It's Good To Laugh (Thursday's Thoughts)

14:50 Ffos Las 29 Aug 2019: 

Trackers: It’s Good To Laugh.

Clive Cox has had a pretty decent 2-year-old season so far with Golden Horde winning the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and Positive coming second in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. It’s Good To Laugh is owned by Paul and Clare Rooney who have plenty of horses in training with Clive Cox. I am confident this horse has some talent after receiving some lofty entries this past month. Bought for a tidy sum of 100,000 euros as a yearling by Kevin Ross Bloodstock, this Tamayuz bay colt made his debut at Sandown last month. Watching the race again it was a race full of promise and when It’s Good To Laugh got the hang of things he was flying at the finish. The form of that race doesn't look strong but the potential that the Clive Cox colt showed was huge. I would be disappointed if he can't win this and go on to better things in the future. (6/5) 

14:10 Carlisle 29 Aug 2019: 

Trackers: Alix James, Black Caspian, Herbert Pocket, Brazen Point. 

This looks like a pretty decent 2-year-old Class 4 Novice Stakes race here. Can I find the winner that's the main thing? I will go through a few who have chances: 

You have to feel sorry for Alix James who has bumped into a nice horse in his three starts to date. The Iain Jardine Acclamation colt has done everything but win and should be thereabouts again. 

Black Caspian for the Kevin Ryan yard. The Dark Angel colt finished second to last on debut at York back in June but I noted that the 200,000 gns purchase had been backed from 7/2 into 11/4 before the off. Always worth noting the market support on debut run. Black Caspian was very keen that day and green before easing down with a few furlongs left. His next run was a different story when coming second to Lord Of The Lodge at Haydock. Interesting that he has been given a Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes entry. 

Panic Room Is a £60,000 purchase for John Dance and trained by Tom Dascombe. 20/1 Outsider on debut at Nottingham. Nice enough debut and the market should give a clue on his chances second timeout. 

Solemn Pledge looks interesting for the Karl Burke yard. I always love Karl Burke 2-year-olds at Carlisle. The Showcasing filly looked to know her job on debut at Ayr back in July. Always up with the pace before plugged on in the soft ground to finish third to Maykon. No significant entries but improvement should be on the cards especially if supported in the market. 

Conclusion: Looks a tricky affair and I haven’t even written about the newcomers from the big yards. One newcomer to note is the Tim Easterby Brazen Point who was given an entry for the Class 2 Convivial Stakes but didn't run. If Solemn Pledge attracts market support could possibly be an each-way bet. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Midweek Previews And Reviews (20th August)

I must admit I shouldn't have had a bet Saturday because as I said in my weekend post I didn't really fancy much. In the end, I backed Sun Power to win. It's funny because I can understand now why some gamblers wait till last minute before betting. First, it's good to see the market and most of the time it really does pay to be cautious, especially with 2-year-old horses and second, it's good to see how your horse is going to post. Well, Sun Power was really keen going to post and had to be restrained by jockey Silvestre De Sousa. I wish I could have cashed out at that point. Sun Power was exactly the same through the race and disappointed. 

Phantom Bride was my next each-way bet for Karl Burke. It was a speculative bet and despite being well-supported she also disappointed in what was a Saturday to forget but the lesson learned was if I don't fancy anything strongly. I should be more patient and not bet. 

I also mentioned Queen’s Order who broke her duck with a nice win at Pontefract on Sunday, it was made a lot easier with Dazzling Des and Ventura Lighting both non-runners. I had another speculative bet on my other tracker Serious Jockin who was another who was never involved. Hopefully, I can make up for a bad weekend with a couple of wins this week.

14:15 Bath 21 Aug 2019: 

A couple of trackers in this 2-year-old Maiden Stakes race. Aweemaweh was a cheap purchase by Mick Channon last September. Aweemaweh has been given a Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes entry. It could just be a pipe dream but to have any hope will have to put in a bold show here to stand any chance of making the lineup in September. The chestnut colt made a pleasing debut last week at Salisbury over six furlongs. The ground that day was soft and Aweemaweh plugged on without threatening the impressive winner Ascension. Interesting to see any market support for this Bungle Inthejungle colt and I hope I can get an each-way price. 

Another tracker to note in this race is Tommy Rock for the Clive Cox stable who also has a Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes entry. A 100,000 euro purchase for owner Peter Ridges. The market will prove the best guide for his chances on debut. Mick Channon has a decent record at Bath with his 2-year-olds but Clive Cox has a really impressive one. I may even do a split stake depending on prices and market support.  

14:35 Carlisle 21 Aug 2019: 

Ainsdale for the 2-year-old Carlisle specialist trainer Karl Burke. Ainsdale looks to have a great chance of making the frame at least here, after being beaten by the impressive Richard Fahey and Cheveley Park owned Custodian at Pontefract a couple of weeks ago. The Mayson colt stayed on without threatening the easy winner. A recent significant entry gives me hope that a better run is expected here and with the forecast soft ground at Carlisle, Ainsdale should be right at home. 

14:05 Carlisle 21 Aug 2019: 

Herbert Pocket is my last tracker for the Tim Easterby yard. The one positive here is this Helmet colt started his career in a Class 2 race at York in May. Despite finishing towards the back that was a good sign but a few negatives here too. Been off the course since then which makes me think must have been some kind of problem also had no significant entries since his debut in May. Needs to attract some support for me to even consider betting on this outsider today. Thanks for reading and good luck.