British 2yo Racing - 2005 Season Race Report

BRITISH 2YO RACING - 2005 Season Race Report

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020: Nottingham, April 6th : 5f (5) Maiden

RACE SUMMARY

Race was run on the far rail of the straight of the old NH course. Ground was officially soft but the time for the race was very slow and more than 3 seconds slower than any 5f 2yo race at the course 2002-4. Even allowing for the fact that the majority of those races have been run on drier going the time for this race still suggests a poor form level.

The runners that forced the pace (Bold Cross, Owners Biscuit and (early) Merchymynydd) finished well beaten. The runner that did best of those closer to the pace was the favourite Bathwick Prince representing the trainer who has had his 2yos most fit and ready so far in 2005. Even so he faded in the last half furlong and was beaten by the trainer's and owner's second string. Further evidence that the ground and the pace of the race produced a result with a low level of form and allowing the (one-paced) Ace Baby to win with a 'staying' 5f effort.

The better runners on profile all showed hints of promise and Mr Cheers, in particular, ran a solid debut by his trainer's standards. More Time was too inexperienced to show in the race but had the mild comfort of at least still going forward at the end of the race (albeit relatively slowly). Bold Cross showed some promise in leading and travelling ok in the first half of the race and this run style probably not best suited to the conditions. Even so, his fade from inside two furlongs from home was a little more than you would have liked.

As a general point the level of form shown by runners with better profiles in 2005 has been disappointing so far. Part of the reason for this may be the wetter going in a number of races which has put an emphasis on fitness/readiness and not allowed 'raw ability' to carry runners into competitive positions. However, even with that noted the runners from trainers such as R Hannon (no winner), M Channon (2 winners but debut runs more variable than usual), K Burke (no place yet) & K Ryan (one place) have been noteworthy. This has led to a situation early in the season whereby a previous run (as in this race) and/or the trainer's runner fitness on debut (R Millman with 5 wins and 3 places from 8 debut runs) has been even more of an advantage and led to races being won with relatively moderate performances.

The following tables gives the ratings given to the actual race performances ('Estimate') compared to the Profile ratings assigned before the race. Boxes in green indicate a runner that over-performed in the race against the pre-race profile and in pink one that notably under-performed.


	Ace Baby	Thomas Of Bathwick	Bathwick Prince	Mr Cheers	More Time	Owners Biscuits	Bold Cross	Merchymynydd
[Estimate] Post Race	57	53	52	51	46	40	41	21
Pre-race Profile	53	56	64	55	66	44	65	52

Ace Baby was 4/1 third favourite from 7/2. Ran off the pace and produced a one-paced staying perfomance in very soft ground and probably not needing to show much improvement from debut to win.

Thomas Of Bathwick was 16/1 and trainer and owner second string to the favourite Bathwick Prince. Driven early after leaving the stalls and well off the pace which was a good thing the way the race worked out. Kept on in the last half furlong to run through the stalled (& knackered) runners including his stablemate. The race time was so slow he probably only needed to run to his pre-race estimate to get second. No particular promise.

Bathwick Prince was steady at 3/1f and his trainer has his runners very ready in early season in 2005. Ran reasonably close to the pace in a race where the pacemakers finished towards the rear and did best of those closer to the pace. Was left in the lead briefly as the pacemakers stalled but only plugged on in a slow race. Was out-stayed by Ace Baby and picked up late by his second string stablemate Thomas Of Bathwick who had been in rear and never got into the race. Some promise but level of form was so low it is difficult to work up enthusiasm.

Mr Cheers drifted from 22/1 to 33/1 but showed some promise by trainer standards. Travelled ok behind the pacemakers and looked more professional than average for an early debut from the stable. Was able to make some progress as the leaders stalled but was slightly hampered. Got tired in the last furlong but typical for trainer runner. Did enough in a slow race to carry on tracking for 70+ ability.

More Time was steady around 15/2 but ended at 13/2 late. Was inexperienced in the race and had to be driven to keep up with the group on soft ground. Plugged on late to get to midfield as the leaders faded and, at least, was still going forward at the line. Continue to track on better going and watch for support on next run.

Owners Biscuits ran a similar race to her trainer's other debut so far in 2005. She led early and stayed prominent until fading from around one furlong out. The race was on soft ground and the pacemakers stalled and faded. In this context she did enough to suggest she can be a minor early winner in line with her trainer's record with 2yos debuting in April.

Bold Cross was steady at 7/2 second favourite. He led early at a good pace to around halfway but soon came under strong pressure and faded more than you would have liked in a slow race. The trainer's debuts have been more variable in 2005 and the softer going than in previous years may be having some effect. Worth tracking given the original profile but need to excuse the fade at the end of this run to have a fully positive view of his prospects of getting to 80+ for example.

Merchymynydd was her trainer's first runner of the season and went out from 33/1 to 50/1. Showed up prominently early but faded badly after halfway. No interest.