The final 2yo race of the week provides one last chance to combine breeding, scope and limited exposure to form on largely immature and inexperienced racehorses. Time to call in the specialist - making his debut on the site is @twoyearoldtips. You'll enjoy reading his quality analysis and he's just started a blog you can find here
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The Chesham Stakes
The Chesham Stakes is a two year old listed contest for horses sired by stallions that have won over one mile two furlongs. It is generally considered the weakest of the juvenile races at Royal Ascot and whilst this is probably fair, it is not to say it cannot produce a decent horse. Group One winner Maybe won it in 2010 and multiple Hong Kong group winner Zaidan the year before. This years race doesn't look the strongest renewal and despite the massive field of 20 can be safely narrowed down to a few protagonists.
Berkshire- By Mount Nelson out of group one winning Mare Kinnaird, he cost £60,000 and is a half brother to two winners. He ran a very promising race on debut, finishing third in a traditionally strong Newbury maiden. Only beaten 1 length by Coventry flop Championship, he had some decent sorts behind. His trainer has done okay with his juveniles this year operating a profit of £7.88. Has place possibilities in a race with loads of dead wood
Bunker- Yet another recent juvenile purchase by the Sheikh Al Thani operation. Bunker is a son of Arc and King George winner Hurricane Run. He impressed on debut, when ridden by Jimmy Fortune, easily winning by 2.5 lengths from a horse who had already shown decent form. The third that day Zeshov has since won and a few in behind give the form a solid look. Bullish noises are being made from the Hannon camp, who have won the race twice in the past five years. Must go close and in my opinion the one to beat
Calrissian- A son of German Stallion Lando who is making his debut for the Alan Jarvis team. He is in very deep and will need some god-like assistance from the saddle to make the frame. No chance
Citizen Kaine- Another debutant by a German stallion, this time Manduro. From a stable that does have first time out winners often at big prices. Not cheap at £40,000 there may well be other days for this one. Another that can be confidently written off
Flying Author- No chance on all known form
Freedom Square- respected on connections alone but did struggle to see out the seven at Gowran Park on his second start, admittedly on soft ground. Better last time when winning over six on good to firm ground at the Curragh and connections seem certain he will get further. Will have to improve on what he has shown so far, but would be foolish to write off for his master trainer
Friendship- The only representative from Ballydoyle and from their super Sire Galileo out of a Grade one winning mare who has produced nothing of note from her seven foals thus far. This one made a promising enough start on soft ground at Listowel finishing third beaten three lengths. O Brien's two year old's are on fire this season but I just feel there are enough negatives in this one's profile to be able to give him the swerve
Khee Society- The first of three representatives from the David Evans yard. Whilst known as a trainer of juveniles Evans has been responsible for a better class of winner this year, picking up a few decent maidens recently. This one has yet to get his head in front and won't be doing so here either
Know Your Name- This son of Halling caused a 40/1 shock when scoring in a Nottingham maiden, stepping up massively on his first two runs. Will be a similar price here, but will not be winning this
Lone Warrior- picked up the pieces in a messy Salisbury maiden on debut - favourite swerved interfering with the second and third horses, both of whom could be considered unlucky. Will have to step up on that form but Tom Queally has a good strike rate when teaming up with David Evans. Looks the best of the Evans triumvirate and might go well at big odds
Master Carpenter- A son of promising freshman sire Mastercraftsman. He has been targeted at this race by connections ever since his debut win over subsequent winner Beau Nash. Readily outpaced over five furlongs on his second run by Windsor Castle third Anticipated he then went to Pontefract and floored a Hannon hotpot winning quite easily and looking strong at the line. In my opinion the runner up that day is nothing special and for mine Master Carpenter has to improve a fair bit if he is to take this prize
Scargill- Beaten two lengths by Master Carpenter in the aforementioned Pontefract race. He showed improved that form that day, having previously been beaten in a seller at Bath. Has Ryan Moore on board, which is about the only positive I can find. No chance
Shepherd Gate- By Ken Ramsay's US turf stallion Kittens Joy, this one owned and trained by Stan Moore is surely there for the day out
Sir Jack Layden- trained by David Brown, who in my opinion is a vastly overrated trainer of two year old's. This one finished midfield in a York maiden on debut behind an impressive sort of Kevin Ryan's. Then was very well backed next time and ran a creditable second to a well touted Hannon newcomer. Much more on his plate here and has to improve again to be in the shake up
Somewhat- This son of Dynaformer was touted as Mark Johnston's Chesham horse prior to his debut at Musselburgh 8 days ago. Backed off the boards he duly won by 7 lengths from a potentially decent Richard Fahey newcomer. As you would expect from a horse related to a host of middle distance horses, the best being French Derby 4th Art Deco, he had no problems getting the seven furlongs and ran right to the line. If the race hasn't come too soon he has to be a massive runner. The main danger to the selection
Street Force- From a trainer renowned for throwing his horses in at the deep end and on the face of it this would appear to be another example. However there are positives to gleam from his profile. He has jockey of the moment James Doyle on his back, his trainer has had a juvenile winner at Ascot already this week, and sampled success in this race in 2010. He is also very well bred being a Street Cry half brother to Group three winner Laaheb from the further family of Luso, Warrsan and Needle Gun. Was noted to have been very green in the preliminaries on debut at Sandown and in the circumstances ran a good race to finish a never nearer 4th. A potential improver and one of the more likely outsiders to make an impression
Autumn Lily- Another progeny of Darley Stallion Street Cry and a half sister to Godolphin globetrotter Alexandros. Impressive on debut at Haydock winning easily at odds on by almost three lengths. Looking quite green early on before knuckling down to her job, suggesting improvement is probable. However that did look a weak enough maiden and she will need to find a few lengths if she is to be a win contender here
Bureau- Backed at huge odds on debut, she ran a blinder from the front before being ran down late beaten a 1/4 of a length by Zeshov, with Street Force behind. Well bred being by Halling out of a Cheveley Park winner she is a promising sort for the future but this will possibly come too soon. A decent second string to Mark Johnston's bow but an unlikely winner
Ihtimal- Has finished runner up on her two starts. Both fillies to have beaten her franked the form in today's Albany stakes. Ran a big race,seemingly well fancied, on debut. Beaten 1.75 lengths by Kiyoshi who had the advantage of experience with the consistent Memory Styx a further seven lengths back in third. On the face of it her second to her white capped stablemate at 6/4 may look a touch disappointing but the winner may be useful. Another plausible each way contender
Tinga- A rare Galileo to have escaped from Tipperary. She ran a very promising race to finish a fast finishing third on debut over six furlongs at Doncaster. Needs to improve on the bare form, the winner runs in the Albany, the runner up since well beaten by a promising sort at Leicester. She looks a surefire improver over the extra furlong but will definitely need to
Verdict
A massive field but could possibly be a match with Bunker and Somewhat looking the two to concentrate on. Although the Mark Johnston charge possibly has the better form he only ran eight days ago and I fancy Bunker who has been laid out for this to take the prize and give Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes their third winner in this race in the last six years
1 Bunker
2 Somewhat
3 Ihtimal
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The Chesham Stakes
The Chesham Stakes is a two year old listed contest for horses sired by stallions that have won over one mile two furlongs. It is generally considered the weakest of the juvenile races at Royal Ascot and whilst this is probably fair, it is not to say it cannot produce a decent horse. Group One winner Maybe won it in 2010 and multiple Hong Kong group winner Zaidan the year before. This years race doesn't look the strongest renewal and despite the massive field of 20 can be safely narrowed down to a few protagonists.
Berkshire- By Mount Nelson out of group one winning Mare Kinnaird, he cost £60,000 and is a half brother to two winners. He ran a very promising race on debut, finishing third in a traditionally strong Newbury maiden. Only beaten 1 length by Coventry flop Championship, he had some decent sorts behind. His trainer has done okay with his juveniles this year operating a profit of £7.88. Has place possibilities in a race with loads of dead wood
Bunker- Yet another recent juvenile purchase by the Sheikh Al Thani operation. Bunker is a son of Arc and King George winner Hurricane Run. He impressed on debut, when ridden by Jimmy Fortune, easily winning by 2.5 lengths from a horse who had already shown decent form. The third that day Zeshov has since won and a few in behind give the form a solid look. Bullish noises are being made from the Hannon camp, who have won the race twice in the past five years. Must go close and in my opinion the one to beat
Calrissian- A son of German Stallion Lando who is making his debut for the Alan Jarvis team. He is in very deep and will need some god-like assistance from the saddle to make the frame. No chance
Citizen Kaine- Another debutant by a German stallion, this time Manduro. From a stable that does have first time out winners often at big prices. Not cheap at £40,000 there may well be other days for this one. Another that can be confidently written off
Flying Author- No chance on all known form
Freedom Square- respected on connections alone but did struggle to see out the seven at Gowran Park on his second start, admittedly on soft ground. Better last time when winning over six on good to firm ground at the Curragh and connections seem certain he will get further. Will have to improve on what he has shown so far, but would be foolish to write off for his master trainer
Friendship- The only representative from Ballydoyle and from their super Sire Galileo out of a Grade one winning mare who has produced nothing of note from her seven foals thus far. This one made a promising enough start on soft ground at Listowel finishing third beaten three lengths. O Brien's two year old's are on fire this season but I just feel there are enough negatives in this one's profile to be able to give him the swerve
Khee Society- The first of three representatives from the David Evans yard. Whilst known as a trainer of juveniles Evans has been responsible for a better class of winner this year, picking up a few decent maidens recently. This one has yet to get his head in front and won't be doing so here either
Know Your Name- This son of Halling caused a 40/1 shock when scoring in a Nottingham maiden, stepping up massively on his first two runs. Will be a similar price here, but will not be winning this
Lone Warrior- picked up the pieces in a messy Salisbury maiden on debut - favourite swerved interfering with the second and third horses, both of whom could be considered unlucky. Will have to step up on that form but Tom Queally has a good strike rate when teaming up with David Evans. Looks the best of the Evans triumvirate and might go well at big odds
Master Carpenter- A son of promising freshman sire Mastercraftsman. He has been targeted at this race by connections ever since his debut win over subsequent winner Beau Nash. Readily outpaced over five furlongs on his second run by Windsor Castle third Anticipated he then went to Pontefract and floored a Hannon hotpot winning quite easily and looking strong at the line. In my opinion the runner up that day is nothing special and for mine Master Carpenter has to improve a fair bit if he is to take this prize
Scargill- Beaten two lengths by Master Carpenter in the aforementioned Pontefract race. He showed improved that form that day, having previously been beaten in a seller at Bath. Has Ryan Moore on board, which is about the only positive I can find. No chance
Shepherd Gate- By Ken Ramsay's US turf stallion Kittens Joy, this one owned and trained by Stan Moore is surely there for the day out
Sir Jack Layden- trained by David Brown, who in my opinion is a vastly overrated trainer of two year old's. This one finished midfield in a York maiden on debut behind an impressive sort of Kevin Ryan's. Then was very well backed next time and ran a creditable second to a well touted Hannon newcomer. Much more on his plate here and has to improve again to be in the shake up
Somewhat- This son of Dynaformer was touted as Mark Johnston's Chesham horse prior to his debut at Musselburgh 8 days ago. Backed off the boards he duly won by 7 lengths from a potentially decent Richard Fahey newcomer. As you would expect from a horse related to a host of middle distance horses, the best being French Derby 4th Art Deco, he had no problems getting the seven furlongs and ran right to the line. If the race hasn't come too soon he has to be a massive runner. The main danger to the selection
Street Force- From a trainer renowned for throwing his horses in at the deep end and on the face of it this would appear to be another example. However there are positives to gleam from his profile. He has jockey of the moment James Doyle on his back, his trainer has had a juvenile winner at Ascot already this week, and sampled success in this race in 2010. He is also very well bred being a Street Cry half brother to Group three winner Laaheb from the further family of Luso, Warrsan and Needle Gun. Was noted to have been very green in the preliminaries on debut at Sandown and in the circumstances ran a good race to finish a never nearer 4th. A potential improver and one of the more likely outsiders to make an impression
Autumn Lily- Another progeny of Darley Stallion Street Cry and a half sister to Godolphin globetrotter Alexandros. Impressive on debut at Haydock winning easily at odds on by almost three lengths. Looking quite green early on before knuckling down to her job, suggesting improvement is probable. However that did look a weak enough maiden and she will need to find a few lengths if she is to be a win contender here
Bureau- Backed at huge odds on debut, she ran a blinder from the front before being ran down late beaten a 1/4 of a length by Zeshov, with Street Force behind. Well bred being by Halling out of a Cheveley Park winner she is a promising sort for the future but this will possibly come too soon. A decent second string to Mark Johnston's bow but an unlikely winner
Ihtimal- Has finished runner up on her two starts. Both fillies to have beaten her franked the form in today's Albany stakes. Ran a big race,seemingly well fancied, on debut. Beaten 1.75 lengths by Kiyoshi who had the advantage of experience with the consistent Memory Styx a further seven lengths back in third. On the face of it her second to her white capped stablemate at 6/4 may look a touch disappointing but the winner may be useful. Another plausible each way contender
Tinga- A rare Galileo to have escaped from Tipperary. She ran a very promising race to finish a fast finishing third on debut over six furlongs at Doncaster. Needs to improve on the bare form, the winner runs in the Albany, the runner up since well beaten by a promising sort at Leicester. She looks a surefire improver over the extra furlong but will definitely need to
Verdict
A massive field but could possibly be a match with Bunker and Somewhat looking the two to concentrate on. Although the Mark Johnston charge possibly has the better form he only ran eight days ago and I fancy Bunker who has been laid out for this to take the prize and give Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes their third winner in this race in the last six years
1 Bunker
2 Somewhat
3 Ihtimal
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