THE horses are absolutely flying and after an excellent Qatar Goodwood Festival where we had three winners, the team enjoyed a five timer at Newbury on Tuesday so I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going. Obviously it’s not all plain sailing and I don’t mind admitting I was gutted when Threat got beaten in the Richmond Stakes last week. Everyone knows how much we all think of him, and let’s not forget he’s won and finished second in two Group Twos in just three starts which is not to be sniffed at! I’ll have a chat with Chris Richardson from Cheveley Park and make a plan about where we go next and we may, or may not, even take the winner on again in the Prix Morny, but we still have plenty of options and I still maintain he is our Guineas horse for next year as I think he will make an even better three-year-old. It was great to see Billesdon Brook win her second race of the season in the Oak Tree Stakes and it’s clear she absolutely loves Goodwood and a fast pace to run at. Sean gave her a great ride and we’ll look at our options but I’d like to pay tribute to all her owners, the Pall Mall partners, for keeping her in training as their decision has certainly paid off. Beat Le Bon looked very good in the Unibet Golden Mile and is clearly a horse going places. He loves Goodwood and is absolutely thriving so we might go back there and have a shot at the G2 Celebration Mile later this month. Floating Artist ran a very good race in the Gordon Stakes and I suppose we’ll have to have a tentative look at the St Leger, as you only get one chance at that race so if the horse is fit and well, we might as well take it up.
Runners at four meetings on Saturday and my thoughts on their chances are below.
ASCOT
2:50 Shergar Cup Mile
War Glory (Filip Minarik)
I think he would have finished a little bit closer in the Unibet Golden Mile last time but he got shuffled back and then found a bit of trouble. There’s no room for manoeuvre off his current mark and I couldn’t be massively confident but he tries hard and is a proper tough nut so I hope he can go well.
4:00 Shergar Cup Sprint
Magical Wish (C Y Ho)
On the whole he’s a pretty consistent colt and it’s a shame he hasn’t managed to get his head back in front since April as he’s put up some very good efforts in defeat. He’s another of mine that might be a bit high in the weights but he has a good attitude and I’d say he has a very realistic each way shout back down to six furlongs.
NEWMARKET
2:00 Maiden Fillies’
Thanielle (Sean Levey)
She’s a very decent filly who cost a few quid as a yearling but is very well bred and has done everything we’ve asked at home. This is a typically hot Newmarket Maiden and anything could be in it but we like ours and expect her to run very well.
3:45 G3 Sweet Solera Stakes
Dark Lady (Pat Dobbs)
She ran a nice race at Ascot last time without ever really looking the likely winner but Ryan got off and said to step her up to 7f so that’s what we’re doing and this looks ideal for her. This race often throws up a decent filly and they look a smart bunch here but Dark Lady has enough experience and ability to run a huge race and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see here improve over this new trip.
4:20 Handicap
Qaysar (James Doyle)
I’m sure the handicapper is going to have his say as he won nicely at Newbury on Tuesday but he’s come out of that race in fine form so we’re getting him out again in a race that looks perfectly within his grasp. James was on board last time so I see no reason to change it and I hope he can win again.
HAYDOCK
1:55 Handicap
Kuwait Currency (Rossa Ryan)
He paid the price for doing all the donkey work at Ascot last time and a furlong out I half thought he was going to hold on but he at least showed enthusiasm for the game and the Handicapper has dropped him a few pounds as well. This looks a competitive race but he’s slowly but surely starting to come back to some sort of form and I wouldn’t be that surprised to see him pop up again before long.
2:30 Listed Dick Hern Stakes
Red Starlight (Rossa Ryan)
She ran well in the Royal Hunt Cup and got absolutely mullered at Newbury last time when looking to come through with a decent challenge. I’ve always like this filly as she has a very likeable attitude and deserves to get her head back in front. There are a few unexposed fillies in the race but our horse has valuable experience which counts for plenty on this track.
LINGFIELD
6:15 Novice Stakes
Always Fearless (Pat Dobbs)
He did too much on heavy ground at Leicester last time but a reproduction of his effort at Haydock the time before would give him every chance here. This doesn’t look a strong race and I expect this colt to win.
7:15 Handicap
New Jack Swing (Tom Marquand)
He’s ran ok in three starts and certainly has the ability to win off 58. I thought his effort at Ffos Las was acceptable and he’s been in good form at home.
Claudia Jean (Pat Dobbs)
She has her first start in a Handicap and has the plum draw in one. This isn’t a good race and they all look a pretty modest bunch so something’s got to win it; hopefully it will be one of ours!
