner in 2020 was Sacred owned by Cheveley Park and won at Newmarket, Sacred of course went onto be a star last season. Lots of competition of course and another I will be keeping an eye on this season is EL HADEEYAH who James Tate gave a good mention here on the blog. 

It’s a tough time at the minute and early days for the 2-year-olds, plenty nice types will be filling these pages before long. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Midweek Thoughts (6th April)

I have been very cautious with betting since the start of the flat season, one winner a second and one unplaced and that's been it. I can honestly say it felt good just holding fire without jumping in all guns blazing with these early 2-year-old races as I’m pretty sure I would have been kicking myself for betting on the unknown. It was nice to see Sean Woods back with a 2-year-old winner after being away for a spell training winners in Hong Kong. General Panic was his first horse since being back and with James Doyle on board the Outstrip colt won in good style. The Craven meeting is on the horizon and I’m pretty sure we will see a few nice types out at Newmarket to get the excitement going again but for now I have a few 3-year-old trackers that could be worth a second look on the day. 

16:00 Gowran Park (IRE) 07 Apr 2021 

I will be checking the betting before I decide whether to bet on the Aidan O’Brien trained Pioneerof The Nile 3-year-old colt HANDEL on Wednesday after what was a pretty disappointing debut to say the least last June. A $250,000 purchase at The Saratoga Sale and owned by Mrs John Magnier & M Tabor & D Smith. Handel was sent off 7/1 for his debut race at Leopardstown after opening up an 11/2 shot. I’m even doubting myself here after watching the replay again where he finished stone last beaten over 20-lengths after being slightly hampered and eased off, it’s been a while since we have seen handel so it’s a bit of a long shot this one. One positive is that Aidan thought a lot of Handel last season and although not the most expensive colt in Ballydoyle by a long shot I will give him another chance if the betting allows. Chicago Black Hawk could be a warm order and comes with the best form after finishing third to Van Gogh last timeout. Probe is another who should be in the mix and come on after a decent debut at Curragh a couple of weeks ago. 

17:15 Newcastle 07 Apr 2021 

A pretty hot contest to make your debut in but all horses have to start somewhere hey, I know trainer George Scott gave PUNTA ARENAS a pretty decent write-up in his post last season but Imagine will be up against it first timeout against a few experienced rivals that’s not to say the bay gelding can’t put in a decent performance. Punta Arenas is by sire Quality Road and bred and owned by Flaxman Holdings Limited. 

Eye-catcher

I could be way out here and I know what readers will think, if WILD MOUNTAIN was an eye-catcher you need to go to specsavers and I wouldn’t blame you. I do like the combination of Paul Cole and owner Mrs Fitri Hay who do pop up with a winner now and again. Wild Mountain was pretty short in the betting (5/2) and you would of needed binoculars to see him as he was slowly away and detached until making up some ground towards the finish at Kempton yesterday, as I said it’s a speculative eye-catcher and I will be checking the betting next time he runs for some support. I’m pretty sure the posts will be coming thick and fast soon as the flat hots up so keep a lookout for my next post or follow me on Twitter and get involved as I chat about the days 2-year-old races. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.