Man Of The Night Impresses On Debut (Plus Reviews And Preview)

Reviews: 

Quick update on a few trackers that have run this week. First was the 14.30 at Musselburgh on Wednesday. I had two trackers running here and both had a ding-dong battle to the line with Bill Neigh just getting up to beat Ventura Flame. Both are nice types and will pick up a couple of races this season but I didn't bet as both too short. Willa was also short and was a no bet and was disappointingly fourth. 

Quite a few reputations on the line on Thursday. Exciting Days had drifted all day in the 14.50 at Yarmouth so was a no bet for me, I can’t stress this enough that I won't bet if a 2-year-old tracker drifts like Exciting Days did today, yes the odd time the drifters win but I like to see my horses getting supported. My other tracker in the race was the eventual winner Iffraaz who showed his class and won at a generous price of 7/4. 

Later on, was the Newbury evening meeting which I had been looking forward to for a while now. I mentioned a couple of exciting prospects running in the 18.20 at Newbury in my last post. First was the 140,000 gns purchase So Sharp for Archie Watson and then the Richard Hannon Dark Angel Filly Dark Lady. So Sharp was steadily backed throughout the day and from an early price of 5/2 she was sent of 11/10 favourite while my second tracker Dark Lady drifted out to 6/1 as the support for So Sharp continued up until race time. I had a small win bet on Dark Lady as I missed the boat on So Sharp. 

The race itself proves that money talks especially with 2-year-olds. The bookies had it spot on this time as So Sharp and Dark Lady settled down to battle it out in the last furlong. It seemed to me Hollie Doyle was pulling double and apart from So Sharp showing a bit of inexperience and hanging right the result was never in doubt as she ran on to win by a comfortable length. As for Dark Lady that was a lovely introduction and am sure she will be contesting some Group races herself this season. 

In my post on the 26th June, I mentioned 3 Horses to Follow and one was running in the 18.55. Man Of The Night was one I mentioned and checking the market the night before the early price of 13/8 was soon gobbled up from some shrewd punters who knew how good this Richard Hannon colt is. By the time I was on my work break at 10am he was a shade of odds on and you would have been lucky to get even money. Another no bet for me at the price, going off topic a bit but from a selfish betting perspective I would have liked to have seen one of my trackers disappoint so next time I could get a bit of value. Anyway that wasn’t the case as Man Of Night soon quickened clear and ran out an impressive winner. Richard Hannon and owner Mr Saeed Manana have some serious firepower this season with Man Of The Night and his half brother Wild Thunder. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert With Preview:

18:40 Beverley 05 Jul 2019: Mighty Spirit has solid form to her name. Trained by Richard Fahey and owned by the down to earth John Dance. Might Spirit has run with credit in all three races and none more so than coming sixth in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. Will be a major disappointment if she gets beat here. No bet. 

19:25 Haydock 05 Jul 2019: Top Class Angel for Richard Hannon. I can’t seem to catch the Richard Hannon horses at the right time. This Dark Angel filly cost 240,000 euros so was not exactly cheap and was nibbled at from 7/1 to 5/1 on her debut. The experience will have done her good and I will be keeping a close eye on the market to see if supported again (8/1 time of writing). Could be an each way bet if doesn't drift like Exciting days did today. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Man Of The Night wins in confident style on debut for @rhannonracing and @LeveySean 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/mnCMdjifpC

— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) July 4, 2019

Mia's No Diva As She Powers Home (Plus Reviews And Previews)

It’s been quite a busy few days and trying to find time to update the many trackers coming through is bloody time-consuming but the more information I put into it makes me feel confident when deciding which trackers to bet on. As far as the blog goes this week has turned out alright but could have been better for me personally. 

The start of a new month means the start of a new me as I plan to try to step back and be a bit more cautious when it comes to betting on my trackers(not sure how long that will last, to be honest). Monday I had three trackers going and as I said a new me meant Dark Kris who was odds on was a no bet and it turned out to be the correct decision as the Richard Hughes trained odds on favourite was a disappointing second to Rich Belief. Those lofty ambitions that the trainer and connections had when they gave Dark Kris an entry for the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot seem like a world away. He was a touch keen but should have won this in a canter. The other tracker was Cherokee Mist for Charlie Appleby. This $500,000 City Zip colt looks a major disappointment for the Godolphin team. His first run set the alarm bells ringing when he finished second to last, so I was interested to see how the market was before I bet, he drifted so that made my mind up and he was a no bet for me as for Cherokee Mist he disappointed again, am not sure where he will go from here. 

I was looking forward to Mia Diva's next run and was in two minds on Sunday night whether to take the 8/1 early price but stayed on the side of caution and waited till ten the next morning to see if this John Quinn Exceed and Excel filly had attracted any support, she had and 9/2 was the best price available. Each way bet on and ready for 18.00 at Catterick. Mia Divas first race was in a hot Novice contest, and I was pretty confident she was a useful horse but the one worry was the 70 odd day lay off. The 9/2 quickly disappeared, and she ended up 3/1 second favourite. Mia Diva broke well and Jason Hart tracked the leader before taking it up at the final furlong marker and staying on to win by just over a length. Mia Diva looks a nice filly and still looked a touch green to me. I will be looking forward to seeing what John Quinn and owners Phoenix thoroughbred Limited do next. 

Another three trackers on Tuesday and the cautious approach bit me on the ass, first was Dragon Command at Hamilton. I am sure I checked the betting on Monday night and this George Scott trained gelding was around 5/2. Even though his form was solid I thought he was a bit too short in the betting and forgot about it. I watched the end of the race and when I saw his starting price I was gutted. Next was Dramatic Sands another with solid form but was a short-priced favourite. Dramatic Sands kept on well and beat the rallying Overpriced Mixer to make it two winners out of two trackers. My only bet Swinley Forest was next and all I was thinking was if he wins I have fucked up big time and not done a treble but as it happened Swinley ran a fair race despite being keen and ran on at the finish in what looked a decent enough race. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert: 

18:20 Kempton 03 Jul 2019: Willa is a short-priced favourite at the time of writing, no bet. 

14:30 Musselburgh 03 Jul 2019: Bill Neigh another short price so no bet, but looks a nice type for the John Ryan stable. 

14:30 Musselburgh 03 Jul 2019: Ventura Flame for Keith Dalgliesh, short again so no bet. Thursday looks a belter of a day for 2-year-old racing with some nice looking prospects on show. 

14:50 Yarmouth 04 Jul 2019: Exciting Days runs for Robert Cowell and owner K Dasmal. Bought for $45,000 at the Keeneland sales last September. Ran a fair debut in what looked like an average Maiden despite being keen. 

14:50 Yarmouth 04 Jul 2019: Iffraaz brings the best form to the table after beating Hurstwood on his debut in May. Hurstwood franked that form when beating a few nice types in a Class 2 Conditions Stakes race the other day. He disappointed in his next race at Royal Ascot when relatively fancied. Has to shoulder a win penalty. 

18:20 Newbury 04 Jul 2019: So Sharp is a 140,000 gns purchase for Archie Watson. Talented 2-year-old who will be winning races this season, market check on debut, 

18:20 Newbury 04 Jul 2019: Dark Lady is a homebred filly for the Cheveley Park team and trained by Richard Hannon. Lovely pedigree and should also win races this season, market check needed on debut. 

18:55 Newbury 04 Jul 2019: Man Of The Night is a $350,000 Night of Thunder colt for Richard Hannon, very well thought of and exciting prospect, market check needed on debut. Thanks for reading and good luck.

Three to Follow (Plus My June Review)

I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of June and the flat season is well and truly in full swing now which means loads of trackers and loads of bets compared to May. I will be showing my bets and results for June next week and at the minute I don't really want to work it out, to be honest. May was a great month when I was in profit by 34 pounds for a 1 pound level stake but June has been a bit hit-and-miss with some bad decisions and of course a bit of bad luck along the way. 

Pinatubo has been my main highlight for June. I picked him out for the last day of Ascot, and he was a much-needed win for what was a forgettable Royal Ascot in terms of betting, but a great meeting to watch and savour overall. Big City was another nice winner for my trackers and another much-needed win when things hadn't been going to plan. Lincoln Blue ran a great race for me, I backed him at 28/1 each way and thought he was going to win only to get beat a neck in the end. Lexi The One was an 18/1 third and Kuwait Direction was 9/1 and beaten a short head. Last but not least was Willa yesterday who I had an each way bet on at 14/1, she ran a great race to finish second to the easy winner Picture Frame. Horse racing is like a roller coaster it has its ups and downs and nothing is guaranteed especially with 2-year-olds. Let’s hope July is more like May and I can get a few more winners to keep the betting bank ticking over. 

A few horses I will be keeping an eye out for over the coming weeks are: 

Man Of The Night: This Richard Hannon trained Night Of Thunder colt should be out soon and it wouldn't surprise me to see this nicely bred horse contest some decent races this season. Purchased by owner Saeed Manana for 350,000 euros in August last year. The same connections have already had a debut winner this season with Man Of The Night's half-brother Wild Thunder who went off at a huge price of 10/1 when winning a Novice Stakes race at Goodwood in May. 

Galactic Glow: This William Jarvis trained No Nay Never colt was purchased for 160,000 gns in October last year by multiple racehorse owner Clive Washbourn. This bay colt must have been catching pigeons on the gallops because the opening show of 5/1 didn't last long and was soon backed down to 2/1 joint-favourite for his Maiden race at Doncaster in May. Galactic Glow made a pleasing debut when staying on in the final furlong to finish third. I will be looking forward to seeing him step up in trip and hopefully get a win on the board soon. 

Plymouth Rock: This John Quinn trained Starspangledbanner colt should be making his debut in the coming weeks if not days. Purchased by Tabor, Smith, Magnier and Shanahan for 220,000 gns in April this year. Plymouth Rock has an excellent pedigree and I will be disappointed if he can’t pick up a nice race in the future. 

Timeform Early Declaration: 

14:10 Newmarket 27 Jun 2019 Black Type Accountancy Novice Auction Stakes: Album 

14:10 Newmarket 27 Jun 2019 FBlack Type Accountancy Novice Auction Stakes Flash Henry. 

8:25 Leicester 27 Jun 2019 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes: Dark Moonlight. 

18:25 Leicester 27 Jun 2019 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes: Fred. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.