3 Dark Horses 2018

The two-year-old horse racing season it building a head of steam and Patient Speculation has its finger on the throttle. We know our readers love to bet so check out www.novibet.co.uk to see the latest odds on all your horse racing meeting. We are lucky enough to have some excellent contact who detail the best two-year-old race horses in training. In fact, big or small stable we can find their secret weapons - those dark horses which get the column inches. 

Take a look at these talented two-year-olds:

Art Du Val - Trained by Charlie Appleby 

Godolphin have been a little hit and miss with their two-year-olds this season. However, they have still hit the mark with a few fair talents. Remember La Pelosa, Quorto and Beyond Reason. They have all shown ample ability, some racing at Group class. One debutante worthy of respect is Art Du Val. This bay colt is a son of Nay Say Never who cost 120,000G when purchased at the yearling sales. The mare raced just four times and runner-up on a couple of outings competing up to listed class. Art Dul Val was meant to run around mid July but a non runner. He is clearly held in some regard being given a coupe of significant entries including a Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) & Futurity Stake (Group 2) in Ireland. This is just one of two entries for the Gimcrack from this stable which looks a very big indicator to ability. Should go well on debut.  

Lady Aria - Trained by Michael Bell 

Michael Bell is a a gifted trainer but often difficult to assess with his debutantes. They can win but that is usually the reserve for the best in the stable. Others may prove disappointing before improving on their second start. Lady Aria is worth noting because she is one of three two-year-olds the handler has entered for the Lowther Stakes (Group 2). This British-bred daughter of Kodiac cost 125,000G at the yearling sales now in the ownership of Amo Racing Ltd. 

Lady In France - Trained by Karl Burke 

One of my favourite trainers. A superb handler of two-year-olds. You only have to look back to Quiet Reflection for Onetoawinner racing syndicate. Whether he has anything of that class is another thing. However, he does exceptionally well with his two-year-olds and that's reason enough to take note of Lady In France. This February foal is a bay daughter of Showcasing in the ownership of Clipper Logistics. She cost 210,000G. The mare won on her second start. Although just a fair handicapper with a rating in the 80s she was a consistent type who plied her trade up to listed class. Lady In France has been given a Lowther Stakes (Group 2) entry. The only other horse to be given such an entry is Little Kim who won easily on debut and won a Group 3 race in France. I get a good feel about this filly.

Good luck. 

Photo: Pixabay free no attribution 

4:40 Chelmsford Racing Tips (15th Dec) TOTEPLACEPOT SIX PLACES IN SIX RACES MEDIAN AUCTION MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 5) (2yo)

A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 7f on Standard going. 

Ten two-year-olds take part. 

The betting suggests there are three major players.

Marco Botti's Omran ran well on debut at Doncaster over 6f on good to firm going late into the turf season. This daughter of Choisir was a cheap foal at just 3,000G by Emerald Bloodstock. Now in the ownership of H E S Al - Kaabi. She was backed from 12-1 on debut and showed ability finishing runner-up after being slow away. That was a maiden race so by race type alone this is a drop in class. This chestnut filly was meant to run recently but withdrawn. Connections will be keen to get a win on the board and by all accounts, she has strong claims.

Second Page is trained by Richard Hannon and race twice. A 60,000G yearling purchase, that was quite a costly purchase for this grade. This daughter of Harbour Watch done little on debut but went much better next start over course and distance.  A 33-1 shot in third, may suggest that wasn't the strongest of heat. Although, by race type, this is a drop in class. 

Michael Bell must hold Preobrajenska in some regard because this daughter of Paco Boy has been fancied in the betting on both starts to date. She ran well on debut at Yarmouth over 6f a race. The form of that race has been franked by winners. This bay filly was caught close home when headed in the closing stages at Chester. That was a fair race if nothing beyond the norm.

Conclusion: Omran has a winner's profile. Marco Botti has taken his time to place this filly and she should be primed to go well. The price may not offer much value but the horse to beat. Many punters will be looking at the favourites to hit the frame. The Second Page could figure but she was a big price that day which may indicate some limitation. However, this is a drop in grade which gives some confidence. Preobrajenska should hit the frame. She has been fancied in the betting both starts which aren't usual. If available at each-way odds could be a fair bet. I would be tempted to back the favourite and Preobrajenska rather than go for the second or third favourite alone.