Newbury
2.25pm
Al Kout
He looks at his best with some give in the ground so let’s hope the forecast rain for Friday and Saturday is correct for him. He doesn’t have that many miles on the clock for a 5yo and ran well off this mark when second over 2m at Kempton last time, so I think he has each-way claims at a price from the bottom of the weights.
3.40pm
Electric Ladyland
She ran a great race for me when seventh in the Windsor Castle last time. I know she went off at 66-1 there, but her form entitled her to greater respect than that, and she ran a blinder. Of course, she needs to step up on that form if the likes of Ventura Rebel fire, but she is a very fast filly and hopefully the first-time cheekpieces will help her, too.
Haydock
6.00pm
Stormbomber
He didn’t run too well at Newbury last time, and hopefully the soft ground wasn’t a factor there, as there looks to be a fair bit of rain due. But he is at least down to a mark of just 64, and he is bred to be better than that. Hopefully, the step up in trip will suit, and Ed does have his horses in flying form.
6.30pm
Tell Me All
He is obviously bred to be very smart, being out of our French Oaks winner Continental Lady and a half-brother to the stable’s smart Red Box among others. He goes nicely, too, and has been pleasing us in his work, and our horses are back on track.
7.00pm
Statuario
He hails from another stable in good form, too, and he was dropped 1lb for his recent Epsom fourth, which allows him to just get into this 0-75 handicap. Any rain should be fine for him and I can see him going well.
7.30pm
Matchmaking
He was obviously one of our big improvers last season, and hopefully he can carry on the progression this season. He will need to, but let’s see how he gets on as he steps up to 1m6f for the first time.
8.00pm
Louis Treize
He has been off the track since early May, so I’m not sure if he has had a niggle or two. But, as I said above, his stable is in good form and this one has also been dropped 2lb since that run, which makes him eligible for this 0-80. He looks fairly-treated on his Newcastle win last year.
8.30pm
David’s Beauty
She was just touched off at Carlisle last time and a reproduction of that run should put her in the mix again here. She acts well on fast and with ease, so is versatile on that score, with rain forecast.
