Our flat racing expert Alan Hughes will be keeping his notebook up-to-date over the course of the 2012 season, making sure we have those eye catchers registered for the future. Make sure you check back for the latest precocious 2 year olds or classic bound horses that are certain to be dangerous in the coming months…

2 Year Old’s To Follow

Storm Moon (Mark Johnston) – Won on debut in taking fashion at Musselburgh. This guy burst from the stalls like you wouldn’t believe and routed his field. Should go in again in novice company over the minimum 5f trip. *WON 24.04.12 SOUTHWELL* Likely to take in another novice event or move up to listed class after his Southwell win when making all in a similar style to his debut at Musselburgh. 5f is as far as he wants still but suspicion is that he is not quite top draw.

Bailey’s Jubilee (Mark Johnston) – A nice filly who showed a lot of speed when winning on debut at Kempton. She showed a liking to the all-weather and is bred well so should go on again. She is another that wouldn’t want anything further than 5f at the moment. *WON 18.04.12 NEWMARKET*Another wonderful turn of foot shown at Newmarket, taking care of a small but select field. She may take in a fillies race at York en route to something at group level.  *ENTERED 18.05.12 YORK* As expected, this filly is all set for the Marygate and is currently the odd-on favourite. She has looked really special in her two runs to date and could take this before going to Royal Ascot.

My Boy Bill (Mick Easterby) – this gelding won the Brocklesby at Doncaster and came from last to first with a lovely change of speed. He is well bred being a half-brother to Lincoln hero Penitent and should progress nicely. A step up in trip to 6f should suit, if not 7f towards the summer. The maiden this chap won is not turning out to be very strong in terms of collateral form, but, he may still be worth following as horses with the ability to put races to bed as he did often pop up again!

Heavy Metal (Mark Johnston) – A well bred colt who showed up nicely on his first start before fading. Give him one more chance to see if he has learnt from the experience. Mark Johnston has hit the ground running with his juveniles this season and if that is anything to go by then Heavy Metal must have been the most forward to have run in the Brocklesby. He knew his job that day but didn’t finish his race, downhill at Brighton should suit a bit better and the soft ground should not be too inconvenient seens as though his dam relished such conditions. *WON BRIGHTON 03/05/12* This one got off the mark nicely at Brighton and the experience has obviously done wonders for him. *ENTERED YORK 18/05/12* Looks to be a tough race for him on the Knavesmire but he should have come on for his win on the south coast. Whether he is good enough for this I’m not sure against the hot favourite, we’ll see!

All Fur Coat (Jo Hughes) – A nice filly for a small trainer. This one finished 2nd on debut and wasn’t unfancied. Apparently she is a lovely worker but a tad immature. Keep an eye on her in a small maiden as her price may be bigger than if she was trained by a bigger name. *2ND 10/1 19.04.12 NEWMARKET* Worth one more try in maiden/novice company but has rewarded each-way players already.  *WON 9/2 09.05.12 CHESTER*

Search For A Classic Winner

CAMELOT – Epsom Derby, goes their with a favourite’s chance after a nice win in the 2000 Guineas. He will have come on a bundle for that and the form is working out ok. The son of Galileo will relish the step up in distance and is the one to beat.

BONFIRE – Epsom Derby, a taking performance at York in the Dante Stakes when pulling clear of the field with Ektihaam, leaving Fencing in 3rd well ahead of the rest. The form looks really strong and I wanted to see him before getting interested for the main event. He is still not a sure fire stayer for me but obviously has class in abundance.

IMPERIAL MONARCH – English /Irish Derby or St Leger, I tipped this one up when he won at Sandown this season and think he could be one to watch this season. He won that day after travelling about 2f further than his rivals due to Joseph O’Brien steering a wide course to get better ground at the Esher track. He looked green and leggy but is sure to get a trip and could be a dark horse to keep an eye on.

Handicap Good Things

Exceedance (Bryan Smart) – This colt burst back onto the scene at Kempton in early May when literally blitzing a decent 9 runner field (class 4) over 5f, winning by 5 lengths and breaking the course record in the process. He ran off 79 that day so obviously might be able to go in again soon if the handicapper puts him up just the 7lbs. His liking for a synthetic surface is evident, so if he turns out again on the sand do not hesitate to get stuck in, that said, more caution should be given to see if he can transfer such form to the turf.

Gabrial (Richard Fahey) – A nice 2 year old winning his first two starts, his last run of 2011 was in the Coventry at Royal Ascot in which he bombed out. This colt returned at Musselburgh running off 89 and was incredibly unlucky in running, not seeing light of day for the whole trip round. He should be very interesting next time at around a mile.  *2ND 10.05.12 CHESTER*

Others

Gabrials Star (Bryan Smart) – One raced 3 year old owned by Dr Marwan Koukash. This Hernando colt won on debut at Hamilton after being very green throughout. He will have learnt a lot from that and could be dangerous this year if he has trained on. It will be interesting to see where he goes as he doesn’t have any immediate or classic engagements. Luckless passage on the 18th April at Beverley, watch this one for next time!