Chelmsford
1.35pm
Cipango
I rode him when he finished fifth on his debut over 7f at Doncaster in June, and he certainly shaped as if this extra furlong would suit him there. He will need to improve to be winning this, but he could well do, especially with just the six runners.
2.10pm
Alma Linda
This filly is related to some very good horses, and we expected her to go well on her handicap debut off a lowly mark, in first-time cheekpieces, over course and distance last time. And she duly won very well for me there. She has gone up 6lb and this is a tougher race, but I’d be disappointed if there isn’t more to come from her. She can race off 73 in this 0-70 as she was only re-assessed on Tuesday for her recent win, after the entry stage.
2.45pm
Desert Doctor
His best efforts have come on the all-weather, but he ran well at Ripon just two starts back. But he is at his best in the sphere, and that includes a win here for me over course and distance back in January. He is 5lb higher here but he has won at Wolverhampton since and also run well in defeat at Kempton. He has fair claims on those efforts.
3.20pm
Buckman Tavern
I’m not sure what this horse has to do to get a race in the stewards’ room, but you could very easily argue that he should have been promoted to first on both his last two starts at Sandown. Very easily. We got a fair old bump when only beaten a short-head last time, so I definitely thought he would get it. He has gone up 4lb too, but I would hope he finally gets a bit of luck and can be competitive here. This is another race that has cut up nicely, and hopefully the first-time cheekpieces will help, too.
3.55pm
California Love
She did it really well from the front at Newmarket last time. She has paid for that narrow win with a 7lb rise in the weights, but she beat a fair filly there and it was four lengths back to the third, as well. So hopefully she can make her presence felt again.
Newmarket
5.30pm
Matchmaking
He has missed two intended comebacks at Haydock and here recently on account of the ground, but hopefully we can get him out and finally get his season started if the going stays decent. He will need to step up on his efforts last season if he is to be winning this, but hopefully his first attempt at 2m will provide that improvement. And, obviously our horses continue in great nick.
