SATURDAY – YORK
2:25 Melrose Handicap
Mambo Nights (Andrea Atzeni)
He is improving all the time and I loved his attitude at Goodwood last month. The step up to a mile and six won’t be a problem as he is a very relaxed horse and a 6lbs rise may not be enough to stop him. He’s been in great form at home and I expect a very big show.
3:00 G2 City Of York Stakes
Threat (Ryan Moore)
We took him out of the Unibet Hungerford Stakes last week because of the ground so we wouldn’t want too much rain but the same comments apply as last week in the fact that 7 furlongs could end up being his optimum and I think he ran better than his finishing position suggests in the July Cup. He’s won around York before so likes the track and I think he has a great chance.
Beat Le Bon (Jim Crowley)
He ran an excellent race to come from off the pace to finish second in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last time (over a mile) but I think 7 furlongs is his trip and this long straight will suit his running style. I’ve been very happy with him at home and he is certainly no back number.
SANDOWN
12:55 Nursery
Host (Sean Levey)
I think we bumped into one at Chepstow who also had the run of the race but our lad beat the rest of them home and I was pleased with the run. You never really know what you're up against in these sorts of races but he ran a cracker last time and a repeat of that would have to put him bang there. He has plenty of ability.
2:05 Handicap
Wild Thunder (Sean Levey)
He didn’t seem to improve for the application of blinkers last time and his two runs this term have been quite disappointing but the handicapper has dropped him a few pounds and if he’s able to take advantage he could go nicely.
3:15 Handicap
Oh Purple Reign (Sean Levey)
He hasn’t won for a while but ran a nice race on the July course last time and he’s tumbling down the weights. He is versatile ground wise so I’m hopeful he can finish in the money if getting some luck.
3:55 Fillies’ Handicap
Fromnowon (Sean Levey)
She’s not guaranteed to get the trip but is a relaxed filly and is pretty consistent. The track was riding slow at Lingfield last time so she’ll be happier on this quicker surface and if she can bounce back from that below par effort she’d have a big shout.
4:30 Fillies’ Maiden
Joy Choi (Sam Hitchcott)
She will improve on her first run but this looks a particularly good maiden and I couldn’t be overly confident in a race like this. I think she will fair better in nurseries.
Al Fahdaa (Sean Levey)
She’s a very sweet filly by Toronado whose work has been very pleasing and this looks a nice race for her. I expect her to come on for it but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see her bang there.
CHELMSFORD
4:20 Nursery
Cirrus (Rossa Ryan)
She ran a great race in the Super Sprint and I think the step back up to 6 furlongs will really help and she goes here with a serious chance.
4:50 Novice
Dewey Road (Rossa Ryan)
He can be quite keen at home and he ran slightly with the choke out on debut at Thirsk but he’s come on a lot since that first run and he’d probably be one of our better chances of the day.
Eloquent Arthur (Pat Dobbs)
He’s a speedy little colt who has been working very well at home and this looks a suitable starting point. I expect him to improve but he’s got enough ability to go close here it’s good enough.
5:25 Handicap
Breakfast Club (Pat Dobbs)
This is his first run in a handicap and I think his mark of 72 looks quite workable. It’s a competitive little race but he’s in good form at home and goes there with a solid chance
5:55 Novice
Shady Cove (Rossa Ryan)
He ran very green on debut but that run has hopefully brought him on a bit and this looks a slightly easier race than Newbury. He is certainly no world beater but should be capable of picking up a race somewhere along the line.
8:25 Handicap
Little Downs (Thore Hammer-Hansen)
She was unlucky not to win at Salisbury last time but is improving with every run and we’ve done very little with her at home since so she arrives here a nice fresh horse and I think she’s got a massive chance.
