ASCOT
1:50 Listed Denford Stakes
Sun Power (Silvestre De Sousa)
He’s a very smart colt who we’ve always liked and will love the ground. I thought he put up a very good effort in defeat at Ascot last time when he probably did a little too much so we’ll try and get him settled and make sure he finishes his race this time. He’s in lots of decent races and it would be nice to think the entry fees are justified.
Sesame Birah (Tom Marquand)
She’s a really likeable filly who handles soft and has won at the track so there is definitely plenty in her favour. This is obviously a step up in grade but she’s worth her place in the lineup, the owners were keen to come and she receives a nice allowance from the colts’, so hopefully, she can put up a good performance.
4:45 Handicap
Ritchie Valens (Andrea Atzeni)
He’s gone up 4lbs for winning over course and distance a couple of weeks ago but he’s been in very good form since and is consistent. He probably wouldn’t want the ground too soft, anything more than good to soft and I’d be a little concerned, but I’m happy with him and he goes there with a great chance.
NEWMARKET
2:10 Novice Stakes
More Than A Prince (Pat Dobbs)
He’s a lovely homebred of Lady Bamford’s who is ready to go and this looks a good place to start. I expect him to improve plenty for it but on what he’s shown at home he should be more than capable of running a big race.
2:45 Unibet Grey Horse Handicap
Chatham House (Sean Levey)
After Beat Le Bon won the Unibet Golden Mile it would be nice to win another Unibet-sponsored race and I think this horse has a great shout. The Handicapper has put him up to a career-high of 85 but he won with plenty in hand at Newbury the last day so hopefully, there’s still some room for manoeuvre. The step back to 6f shouldn’t be a problem as we’ll make plenty of use of him and, in his current form, I expect him to go very close.
Aim Power (Pat Dobbs)
I don’t think she’s been finishing her races so the step back down to 6f, where she’s ran all her best races, will really suit and a fast pace will help too. On her last few runs, I couldn’t recommend her, but this trip is in her favour and there’s still a race or two in her.
DONCASTER
1:10 Handicap
In The Cove (Rossa Ryan)
His owners are having a great time of things at the moment so I hope their lucky streak continues with this colt. I’m not sure what happened at Chelmsford last time when he ran no sort of race at all but he seems absolutely fine and has worked well since so I’m just going to draw a line though it and move on. He races off a decent mark (one pound higher than winning mark) and he’ll be much happier back over seven furlongs.
1:40 Maiden Fillies’
Loco Dempsey (Rossa Ryan)
She got bumped leaving the stalls at Windsor which basically put her out of the race so I’m inclined to ignore that and start again here. Her work is good and she’s a capable filly but Charlie Appleby’s looks the one to catch, so if we can finish in the money I’ll be happy.
2:50 Handicap
Motafaawit (Jim Crowley)
He was a little bit disappointing in the Britannia and then got beaten in a tactical race at Newmarket in July, both over a mile, so we’re going back to seven furlongs as he’s a strong traveller and I hope he’ll show what we all know he’s capable of. The ground will be perfect and I certainly wouldn’t write him off against the elders.
Rum Runner (Rossa Ryan)
After a spell in the doldrums, he finally got his head back in front at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago and that will have done his confidence a lot of good. The Handicapper has put him straight back up (to 88) which isn’t ideal but we just have to put up with it and we’ve done very little with him at home since his run. This looks a difficult race but hopefully, he can be competitive.
BATH
6:50 Handicap
Regimented (Rossa Ryan)
He’s been unlucky not to have won since his two-year-old days as he’s put up some decent efforts in defeat so deserves to get his head back in front. I think he’s very much in the Handicapper’s grip but if he can reproduce that effort when third behind Ouzo two runs ago, he’d have every chance.
7:20 Handicap
Bader (Rossa Ryan)
His form is there for all to see so there’s nothing inspiring I can add except that he’s in great form at home, worked well the other day and if the ground dries out it will really help his chances.
We’ll have a few runners up at York next week for the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival and while plans currently remain fluid we may run the likes of Threat, Mum’s Tipple, Separate, Hard Nut, Embour, Malvern and all being well Raymond Tusk is pretty much certain to take his chance in the Ebor next Saturday.
