AINTREE – SATURDAY
12.00pm
Casabalanca Minx
We also had the option of the Grand Sefton for Casablanca Minx, but this race looks made for her, for all she carries a 4lb penalty. She is the form horse on her impressive Summer Plate win for me at Market Rasen in July and she is a horse we have kept fresh. She is a very straightforward mare, has won around here and will like the conditions. She has an obvious and considerable chance, though it’s a good race and the less rain for her the better from hereon in.
2.40pm
Might Bite
He would also like as little as rain as possible, not least the fact that markedly softening conditions would play more in to the hands of Native River. But he clearly handles soft ground fine, and hopefully he can get back on track after last season. We don’t really know why things just didn’t happen for him last season but we know the engine and talent is there if we can get him back, and I was very happy with him when he schooled and worked at Newbury recently. It’s very much a case of wait-and-see with him, but he doesn’t carry a penalty and this has been the plan for a while. Hopefully first-time cheek pieces will help, too.
HUNTINGDON – SUNDAY
1.00pm
Battys Dilemma
I don’t know much about him to be honest. He won his only point and then better was obviously expected of him when he was pulled up in a novice hurdle back in March. We will all probably be playing second fiddle to Slate House here.
2.30pm
Known
This is the first time I have ridden him but he looks to have run well over 2m3f here last time and he looks to have a leading chance on that run, with hopefully more to come.
3.00pm
Vegas Blue
This looks a hit little race but she looked very green when winning well at Bangor on her debut – again, I wasn’t on board – and hopefully there is a lot more to come from her.
