OUR horses continue to run well and we’re having a great run with our two-year-olds, but racing is full of ups and downs and that was none more prevalent than at Doncaster and Lingfield last Saturday when we tragically lost two of our horses. I hate to dwell on these things but the loss of Wedding Date was a serious blow, not just to all of us here at the yard, but every one of her owners with Middleham Park Racing. She was an extremely tough and very talented filly who always tried her heart out and there’s no doubt she would have made a fantastic brood mare. She will be sorely missed and our thoughts and condolences go out to all her connections; as they do to the Radley Racing Club who owned What An Angel and was another to sustain a life ending injury at Lingfield in what was a horrendous incident. He was extremely likeable and a capable horse who was much loved by his owners and staff at the yard. His loss was felt by everyone.

 

Chindit was undoubtedly the Saturday Superstar and the corks were popping after his victory in the Champagne Stakes, in what was probably the best two-year-old race of the season so far, and I was really pleased by the great turn of foot he showed to pull well clear from the pack. He’s a very easy horse to train because he’s so relaxed and takes everything in his stride and we are extremely lucky to have a colt like him in the yard. The Dewhurst looks the next logical step and then we can start to think about training him like a 2000 Guineas horse because I’ve no doubt he could be even better over a mile next year. He’s highly likely to be joined in the Dewhurst by Etonian who was ultra impressive in the Solario Stakes at Sandown for his owner Julie Wood who absolutely adores him and I’m delighted that she’s got another very smart colt on her hands.

Michael Pescod has an embarrassment of riches with the likes of Fancy Man, who looked good at Haydock in the Ascendant Stakes, among a group of top class juveniles to carry his famous black and blue silks. He’s come out of that race in fine shape and we’ll have to look at something like the Royal Lodge next.

Happy Romance has proven a real money spinner and a high class filly too! She’s in great form at home and the Cheveley Park is where we’ll probably go next.

 

NEWBURY

1:05 Novice

Luxy Lou (Pat Dobbs)

She stayed on well over six at Windsor last time so the step back up to seven should suit and any give in the ground would help as well. But this looks a potentially good novice and there’s no doubt she needs to improve a little to beat some of these.

 

2:15 Handicap

Ouzo (Pat Dobbs)

He ran a real nice race at York last time on his first run since being gelded and he would’ve badly needed it so I’d expect plenty of improvement here. We are trying a mile and a quarter for the first time but he’s a relaxed horse in his races so I don’t see that being a problem and I think he has a great chance in this.

 

4:00 Novice

Mr Trick (Pat Dobbs)

We’ve always thought quite a lot of him but for whatever reason he disappointed on debut and I don’t think he was really concentrating on the job in hand so we gelded him and he seems to have sharpened up in his work, so hopefully you’ll see a more accomplished performance here.

Siam Fox (Silvestre De Sousa)

I thought he showed a really good attitude at Ascot on his debut and he’s come on a lot for the experience. We’re backing him up pretty quickly but he’s a hardy little colt who handles his work well and I think he has a good chance in this with expected improvement.

 

4:30 Handicap

Manigordo (Pat Dobbs)

He ran an alright sort of race at Doncaster last week but was ultimately outclassed so the step down in grade is obviously in his favour and he’s down to a decent mark of 90. Going back up to 7 furlongs will also suit and he’s not without a chance in what looks a wide open handicap.

Ziggle Pops (Rossa Ryan)

I’m not sure he is entirely one to trust because he’s quite in and out and in his current form I couldn’t be overly confident of his chance, that said he has enough ability to be in a shake up if he wants to.

 

AYR

1:20 Nursery

Longlai (Sean Levey)

He is improving all the time and I loved his attitude at Salisbury where he really knuckled down to score by a head. This is his first run in a handicap but I think he’s a very smart horse and he goes there in great form so I’m very hopeful of an extremely bold show.

 

3:05 G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes

Concessions (Sean Levey)

She’s a sweet little filly who has some decent form to her name and I’m not worried about the step back down trip. This is a decent race but it would be nice to try and pick up some Black Type with her if we can.

 

3:40 Ayr Gold Cup

Lexington Dash (Sean Levey)

I’m not entirely convinced he’s seeing out his races over seven, certainly on softer ground, so the return to six furlongs will be better and he gets in here with a nice low weight. He’s drawn in stall one which according to the stats is the worst place to be, but he’s in good form and I can see him running a nice race at big odds.

 

NEWMARKET

2:05 Fillies’ Novice

Naflah (Kieran Shoemark)

She needs to improve on her first run but that would have sharpened her up a lot and she’s been in good form at home, although this does look a decent Fillies’ Novice and she’ll have to be pretty good to win.

 

3:15 Handicap

Hot Summer (Dane O’Neill)

He is very much in the Handicapper’s grip but is quite versatile ground wise and I’ve got no concerns with the drop back down to seven. He’s fit and well at home so I’ve done very little with him since his last run and he goes there with a solid chance.

 

5:00 Handicap

Intrepid Italian (Kieran Shoemark)

On the whole he is generally quite consistent and actually ran much better last time than his form figure suggests as he was only beaten about three lengths. Kieran knows him well and I certainly wouldn’t be writing him off.

 

We’ve got a handful of runners at Wolverhampton in the evening and Little Downs would probably be our best chance on the card there in the 6:45.