Friday's Horse Racing (24th June)

It's been a while since I last posted, you know how it is when life gets in the way, work, drinking, sports and then lack of motivation hasn't helped but here I am ready to write about a few trackers that have come through.

17.15 Newmarket

Nice race coming up here and eleven go to post in what looks like an open contest with the current favourite Pureness 5/1 for George Boughey and William Buick. I have two trackers in this, first is Royal Dress for Richard Hannon the Night Of Thunder filly played up in the stalls before her debut at Haydock last month and probably blew any chance she had. That was a decent race to be honest so I wouldn't be so quick to write her off. My other tracker is the one I've had a small each way bet on. Karl Burke unleashed a lovely prospect at Royal Ascot last week when Holloway Boy won the Chesham Stakes on debut, I'm pretty sure they thought a lot of this Ulysses colt and wouldn't have been anywhere near Ascot if they didn't like him, anyway Poppy Carrew is the one I've been waiting for after a satisfactory debut at York earlier this month. A 62,000 euro purchase for owners Nick Bradley and E Burke, attracted some late support on debut and went off 13/2, a touch slowly away and outpaced for her first time on the racecourse and nudged along by Clifford Lee for most of the race, Poppy Carrew didn't give up and stayed on the best the final furlong making up ground on the winner Mersea. I'm hoping a bit more clued up at the start today and she can be in the finish. A few potential nice horses here so one race not to go mad on. Around 11/2 now but I've got 13/2, any drift would be negative.

18.25 Newmarket 

I just noticed one tracker I've been waiting a good while for. The Dubawi filly Pure Dignity makes her debut for Roger Varian. Very well regarded last year as a 2yo so I was expecting to see her in a few of the top races this season. Nice pedigree and comes with a hefty price tag, a cool 2,500,000 euros to be precise. A bit of a shame only five runners plus goes against the odds on Appleby filly Light Of Peace, but as Pure Dignity is one of my 3yos to follow I've had a go at 5/2 but around 2s now. 

A few tomorrow.

13.55 Chester

Odds on shot Silencer you would imagine to be good enough here but no bet for me.

13.25 Curragh

Should be more to Hermana Estrella's liking now she drops in class. NR

16.03 Newcastle

Clearpoint looks above average for Richard Fahey and has good claims despite a win penalty here. No bet but looking forward to seeing how good he is.

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Author: Craig Newton

Can Emaraty Be The Hero For Karl Burke (Plus Reviews And Previews)

First off, a pretty shocking day today by anybody’s standard with all three of my fancies disappointing. I expected a lot better from Grand Bazaar who plugged on to finish third without threatening the front pair. Next up was Too Big To Fail who was never going well and soundly beaten in the end. Some promise was shown by my tracker Float who dwelt but kept on towards the finish, which could be interesting next timeout. Last was Streeton who drifted to 8/1 before the off, I knew my fate once this happened. 

A good few 2-year-old races tomorrow so hopefully, I can at least get a run for my money on one. 

13:55 Newmarket 23 Oct 2019.

Emaraty Hero is well-thought-of by trainer Karl Burke. I am confident this 55,000 gns Lope De Vega colt has ability. Karl Burke gave Emaraty Hero two significant early entries in the shape of the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes and Saturdays Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes but takes this option. He looked pretty professional on debut when smartly away and knew his job from the off. It was a promising debut despite finishing third he had two nice horses in front of him. Tsar and Glenties both look nice types for the future. Emaraty Hero looks to have the size and scope to improve and will hopefully strip fitter tomorrow and go one better than Newcastle. 

Another worth mentioning is the John Gosden newcomer King Leonidas who former jockey Alan Rutter gave me as his John Gosden horse to follow. He too had an entry on Saturdays Group 1 race but doesn't run. To add to that we have the Richard Hannon newcomer Mafia Power plus a few other potentially nice types. A race not to go mad on but hopefully Emaraty Hero will drift to an each-way price. 

18:40 Kempton 23 Oct 2019 

Sorrel looks likely to go off favourite here and rightly so after an eye-catching debut over this CD last month. The form of that race looks decent and Sorrel was well-supported before the off when backed down from 6s to 7/2. Sorrel should know more this time out and will hopefully get her head in front today. 

15:05 Newmarket 23 Oct 2019 

Despite starting off a big price for debut (33/1) Grain Of Sense made a pretty promising debut despite being ridden for most of it. The Ralph Beckett trained Teofilo colt ran on past beaten horses and looks to need every inch of this one-mile two-furlong race. Princess Bride looks a danger after getting blocked off when making her run at Leicester the last timeout. 

19:00 Chelmsford City 24 Oct 2019

I am not sure I will be betting on Farnham here but I am intrigued to see how this bay 3-year-old filly runs. Roger Varian gave her a host of significant entries as a 2-year-old, but she didn't run all season. Farnham made her debut in April this year at Newbury. The Farhh filly was sent off 13/8 favourite and despite finishing fifth I thought she could have won and was given an easy introduction. I was expecting to see her back out not long after but here we are in October and it’s only her second run of her career. It’s a guessing game whether she still has the ability she had as a 2-year-old but I for one can’t wait to see her run again. 

Good luck and thanks for reading.

Weekly 2- Old-Eye-Catchers (Monday 19th-Sunday 25th August)

17:25 Yarmouth 20 Aug 2019: 

Pocket Square was given a nice introduction at Yarmouth on Tuesday. This homebred Night Of Thunder Roger Charlton filly was well-supported on debut and despite finishing third in the six runner race I was impressed by how she handled herself. Pocket Square looked professional from the start with Jason Watson giving her a crack of the whip a couple of furlongs out, she couldn’t quite match the pace of the winner but was getting the hang of things late on. I guess after a pleasing debut she won't be much of a price next start but I will be hoping she can improve and get her first win. 

14:15 Bath 21 Aug 2019: 

Tommy Rock looks a 2-year-old to follow after a pleasing debut in the Sounds Commercial Bristol Maiden Stakes at Bath on Wednesday. The Clive Cox trained Society Rock colt is owned by Mr Peter Ridgers and was purchased for 100,000 euros as a yearling in the October sales last year. The fact that this grey colt was drawn wide on debut made life a little more difficult, having said that he will have learnt plenty from his first run. Tommy Rock was tapped for toe early on before getting the hang of things later on. The eventual winner Brad The Brief had already flown before Tommy Rock had got into top gear. We will see a much better performance next time out and Tommy Rock will benefit with a step up in distance. I would go as far as saying the 2/1 favourite was the best horse in the race and a win is just around the corner. 

14:05 Carlisle 21 Aug 2019: 

I could be barking up the wrong tree with this 2-year-old to follow but Dandy’s Angel made a pleasing debut at Carlisle this week. I know trainer John Wainwright isn't the most fashionable 2-year-old trainer, in fact, I can't find the last time he actually had a 2-year-old winner, to be honest, but this Dandy Man filly was bought for 20,000 gns this year and despite being way behind early on jockey Sean Davis got a great tune out of her and from being a country mile behind she stayed on quite nicely to finish third behind Deb’s Delight. It wasn't the best race but I am sure she can get her head in front soon and win a small race for owner Mr Anthony Ross. 

14:05 Newmarket 23 Aug 2019: 

Not sure how good the form of the C J Murfitt Ltd Fillies' Novice Stakes race is but the one I will be putting in my trackers is the David Simcock trained Broadbeach. The 60,000 gns Dandy Man filly ran a cracker on her debut. Hayley Turner gave her a peach of a ride and it was only the last furlong Broadbeach began to wander a bit. The 33/1 shot will have learned a lot from that debut and will be looking to get her first win on the board next timeout. 

15:15 Newmarket 23 Aug 2019: 

Am guessing Never Alone will be odds on next start after a promising first run. This was an impressive debut in what looked like a hot little contest. It was all about the other Charlie Appleby colt Royal Crusade here who looks top class after a tidy win but the 1,200,000 gns Dubawi colt Never Alone was staying on at the finish and will be winning races soon enough. 

16:15 York 23 Aug 2019: 

You know most of the horses entered in the Convivial Maiden Stakes race will be decent. The price that the Tom Dascome colt Pot Of Paint was huge. The 66/1 shot was kept at the back by Richard Kingscote before he weaved his way through beaten horses to finish strongly into fourth place. That was an excellent run considering he was at the back until a few furlongs out and the form of the winner looks rock solid. Definitely, one who should pick up a race in the near future. Thanks for reading and look out for my next 2-year-olds to follow

Spencer Hoping For A Double At Redcar (Plus 2-Year-Old Previews)

17:15 Windsor 24 Aug 2019: 

Phuket Power ran a pleasing debut at Sandown a couple of weeks ago. The Tom Dascombe Kodiac colt looked like he needed the run that day and it showed with a slow start. To be honest the well-regarded winner Master Mcgrath was out the stalls like a bat out of hell and am not sure even Usain Bolt could have kept up. The 75,000 euro King Power purchase looked professional enough and De Sousa gave him a nice introduction. The step up to 6 furlongs looks ideal as Phuket Power was flying once the penny had dropped. Looks to have a great chance of making the frame at least. 

Bill The Butcher for the Richard Spencer yard. A £64,000 purchase for Rebel Racing. The Starspangledbanner colt has a few significant entries to his name, the betting will show how clued-up he is on debut. 

Serious Jockin is well-entered but disappointed twice for me and I have lost faith in this Mick Channon horse. 

13:40 Newmarket 24 Aug 2019:

Electrical Storm has some serious form to his name. The Dubawi colt has done everything but win in his three starts to date. Has been beaten by some top-notch 2-year-olds and has a host of decent entries coming up. The homebred Saeed bin Suroor colt needs to put in a decent performance here to take his place in any of the entries. I would be surprised if he can't get the much-needed win today.

Huraiz won't be letting Electrical storm have it all his own way. This Mark Johnston Sepoy colt has also been given some lofty entries by his trainer. Looked impressive on debut at Newcastle when easily beating the favourite River Cam by over 2-lengths. Has to give weight away for that win and that makes things a bit more difficult against Electrical Storm. 

17:30 Redcar 24 Aug 2019: 

It could be a nice day at Redcar for Richard Spencer as Tyler Durden will be hoping to complete the first part in a 2-year-old double for him. The Bungle Inthejungle colt made a pleasing debut at Yarmouth a couple of weeks back. A cheap purchase at 16,000 euro by the Rebel Racing Team back in September 2018. Tyler Durden was ridden along at the back for the first few furlongs before getting the hang of things late on and finishing with a rattle. Hopefully, he will be ridden more prominent today and can grab a place at least. 

18:00 Redcar 24 Aug 2019: 

It could be wishful thinking here I know but I'm hoping another Richard Spencer horse can do the business for me. Katniss Everdeen is a lovely Camacho filly owned by Rebel Racing. Another cheap purchase at 10,000 euros in September 2018. Katniss was well-supported on debut when backed from 25/1 to 16/1 before the off. Looking green on debut and kept in midfield by Harry Bentley before staying on gradually at the finish. An extra furlong should suit and hopefully, she can get in the first three home. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Friday's Preview (22nd August)

17:35 Goodwood 23 Aug 2019: 

Two horses of interest in the British E.B.F. Novice Stakes for 2-year-olds. The hot favourite I imagine will be the Charlie Appleby trained Volkan Star and rightly so. This Sea The Stars bay colt cost a cool 1,000,000 gns at the 2018 October Yearling sales. A pretty professional debut at Newmarket when travelling strongly throughout the race but was beaten by the unexpected winner Cepheus who is also highly regarded by trainer Brian Meehan. As for Volkan Star, this looks to be a stepping stone to bigger and better things. I imagine the step up in trip will bring out more improvement. The other horse of interest who could be each-way value is the Andrew Balding-trained Hold Fast. This Fastnet Rock filly made her debut here at the beginning of the month. Slowly away that day and looking very inexperienced, David Probert gave her a nice introduction and when the penny dropped she made steady progress. Stepping up in trip should bring some improvement and any market support will add a bit of confidence in what looks a nice race. 

14:15 Ffos Las 23 Aug 2019: 

Skontonovski is trained by Richard Spencer. This Harbour Watch colt made a pleasing debut at Newmarket at the beginning of August. Purchased for £50,000 in August 2018 and owned by Rebel Racing Premier. Skontonovski must have been working well before his debut because he started off 7/2 second favourite to the eventual winner Lazuli. This looked like a pretty nice race with the third-placed Ziggle Pops well-thought-of by Richard Hannon. Skontonovski was hampered at the start and checked when making his move a furlong out before running on again. Trainer Richard Spencer thinks very highly of Skontonovski and I expect a win won't be far away. Skontonovski was well-backed the other day at Windsor but was withdrawn. I may take an early price in case money comes in for him again. One negative is Richard Spencer hasn’t had the best 2-year-old season. 

14:05 Newmarket 23 Aug 2019: 

Two trackers of note here: 

Thread Of Silver.
Tomouh. 

15:15 Newmarket 23 Aug 2019: 

This looks above average race with a few big guns ready to be unleashed. A real tough call to pick the winner but I will note my trackers: 

Royal Crusade for the Charlie Appleby yard. This Shamardal homebred colt looks a nice type on paper and is highly regarded by Charlie Appleby who has given him a Group 1 and Group 2 entry. 

Impatient for the Ralph Beckett yard. The More Than Ready filly looked professional on debut at Kempton. Not the best draw and outpaced 3 furlongs out before staying on again the final furlong to close the gap on the nice Gosden winner Eshaasy. Should come on plenty for the experience and interested to see any market support for this nice looking filly. 

Great Image had an early entry for the Class 2 Peter Walwyn Stakes at Salisbury in June but didn't run. 

Good luck and thanks for reading.

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.

Lady Bowthorpe Ready to Roll for William Jarvis (3rd August)

I will preview a few races soon but first I would like to thank Aaron and Sam for being part of the Saturday Trixie the past few months. We didn't quite hit the jackpot, but we had a few winners plus a few laughs along the way. To be honest, it takes a bit of time sorting out and I feel I haven't been concentrating on all of my trackers coming through plus watching the replays of the days racing. Anyway thanks again boys it's been a pleasure and good luck with your daily double.

15:55 Chelmsford City 03 Aug 2019

Lady Bowthorpe for the William Jarvis yard. At first glance, her debut run last season looks a pretty professional run apart from being slowly away she soon caught up but then couldn't match the pace of the talented William Haggas runner Hidden Message. I guess if you don't look at Group Horse you wouldn't know that she was entered in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket as a 2-year-old. A little more digging reveals in 2017 William Jarvis only had one horse entered in Group races and it was the 99 rated Mrs Gallagher who won a Listed race on her reappearance as a 3-year-old at Bath. It gets better, the owner of Mrs Gallagher is Ms E L Banks and you guessed it Ms E L Banks also owns Lady Bowthorpe. It will be interesting to see how she runs after over 300 days off the track. Lady Bowthorpe was well-supported at Yarmouth the other week but withdrawn for being unruly at the start. Hopefully, she will behave this time and it will be interesting to see if she still has the talents that William Jarvis thought she had as a 2-year-old. This looks a higher standard than the Yarmouth race with some potentially nice horses running. The betting guide will give some clues on how she will run on her reappearance, even if she runs terrible I will always enjoy trying to unearth a winner or two. 

17:30 Lingfield 03 Aug 2019 

Passing Fashion for the Ralph Beckett yard. This Raven’s Pass gelding was bought by owner P D Savill for 38,000 gns in May. Made a pleasing debut at Chepstow despite being drawn low. Passing Fashion looked to know his job that day and despite being tapped for toe he stayed on strongly towards the finish and being by Raven’s Pass the step up in trip should suit. The first that day was Richard Hannon’s Malvern who is well-thought-of and had an entry for a Class 2 Conditions Stakes race on Sunday at Chester but doesn't run. The favourite Wren could be anything but with a penalty to overcome I am willing to take him on with Passing Fashion and hopefully I can get an each way price, could be wishful thinking that. 

15:15 Newmarket 03 Aug 2019 

Angel Of Delight for the Hugo Palmer yard. 130,000 gns Dark Angel filly who made a pleasing debut at Lingfield in June. Awkwardly away and behind leaders until staying on steadily towards the finish. The extra furlong should suit and the fact she had an early entry for a Class 2 Maiden Stakes race at Goodwood on Thursday gives me the confidence of an improved performance today. Looks a tough race with some nice newcomers including another tracker of mine Festival Star who was also entered for the same Goodwood race on Thursday. A small each-way bet for me. Thanks for reading and good luck.

Strong Power Takes on the Godolphin Four (2.25 Newmarket)

2.25 Newmarket

Montaz Restaurant British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10)(2YO Only) 

A decent looking 2-year-old race to get stuck into here with a few nice looking newcomers, plus a couple who have already had the experience of the racecourse. 

1 City Walk: I always make a note of S Bin Suroor first runners of the 2-year-old season, and if you have read some of my past posts you will know it was going to be Making History but for whatever reason he wasn't declared, which was frustrating for me as I wrote about him twice, anyway enough waffling on, this 70.000 yearling could be the second string with Pat Cosgrove on board, last year Pat had four 2-year-old rides for this yard and no winners. 

2 Electrical Storm: Another S Bin Suroor runner with Ryan Moore booked to ride this Dubawi colt, looking a bit deeper at the jockey booking shows that Ryan Moore has only ever ridden for this yard twice over the past four years and the result was a third and an eighth place, not sure what to make of that, to be honest. 

3 Full Verse: This Charlie Appleby Colt has a huge price tag around his neck, 600,000 gns in fact, I know the horse doesn't know this, but he will be expected to perform at a high level in the future. Will it be today? Who knows but James Doyle will be doing his best am sure. James Doyle has a great record over the past three years, 10 wins from 17 rides in 2-year-old novice and maiden company at Newmarket which is pretty good going if you ask me. 

4 Lexington Quest: Lexington Quest was Richard Hannon's first 2-year-old runner of the season and had an early entry for the Brocklesby but never ran, so when he ran at Windsor and was backed into 5/2 favourite I expected a good run but was never involved and looked very green. 

5 Millionaire Waltz: Runs for the Paul Cole Yard who has only run one 2-year-old this season, and it was a 16/1 winner, you never know what to expect with Paul Cole runners sometimes they can win at big odds but at Newmarket, his record is 0 wins out of 7 runners.

6 Percy Green: 40.000 yearling from the Karl Burke yard who doesn't have many 2-year-old winners in April and has already had a few runners this April with no joy. 

7 Strong Power: This Kodiac colt ran a great race in the Brocklesby and finished second to Show Me Show Me, that looks a decent performance as a few horses have franked the Brocklesby form already, so I would be expecting improvement from this George Scott trained runner. 

8 Well of Wisdom: Second runner for the Charlie Appleby stable. William Buick rides this Oasis Dream colt, Buick also has a great record riding Charlie Appleby 2-year-old horses at Newmarket, over the past three years he’s had 24 rides with 11 wins in novice and maiden races. 

Conclusion: As you probably know yourself this is a dam hard race to solve, but this could produce a few winners in the future so I will be keeping an eye out for a few of these. As always I think the market will prove the answer and if Strong Power is available at an each-way price I could be tempted. 

Thanks for reading and good luck whatever you bet on.