AS you can imagine it’s been a very strange week for all of us and I don’t think the news about Her Majesty The Queen has really sunk in. Everyone knows how much she loved horse racing and what she put into it, not just from racing her horses but breeding too. She was a fantastic and extremely knowledgeable horsewomen who knew her horses inside out and we spent some tremendous days with her both on and off the racecourse.

She once remarked how she loved visiting us because it was the only yard in the country where she couldn’t smell fresh paint! We were all very relaxed with her and she was the same with us which I think she liked, there were no airs or graces.

Obviously we had some great times with her horses and we all got so much pleasure when Free Agent, who she also bred, won the Chesham at Royal Ascot a few years ago.

The whole world is in mourning and there is absolutely no doubt that horse racing will never, ever be the same without her. We were so lucky that she was involved and gave so much to our sport  – we owe her everything and life will now be very different for all us.

NEWBURY

1:10 Novice Stakes

Uncle (Pat Dobbs)

He was due to run at Doncaster last week but for obvious reasons that was abandoned so he comes here instead and he’s a colt we think a lot of. This looks a decent little Novice, and he’ll definitely come on for the run, but all his work has been good and he should make his presence felt. 

1:40 G3 Legacy Cup

Fancy Man (Pat Dobbs)

I don’t think he stayed the trip in the Ebor, and the going was plenty quick enough for him as well, so the juice in the ground here will be more suitable as will the drop back to 1m3f. Godolphin look to have this race covered but Fancy Man still retains plenty of ability and is good enough to finish in the money. 

2:50 G2 Mill Reef Stakes

Shouldvebeenaring (Pat Dobbs)

He is a superstar and followed up his big race win at York with a gutsy performance in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Ripon last month and he’s come out of both races in great form. He deserves the step into Group Two Company and I can’t see any reason why he won’t put up another massive show. He gets the trip well, will relish the good ground and goes there with a very obvious chance.

Wallop (Richard Kingscote)

He’s a very nice colt by Harry Angel who made an extremely promising start at Newmarket, where he would’ve learnt a lot, and he’s come on plenty at home as well. It is a slight shot in the dark stepping a Maiden up to this class on just his second run, but he has a bright future and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could go very well. 

4:00 Novice Stakes

Palaman (Pat Dobbs)

He ran very green on debut but that experience has brought him on plenty and I’ve been very happy with his work this week. It’s another wide open race but we think/hope he has a bright future and he has a realistic chance. 

4:35 Handicap

Sir Rumi (Pat Dobbs)

He’s very consistent but as a consequence the handicapper has him in his grip which is why he doesn’t manage to get his head in front as often as he should. He’s in great form at home but it will be a good performance if he can win this off (joint) top weight.

AYR

3:05 G3 Firth Of Clyde

Minnetonka (Rossa Ryan)

I don’t know if she would have won but she was undoubtedly very unlucky in the Unibet Sirenia Stakes last time which showed she is a filly with plenty of ability and six furlongs suits her well. I thought Bonny Angel looked very good at Doncaster last week and she appears the one to beat, but I wouldn’t put you off having a few quid each way on our filly at what will probably be quite nice odds. 

NEWMARKET

1:31 Fillies’ Novice

Beautiful Star (Dane O’Neill)

She’s shaped with promise on both her starts and will have absolutely no problem winning races. The step up to a mile will help and she should run well, but we’ll have a much better idea where we stand with regards to her future, once she’s got a mark. 

2:41 Handicap

Mount Kosciuzko (Jamie Spencer)

He’s been a revelation since being fitted with blinkers and he showed a good attitude to win at Epsom last week, for which he got raised 4lbs. This is another step up in grade but he’s in great form and if he can continue improving he’d have to be taken very seriously.