Horses to follow update

With Royal Ascot coming up next week, I thought I’d put down a few thoughts on some of the major races, and that'll come later today. I’m having a particularly detailed look at the juvenile races. First, though, an update on the rather depressing performances of my horses to follow, and a couple of new juveniles to add to the list:

Midsummer Fair didn’t run well in his latest start, upped in class. He may well have been bang on for his debut in the Wood Ditton, as there was no evidence of the expected improvement (although he did seem to stay 10f). He’s removed from the list.

Bourne ran very badly at Epsom on Derby day, finishing back in the pack and never contending. I’m prepared to allow him one bad race, as the heat, ground and course were all unusual and any one could be an excuse. He remains on a decent mark and I could still see him winning the Ebor in August.

Laashak ran very badly too, and I’m less forgiving. His 6^th of 9 in a maiden at Newcastle was a step backwards and he is taken off the list.

Red Aggressor ran into another good one in finishing second at Windsor to debutante Rebellious Guest (who is 16s for the Coventry, suggesting that he’s held in some regard). He stayed 6f well, and is sure to win soon enough. He stays on the list.

Ocean Rosie was campaigned over too far (1m3f) at Kempton on Tuesday, and was not bet on – however, connections clearly don’t think she has the speed to win over a mile, and I’m not prepared to ignore that opinion. She’s taken off the list.

Perpetually finished dead last in a Sandown handicap on Friday and is taken off the list without hesitation. Pretty, but not sufficiently talented, must be the final assessment.

There are also two horses to add to the list, both of whom ran on Friday at Sandown:

John Lightbody will have entered a lot of notebooks given the eye-catching style of debut win, over 7f. This Teofilo son, half-brother to some smart 10-12f types, will get a good education with Mark Johnstone and is one to keep on the right side of. He has a Derby entry.

El Diamante didn't win on debut, but finished a fair fourth, flashing some speed late on. Hannon's horses are coming on for a run, and this Royal Applause daughter must be expected to improve significantly next time out. From the TV shots, she doesn't look quite the finished article and she might make up into a decent 3yo.