Promising start

While it was disappointing that Top 40 entry High Degree couldn't make a winning start to his career at Nottingham on Tuesday, the well bred son of Too Darn Hot shaped encouragingly in second and ought to be hard to beat next time. Lining up in a mile maiden stakes at Colwick Park, Tom Marquand's mount was slowly away and immediately forfeited plenty of ground to the 82 rated market rival Hymnbook. Showing his inexperience during the first half of the contest, William Haggas' runner came off the bridle before staying on well under tender handling - the stable's horses are never hit with the whip on their racecourse bows. Beaten a length and three quarters, it is possible he found the ground quick enough, too. Expect him to be a different proposition next time and hopefully developed into an above average three year old.

As discussed, I was working at Carlisle on Monday and their Flat season got underway with a useful performance by the well touted juvenile Venetian Sun. A colt by the first season sire Starman, who has made a striking impression during the early weeks of the campaign, he cost 240,000gns and trained by Karl Burke who was sending out his eleventh two year old winner of 2025. His trainer explained beforehand that the Tony Bloom owned runner hadn't come off the bridle at home. Partnered by Clifford Lee, he travelled well in behind the leader Call Margot before being pulled out to challenge. Having taken a few strides to engage top gear, he quickened up to put the race to bed before idling in front. Karl commented afterwards that Venetian Sun will improve plenty for the experience and benefit from stepping up to six furlongs. The Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (20th June) is his next target. The owner's racing manager and bookmaker Sean Graham was in attendance and must have been pleased with what he saw.

In other news regarding northern two year olds, the Richard Fahey trained Utmost Respect is expected to contest a five furlongs maiden stakes at Nottingham (1st June) early next month. The son of Invincible Spirit was unlucky not to win on his debut at York next week and connections are still keen to head to Royal Ascot provided he passes his next assignment at Colwick Park.