Five unraced from Clarehaven (19th November 2022)

As the sun set’s on the 2022 flat season, it’s a good time to reflect on the depth of the John and Thady Gosden juveniles. Whilst Aidan O’Brien’s youngsters have been shown to be an exceptionally talented group, I suspect the Gosden’s will be happy with what they have at their disposal for the 2023 season. 

Commissioning won the Group 1 Fillies Mile and is unbeaten. Epictetus and Arrest both were runner up in Group 1’s in October and have pedigree’s to strongly suggest they can progress at three. Coppice, Mostabshir, Inner Space, Intinso and Soul Sister are all one from one after impressive debut displays. 

Despite all that, I believe there are at least 80 unraced juveniles housed at Clarehaven, and whilst many of them won’t run at two, a few will be out between now and February. Thirty three of that group are by four of the best stallions in the World – Frankel, Kingman, Sea The Stars and Dubawi. 

So I have selected five to look out fo r over the next twelve months. 

CHALICE (8 th foal) (Sir Anthony Oppenheimer) [Sea The Stars] 13/4/20 b f This filly is a three part half - sister to Golden Horn (Cape Cross) and two other black type performers from seven foals. She was very well thought of b ut grew and went weak in late summer and was sent back to the owners stud to develop and strengthen over the winter. 

GOVERNOR OF INDIA (2 nd foal) (Lady Bamford) [Dubawi] 19/3/20 b c Her dam, Star Of Seville won the Prix De Diane in 2015 when trained by John and knowledge of the family is an advantage. Her first foal has done very little but that is not unexpected given that the initial foals can tend to be smaller and therefore weaker than subsequent siblings. He is well thought of and will want 10 - 12f as a 3yo. 

HOWEITAT (7 th foal) (White Birch Farm SC) [Dubawi] 19/4/20 b c Although he only came to Clarehaven in September, he has made a good impression in the short time he has been in Newmarket. This homebred colt is a full brother to Francesco Clement e who John and Thady also train, and Francesco is three from three and looks a highly exciting prospect for 2023 as a 4yo. Francesco made his debut as a 3yo in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket’s first meeting of the season and that is clearly a possible targe t for Howeitat. 

LION’S PRIDE (8 th foal) (Sir Anthony) [Roaring Lion] 9/4/20 b/gr c John trained the dam (Crimson Ribbon, foaled 2006), to a 1 - 1 - 6 RPR 90 career, with all six of her runs coming as a 3yo. Two of the three have earnt black type and had RPR’ s 102+ whilst another is an exciting prospect for 2023, Courage Mon Ami, is his Frankel half - brother. Trained at Clarehaven, he is two from two and he was unraced as a juvenile. John and Thady have both told me that the Roaring Lion’s need time and that th ey are all about 2023. This colt is well thought of. 

ZIRYAB (7 th foal) (Juddmonte) [Kingman] 27/1/20 b c John was the underbidder at 500,000 Gns at Book 2 at the Tattersalls sale in 2019 and Juddmonte’s final bid of 525,000 won the day. John clearly likes him, and given he trained the full brother, King Leonidas, I was delighted when Juddmonte sent this colt to Clarehaven. He is well thought of by many at the yard.

Thanks to David Piddock for kindly forwarding his selections. Much appreciated. 

Her Majesty The Queen Two-Year-olds (2yos) to Follow in 2020

Scrawling my way through the Horses in Training 2020, published by Raceform. It includes almost 20,000 horses, nearly 600 trainers, Jockeys' Weights, and Retainers.  

It is a decent buy detailing the majority of two-year-old horses for the upcoming season.

A handful of leading trainers didn't want their info published. Each to their own - although I will find the data one way or the other. (I've already got it).

One owner who isn't shy to detail her string of two-year-olds is Her Majesty the Queen. With a particular interest in the breeding of thoroughbred horses, the majority (if not all) are homebred.     

Her Majesty initially inherited the breeding and racing stock from her late father King George VI in 1952. In fact, the racing silks are the same as used by her father and great-grandfather King Edward VII. Her Majesty the Queen has achieved over 1600 winners, the only Classic she hasn't won is the Epsom Derby. She went close to tasting victory in 1953 when Aureole finished second (the year of her coronation). 

One of her best racehorses Dunfermline won two classics, the Epsom Oaks and St Leger Stakes (Doncaster) in the year of her Silver Jubilee (1977). 

Unsurprisingly she doesn't gamble but enjoys the outcome of a successful breeding match. Also, it is reputed she reads the Racing Post over her breakfast every morning.      

Take a moment to review the two-year-olds by trainer:

Richard Hannon, Marlborough

Collinsbay 
Safe Passage 

Roger Charlton, Beckhampton

Encourage 

Michael Bell, Newmarket 

Bookmark 
Closeness 
Humming Bee
Inveigle
Realist 
Stimulate 
Sun Festival 

Andrew Balding, Kingsclere

Tactical

John Gosden, Newmarket 

Enthral 
Pied Piper 
Shepherd's Delight 
Wakening 

Two-year-old to be allocated:

Eastern Dawn 
Orchestral 
Orderofsuccession 
Sentence 
Sergeant Major 
Thought Process
Tynwald 
Vital Force 
Well Spent 

Good luck.

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

Three-year-old (3yo) Horses to Follow in 2020 (Part 3)

THRONE HALL is by Kingman (GB) out of Appearance (GB), trained by K A Ryan and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. The Kingman Bay Colt didn’t show any sign of inexperience on debut at Haydock last August when finishing third to the experienced Atheeb. I wouldn't say the form of this race is anything special even though the fifth that day King Carney does look a nice prospect after winning the Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract. Hopefully, with a good winter behind him, he will pick up a Maiden this season. 

THEBIAN is by Kingman (GB) out of Amarillo Starlight (IRE), trained by John Gosden and owned by Ms. Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum. Not much to go on with this Kingman Bay Colt but I just have a hunch the £230,000 Breeze up purchase could be better than what he showed on his debut at Chelmsford last September. Thebian was weak in the betting and crawled out the stalls but still managed to get back to the lead and used a lot of energy doing so before fading the final furlong and finishing at the back of the field. I will be checking for any support next time out after a few months off the track. 

TOMOUH is by Dubawi (IRE) out of Sundrop (JPN), trained by Saeed Bin Suroor owned by Godolphin. I won’t be giving up just yet on this Dubawi Filly despite a pretty average performance at Newmarket last August. The winner that day was the talented Powerful Breeze who finished second in the Fillies Mile. Tomouh was well-backed on debut but could never land a blow and was soundly beaten, the support and the fact she had a few nice entries make me think better was expected that day. Dam Sundrop ended her career with a win and an official rating of 112 the highlight being the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares). A step up in trip will hopefully bring the improvement needed to get a win on the board. 

TOP CLASS ANGEL is by Dark Angel (IRE) out of Expensive Date (GB), trained by Richard Hannon Jr and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. The 240,000 Euro Dark Angel bay Filly purchased from the 2018 Orby Sales looks a nice type for Richard Hannon despite still being a Maiden. Her two runs last season both showed a win will come sooner rather than later. Top Class Angels last run at Haydock was a bit unlucky I thought as she was drawn out wide and had to be settled at the back by Pat Dobbs, losing a few lengths in doing so. The winner West End Girl won the Sweet Solera Stakes for Mark Johnston a couple of runs later as for Top Class Angel she was staying on under a considerate ride and looks a nice type for the new season. 

TURAATH is by Oasis Dream (GB) out of Fadhayyil (IRE), trained by C Hills and owned by Mr. Hamdan Al Maktoum. The Oasis Dream Bay Filly was a bit clueless over the first few furlongs on her debut at Leicester last September. The price she went off was a sign she would come on for her first run at the racecourse. Dam Fahdhayyil was pretty decent with an official rating of 110 the highlight winning the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Listed) race as a 3-year-old. Turaath will hopefully know more next timeout and the market could be the key to her chances this season. 

VILLAIN'S VOICE is by Poet's Voice (GB) out of Balayage (IRE), trained by Roger Varian and owned and bred by Promenade Bloodstock Limited. The homebred Poet’s Voice Colt had one run last season at Yarmouth in July. Villain’s Voice was well backed from 9/4 down to 15/8 and looked professional in his job when finishing a decent third to the experienced Mark Johnston Colt Iffraaz. Hopefully, Villain’s Voice can pick up a Maiden early this season. Thanks for reading and look out for my unraced 3-year-olds to follow.

John Gosden King of the Castle

KINGMAN was always going to be a sire to be taken seriously after a glittering but short career for trainer John Gosden. The Khalid Abdullah owned Invincible Spirit bay colt was born on 22 February 2011 at the famous Juddmonte Farms and has never looked back since. 

A dazzling debut at Newmarket in 2013 saw Kingman storm clear to win by six-lengths and firmly establish himself as a serious prospect for the season ahead. Little did we know that a chipped bone would only see him race only once more as a 2-year-old but as with his easy debut win it was the same again as Kingman stepped up a level and was rewarded with his first black-type as he cruised to the lead two furlongs out in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown and win without breaking a sweat. 

Kingman was back for the Greenham Stakes at Newbury after recovering from a successful operation on a chipped bone. A new season but the same story as Kingman demolished the field. Only a second in the 2000 Guineas stopped him having a perfect record as Kingman ended his career winning four Group Ones on the bounce including the Irish 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix Du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard- Jacques Le Marois Group One at Deauville. An amazing year was topped off when Kingman was named Champion three-year-old colt and Horse of the Year at the Cartier Racing Awards for 2014. 

The news of Kingman’s retirement was announced in September 2014 after he picked up a throat infection and plans to run him in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes were thwarted. It was a brilliant career, and he’s stood at the Banstead Manor Stud alongside the great Frankel since the 2015 breeding season. Kingman became the highest-ranked second season-sire in the world this year with a nomination fee of £150,000 for the new breeding season. I will be keeping a close eye on the third season crop after successful purchases at the yearling sales. 

To say Kingman’s offspring have done well is a bit of an understatement with Persian King winning Group 1 at Longchamp and also Group 2 winners Headman and Calyx, also Nausha winning the Musidora Stakes and Sangarius winning the Hampton Court Stakes at Ascot. His second crop did well too with four Stake winners including Tom Dascombes Boomer who won the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. 

John Gosden does love a Kingman offspring and with Calyx being a big success. I have no doubt he will have a few nice types this season to keep an eye out for. Two I have my eye on are owned by Mr. A.E. Oppenheimer who had a couple of first timeout winners with John Gosden over the past two seasons. First was the Dansili colt Sucellus who won on debut at Wolverhampton in 2018, and then we had Tiempo Vuela the Lope De Vega filly who also won on debut this time at Newcastle last October. 

The first unraced homebred colt is ALTO VOLANTE: 

Pedigree KINGMAN-DISCO VOLANTE (SADLER'S WELLS) (USA) who has an entry for the 2021 Investec Derby. Dam's most notable successes being a gelding previously trained by Mark Johnston called Namibian who won the Queen's Vase and the Gordon Stakes back in 2011 and had an official rating of 112. Another who never hit them heights was an 80 rated gelding owned by MR A.E. Oppenheimer called Westwood Hoe who ran for John Gosden three times and won his Maiden on his third start before changing trainer. 

The second unraced homebred colt is MEGALLAN: 

Pedigree KINGMAN-EASTERN BELLE (CHAMPS ELYSEES) who has an early entry for the 2021 Investec Derby. Dam Eastern Belle ran at a decent level for owner MR A. E Oppenheimer and an official rating of 104 for trainer John Gosden after winning the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes at Newbury in 2014. This will be the first offspring for this Dam so interested to see how Megallan shapes up. 

Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for my next 2-year-olds to follow for 2020.

Tsar Ready To Rule For John Gosden (Plus Previews)

18:55 Newcastle 02 Oct 2019 

Kentechy Derby Novice Stakes Class 5 | 2YO only 

Tracker: Tsar, Emaraty Hero 

The world and his wife will be getting emails through very soon as Tsar makes his long-awaited reappearance having not been seen out since making his debut in a hot Newmarket Maiden Stakes race back in July. I do say a hot looking Maiden Stakes race with caution though because we have yet to see the winner Al Madhar and the third-placed First Receiver run again but to be honest, these two look to be above average colts, why? Because Al Madhar has an early 2,000 Guineas entry and First Receiver has an early Derby entry. What of the second-placed Al Suhail, the Charlie Appleby colt had numerous significant entries and managed to finish a superb third in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown behind the exciting winner Positive so the form of that Maiden is standing up well.

Tsar is a lovely looking John Gosden Kingman bay colt who was born 23rd April 2017 and bred by Juddmonte Farms Ltd. Tsar made a pleasing debut in the Newmarket race and was ridden by the man with the Midas touch Frankie Dettori. A 13/2 shot for his first racecourse experience. Tsar was really slow out the stalls that day but still managed to finish a close fourth and looked full of running. Frankie looked to give Tsar a learning experience after the slow start and will hopefully be more tuned up this time around. Just to add to that Tsar was given a Champagne Stakes entry plus a Royal Lodge entry but didn't take part. The price will be too short to bet but one race to enjoy.

Emaraty Hero comes here with a big reputation. The Karl Burke trained Lope De Vega colt was purchased for 55,000 gns by owner Ahmad Al Shaikh last October. Interesting to see which way he goes in the market on debut. Plus a couple more interesting newcomers in the name of Finely Tuned and Glenties make this a fascinating race to watch. 

14:25 Nottingham 02 Oct 2019 EBF Join 8,000 ROA Members Maiden Fillies' Stakes 

Trackers: Craylands, Ascraeus 

Eye-Catcher: Notation 

Looks like we have another hot favourite here in the shape of Craylands for the Michael Bell yard. Craylands has been the bridesmaid twice in both runs this season and should be in the mix again come 14.30. 

Ascraeus was a big price for Andrew Balding on debut and wasn't given a hard time. Starting in the Goodwood Class 2 race was a positive and worth a market check here. Dubai Love is a 120,000 gns purchase for Godolphin and worth a check on debut. 

Notation made her debut at Carlisle last month. The Mark Johnston Poets Voice filly is a half-sister to Calpin and owned and bred by Stuart Counsell. To say, she lost a few lengths at the start was an understatement as she was a country mile behind at the first turn. Jockey Franny Norton never gave up and Notation plugged on through beaten horses to nearly snatch third place. I think the betting showed that Notation needed this run and another who should come on for the experience. 

17:40 Kempton 02 Oct 201932 Red.com/British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes

Eye-Catcher: Qaseeda 

So Sharp is a strange one for the Archie Watson Stable. Excellent debut when beating the Shadwell Dick Poole Stakes Group 3 winner Dark Lady and then thrown in at the deep end the last two races and disappointing. Now back down to a lower grade the Bated Breath filly should be more competitive.

Qaseeda was easy to back on her debut at Sandown last month, in fact, this Poet’s Voice filly drifted from 8s to 9/1 at the off. A market drift is normally a warning sign that things aren't quite right but Qaseedas debut run was the opposite. The William Haggas trained filly has a lovely pedigree and is a half-sister to Skardu who won on debut and was contested at a decent level this season. Qaseeda was slowly away and playing catch up but James Doyle soon got her back on the bridle and moved up stylishly but the winner Sand Diego had already got first run and despite Qaseeda flying home, it was just too late. 

Thanks for reading and good luck and a big thank you to Simon(@paddockinspecto) for the great photo of Tsar.

A Roaring Lion: Former Jockey Alan Rutter Talks Racing & Riding Out for John Gosden

A big thank you to former flat jockey Alan Rutter who has kindly agreed to answer some questions about his life in horse racing and riding out for the brilliant John Gosden. 

Alan, have you always been involved with horse racing? 

I have always been involved in horse racing, being born and bred in Newmarket you are never too far away from a horse, and most of the people who live here, know or have somebody connected to the industry. 

At What age did you decide to become a jockey and why? 

I probably decided to be a jockey aged about 15, I played football to a reasonable standard, but played and was turned down by the county, because they said I was too small, so I thought what do small people do...ride horses!!!! Unfortunately, I grew. So basically I was too small for 1 and too big for the other. 

As an apprentice you had a nice few winners, did you have a favourite? 

I was lucky enough to win on the horse called Street Life who was a particular favourite of mine, and a real yard pet. Took great pleasure from winning on a useful horse called High Treason twice, a big galloping type who really enjoyed Newbury. 

What was it like riding for legendary trainer Willie Musson? 

Riding for Willie Musson, was fun, and he was a very fair trainer, he had quite a few apprentices at the time, so we all knew that if we worked hard and listened we would get rides. I was under no illusion that even though I may have ridden a horse a few times if Pat Eddery or Kieren Fallon wanted to ride they would take over. 

Did you find it tough being a jockey or were you living the dream? 

Of course, being a jockey is tough, if you are not a natural lightweight, or you cannot pick up rides, you can easily get disheartened, It’s a game that will either make you or break you. I loved every minute of it while I was riding and I looked at it, that I was living out my dream and working with my idols. 

I noticed that you do a bit of work riding out for another legendary trainer John Gosden, how did that come about? 

I have always had a connection with the stable, as I’m the 3rd generation of my family to work for John Gosden, I basically wanted to get well-paid, ride good horses!!!! And that’s exactly what you get at Clarehaven, we are lucky to have such nice horses and are always competitive on race days. 

I know this is a difficult question but which horse is the best you have ridden? 

The best horse I have ridden would be Enable, but I couldn’t have told you that from the handful of times I sat on her. The horse I spent the most time riding was Roaring Lion. I  rode him through his 2yo career. A fantastic horse, smooth traveller, gutsy, classy had a swagger. For me, he had it all.  It’s a pity that he is no longer with us and just hope the mares he covered to produce a horse like him. 

If you could name a John Gosden dark horse for the future who would it be? 

As for picking a dark horse, this isn’t that easy as we have so many unraced maidens and normally a good one hides away. A horse that I’m quite fond of is a Kingman colt called King Leonidas probably one for 1-mile maidens, but he is likeable and more than capable of winning a maiden. 

The final question is what advice would you give to my readers who would like to get into the racing game? 

I would say to anybody wanting to get in to racing, that it is a fantastic industry, not always easy at times, the weather, the pay and other things can make you sometimes question why do you do it, but you can travel the world, be around nice horses, experience what it’s like to win, or just like looking after your horses, it’s certainly an industry that has a little bit of everything. 

Thank you for your time, Alan, it's been a pleasure hearing about your great memories.

Hot 2-Year-Old Trainers To Follow In September

I can't believe that we are nearly in September and the 2-year-old races will be winding down over the coming months. As I said the flat is winding down but it's not over until the fat lady sings and there is plenty of time to make some money. 

So, which trainers will be banging out the winners till she sings? Step forward Mr Clive Cox who over the past two Septembers has kept his 2-year-olds in great form. Let's take a look at the stats. In 2017 Clive Cox had seven runners with four winners and two placed including Awesome and Snazzy Jazzy who won the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes race at Curragh. 2018 wasn't much different with Clive having eight runners with five winning and another placed. Hopefully, this month will be the same. Two Clive Cox horses I will be looking forward to seeing out again is Positive who will be winning again soon and the exciting It’s Good To Laugh who will be getting his first win on the board soon for owners Paul and Clare Rooney. 

Next on the Hotlist for September is John Gosden who loves a 2-year-old winner this month. A few pointers in the right direction here though. Has to be in Maiden and Novice races only, plus the distance is 1 mile to 1 mile 1 furlong and also under 15/2. In 2017, he had four winners out of eleven runners with another three placed. Winners included the sadly departed Roaring Lion and Crossed Batton who won at Sandown. One I am really looking forward to seeing out soon is the Ms Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum owned Thebian Kingman colt who cost £230,000 and is entered in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Charlie Hills could be another worth following in September with his 2-year-olds. As always just Novice and Maiden races and priced under 15/2. In 2017, he had six winners out of twelve runners that's an amazing 50 per cent strike-rate and in 2018 he had ten runners with four winning. Dulas could be a dark horse to look out for in September, I think I may have put this on as a horse to follow. Finished a respectable sixth on debut at Newmarket in July and is highly thought of by trainer Charlie Hills. 

Trainers are creatures of habit and Richard Hughes 2017 and 2018 September stats for his 2-year-old horses in Novice and Maiden races are exactly the same. In 2017 Richard had nine runners with three winning and another one placed and of course the same for 2018. One course he seems to like is Chelmsford with three winners and another placed out of four horses he has sent there, all winners in this month have been under 15/2. Three to look out for are Maori Knight an 82,000 euro Camelot colt. Lady Lynetta an 80,000 euro Tamayuz filly and unraced Kyllachy colt called Rathagan. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

I Predict A Riot!!!!! Kingman Colt to Make Debut At Sandown (Plus Reviews And Previews)

It’s been a busy few days with work and writing a few posts about the Royal Ascot fillies next week but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think I could write about 2-year-old racing every day if I had the time. Now that my marathon is over (finished in 3.25 for anybody interested) I am taking some well-earned time off from running and resting my body for a few weeks, this gives me some spare time to research and write my blogs before I hit the road again and get in shape for next year's marathon. 

Reviews and Bet Review

In my post last week I was crying about my luck because every horse seems to be getting placed (yes we all say this I know) but things haven't changed much, especially with my trackers any way. I had two trackers in the same race at Windsor on Monday evening and I backed both to win, first was Eton College, this is the second time I have bet on this Mark Johnston colt and it will be the last. He ran a good race to be honest and finished third in a bunch finish, I would imagine this is his level, and he may pick up a small race soon enough.

Fantom Force trained by Richard Hannon is an interesting one, no confidence behind him in the market (around 7/1 all day), he stayed on into fourth place but never nearer. The two early Class 2 entries he was given, give me some hope that he will strip fitter next time out and could run a decent race if there's market support behind him, time will tell. 

Tuesday was pretty much the same story. I only had one bet in the 13.45 at Salisbury which was Able Kane to win, listening to the commentary it sounded like the commentator was under water, he called Able Kane the winner and then to my frustration (but amusement to a few mates in work after I celebrated like I had won the lottery) Gold Venture was called as the winner. 

I also had a couple of trackers which I didn’t bet on. First was Companion who looked the likely winner entering the final furlong, I must admit I had noticed the market support for the eventual winner Rosadora earlier on in the morning but done nothing about it. The way she quickened up was very impressive and beating what look like a couple of nice fillies, it looks like Ralph Beckett has a nice filly on his hands. 

Clay Regazzoni was the next tracker which I thought was a cert, but in this game there is no such thing. Entered for the Group 2 Railway Stakes at Curragh at the end of the month, I thought it was a formality that this Middleham Park Racing owned colt would win his maiden but the Michael Dodds trained Commanche Falls had other ideas and got up in the final furlong to win by half a length at odds of 14/1. The lofty ambitions seem a world away now but I will be interested to see if the soft ground was to blame for the defeat or Commanche Falls is just a decent horse. Lincoln Blue was another tracker that I had on Wednesday. I didn’t get to post this one and to be honest, I wasn’t even going to bet. I did have a bet on 

Lincoln Blue first time out, but he was well-beaten. It was playing on my mind that I could miss out on a nice priced winner as this Jane Chappel-Hyam colt had been given a Class 2 entry in May so in the end I had a small each way bet at 28/1. Lincoln Blue ended up running a great race and finishing second at 16/1, beaten a neck and sums up my June so far. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert

14:35 Sandown 14 Jun 2019: Riot runs for the John Gosden yard. This Kingman colt cost 850,000 Euros and is owned by Qatar Racing. Not entered in any significant races as yet so a market check will be needed. John Gosdens 2-year-olds have been pretty disappointing so far with just Light Angel winning out of six runners but I did notice he introduced another Kingman Colt around this time last year, who was it? Of course, it was Calyx. 

13:40 Nottingham 13 Jun 2019: Big City has an entry for the Class 2 Byerley Stud Peter Walwyn Memorial Novice Stakes at Salisbury but runs here. 

14:00 Newbury 13 Jun 2019: King’s View has an entry for the Class 2 Byerley Stud Peter Walwyn Memorial Novice Stakes at Salisbury but runs here. 

14:00 Newbury 13 Jun 2019: Baadirr had an entry for the Class 2 Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes at Newbury but didn’t run. 

14:00 Newbury 13 Jun 2019: Swinley Forest has an entry for the Class 2 Byerley Stud Peter Walwyn Memorial Novice Stakes at Salisbury but runs here. 

13:50 York 14 Jun 2019: Kilham had an early entry for the Brocklesby but never ran, also a Class 2 at Bath. 

14:45 Chepstow 14 Jun 2019: Dark Moonlight has an entry for the Class 2 Byerley Stud Peter Walwyn Memorial Novice Stakes at Salisbury but runs here. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Angel's Hideaway to Keep Gosden's Great Record in the Nell Gwyn Stakes Going

After the excitement of the Aintree Grand National and the Scottish Grand National, it's time to concentrate on what racing is all about, the Flat racing. 

The first big race is on its way. The Nell Gwyn Stakes Group 3 for 3-year-old fillies only. 

I can’t wait. 

The Newmarket race was first held in 1961 and won by a horse called Verbena, it was officially called the Spring Fillies Stakes before being renamed to its current name the Nell Gwyn Stakes after the long-time mistress of King Charles II. 

As readers of my blog know, I don’t really give tips out because my blog is about my betting journey this season, but saying that if I find any useful stats that I may use myself. I will be writing them down on here for future reference, and any trackers I have coming up will also be going on my blog. 

John Gosden has a great record in this race and runs the talented Angel’s Hideaway (pictured), who is rated 105 after a great 2-year-old season with the highlight for me being the Group 3 win at Ascot back in July. It's not an easy race to work out as we have some talented horses in the field. 

For instance, Mark Johnston runs the consistent Group performer Main Addition and the Oh So Sharp Stakes Group 3 winner Mot Juste also enters calculations and to add that we have a few unexposed fillies to make life a little more difficult to find the winner, I might just stick with the Gosden runner and hope she can reverse form with Mot Juste. Alandalos is a horse I have my eye on, and runs in the 445 Fillies Maiden Stakes for Charlie Hills, she caught my eye last December when running a great race and finishing strong in a race won by the potentially smart John Gosden runner Entitle. Alandalos was sent off 20/1 that day and after dwelling in the stalls ran on well, she is another horse who had an early entry last season in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes which is an indicator that the trainer holds her in high regard but with a short price likely It will be a no bet for me. 

My Bets Review: 

As it’s early stages of the 2-year-old season the pennies are staying in the pocket. I know we all love to bet but sometimes and I can take it or leave it until something decent jumps out at me. One three-year-old newcomers, I had been waiting a good while for was Roger Varian's Farnham. 

What I didn't expect was an early evening show of 2/1 and actually going off 13/8 fav. It was a funny old race as first she missed the break and was stuck in behind a wall of horses in this 19 runner field. Even though I didn’t bet, because of the short price, I was still keeping a close eye on her during the race, I thought she was travelling well, considering she missed the break. Jockey Danny Tudhope decided to switch her right over to the rail and make his move, to me it looked like she was coming to win her race but for whatever reason never went through with it and finished 5th. I could be wrong but I think she was the best horse in the race and will be keeping an eye out for her next start and especially if moving up to a mile.

On to Saturday and I had a few low stake speculative bet’s on what I thought was big priced runners, Modern Millie was the first at 33/1 who, to be honest, didn’t run a bad race to finish 6th in the Group 3 Duty Free Stakes. 

Next up was Heer We go Again who ran a decent race to finish 2nd at Thirsk to impressive winner Xcelente. 

First time out runner, City Wanderer, never got into the race and finished 7th at 66/1. 

My last bet was the most interesting as when I had a quick look last night at the betting Kiefer was a 50/1 shot and when I went to put my bets on in the morning he had been backed into 14/1 but didn’t really matter as he never got a look in. 

I am looking forward to when I can have a good bet but at the minute I will just be having a few speculative ones for a bit of interest. 

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

John Gosden Horse Trainer Profile Series

John Gosden is one of the greatest trainers in the business who produces top-class horses year in and year out. 

Someone who has won over 3000 races around the world including 100 Group 1s(Grade 1s) has to be doing something right. 

During the early years, he was learning his trade as an assistant to Champion trainers Sir Noel Murless and then Vincent O Brien helping train some fine horses including The Minstrel and Be My Guest before moving on to California to start his own training career.

John was very successful in America with over 500 winners including the Breeders Cup Mile, Gamely Stakes and Eclipse Award winner Royal Heroine, after more success he moved back to England in 1998 to Stanley House Stables and the winners continued all over the world,i could write forever about all his winners but will just name two favourites of mine. Golden Horn (pictured) ran nine times, finishing first seven times and second twice and never being beaten by a male horse in what was an amazing career, the highlight for me personally was winning the 2015 Derby by three and a half lengths from stablemate Jack Hobbs after being supplemented by owner Anthony Oppenheimer. 

More Group wins followed in what was a stunning career, before retiring to stud after his final race in the Breeders Cup Turf at Keeneland. 

I couldn’t mention John Gosden without writing a quick piece about his two year old superstar Too Darn Hot which I actually knew was well thought of when Group Horse identified him as a horse to follow before he even ran so it was no surprise to see him win easily on debut at 8/11 before going on to win his next three group races and is a horse I am very much looking forward to seeing in the coming months. 

What I always mention now is normally a few courses that trainers like, well not this time we have a certain month that John seems to do very well in with his three-year-old horses. 

After spending a bit of time looking at the statistics April seems to be a profitable month for John so let's have a quick look at the last two seasons. 

April 2017 would have been a great month with 13 wins out of 42 bets with a 31.0 percent win strike rate and 174.2 percent win return at SP with the highlight being the mighty Cracksman winning for the second time at Epsom on 26th of April. 

April 2018 would give us an even better return for our money so this time 13 wins again (not such an unlucky number after all) out of 35 bets with a 37.1 win percent strike rate and a 174.6 percent win return at SP with another top class colt Without Parole also winning for the second time on the 24th of April this time at Yarmouth. 

So I will be backing three-year-olds only and in April and no Handicaps or selling races also good to firm and standard goings would be a bigger advantage.

I hope this helps and will be keeping a note of the results in the coming months so good luck all and look out for my next trainer profile series coming soon.