HAYDOCK
5:20 Handicap
Pesto (Jim Crowley)
He got better with each run last season and ended his two year old campaign with an easy win at Leicester. I think he’s matured plenty through the winter and come back a much stronger horse so I’m quite hopeful we can have a productive year with him. He’s into Handicap Company for the first time and who knows whether his mark off 87 is fair but I’ve been happy with his work, and, while he will improve for the run, I’d expect him to put up a good show.
BEVERLEY
1:25 Handicap
Qaysar (Pat Dobbs)
Despite finishing 11th he wasn’t beaten all that far in the Victoria Cup at Ascot last time and the Handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds which will help as he was struggling off the mid/high nineties. It’s quite a competitive little race but it’s a small field and he’s been in very good form so goes there with a live chance.
3:15 Two Year Old Conditions
Oh Purple Reign (Pat Dobbs)
He didn’t quite handle the camber at Epsom but still ran a great race to finish second in the Woodcote. We’re backing him up just seven days later but he’s done absolutely nothing at home all week and he’s a very pacey, athletic horse, so the drop down to five furlongs won’t be a problem. The horse he beat on debut at Nottingham came out and won a decent Novice at Haydock yesterday (beating a smart horse of ours called Partridge) so the form has a good look to it and I fancy him to run a huge race.
Pinatubo breaks slowly and is trapped wide round Tattenham Corner but reels in Misty Grey to win the Woodcote Stakes at @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/fWfmiTBT50
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) 31 May 2019
5:30 Handicap
Ventura Glory (Pat Dobbs)
She was disappointing when sent off favourite at Nottingham last time so needs to step up her form a bit but we’re putting the cheek pieces on which will help and a reproduction of her (penultimate) effort at Newmarket would see her in with a decent each way squeak back down in trip.
CHELMSFORD
3:05 Handicap
Dragon Sun (Sean Levey)
We gelded him over the winter and it seems to have done the trick as he has won twice this season and probably struggled a little when upped in grade last time, but this level is about right and he’s already won on the All Weather. It’s a decent little race with lots of in form horses but I’m happy with our horse and he would have an obvious chance.
3:40 (Handicap)
War Glory (Sean Levey)
I think he’s more at home on the All Weather and his form so far this season has been very consistent so he’d have to have a solid chance in this. He is a tough little horse who always tries his best and once he’s fit it’s just a case of keeping him ticking over. The form is there for you all to see so there’s nothing I can add that you don’t already know but I see no reason why he won’t run another big race.
LINGFIELD
6:15 Handicap
Bader (Sean Levey)
He’s bumped into a couple of decent horses in his short career so far but there’s definitely a race or two in him and I think the step up to 1m4f will help. On form, you couldn’t back him with confidence but this is a very poor race and there’s not much between any of them.
6:45 Handicap
Shamkha (Fergus Sweeney)
She’s drawn right out in the car park and has to step up considerably on what we’ve seen so far. She is coming down the handicap, though and Fergus knows her well.
Purbeck Hills (Sean Levey)
I’m not entirely sure what his best trip is so we’re going back over 10f and he’s not got a bad draw in three. Robin Geffen owned Canford Cliffs but sadly this horse isn’t anywhere near that league!
7:15 Maiden
Ocasio Cortez (Sean Levey)
She’s proving very frustrating as we quite fancied her first time out at Doncaster this season but she met a bit of trouble and then bumped into Pinatubo at Wolverhampton before running a decent race at Windsor last time. This doesn’t look a great race therefore I think she should be up to winning it.
8:15 Handicap
Buridan (Tom Marquand)
He’s got a lot of ability and ran a great race at Windsor last time. Despite going up another 2lbs and having to carry top weight, he’s been placed off 92 so is entitled to go very close. We’ve kept him fresh at home since his last run and I fancy him to run a big race.
Tomily (Luke Catton)
He hasn’t won for a while but loves the All Weather and has come down to a very attractable handicap mark and Luke’s 7lbs claim is an even bigger help. To be honest I think he has solid each way claims.
I’ve got all the guys from Unibet visiting the yard on Monday to get all the latest on our Royal Ascot runners so be sure to follow us all on twitter to keep up to date with all the action from the yard.
