SATURDAY

NEWMARKET

 

3:35 G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas

Urban Icon (Tom Marquand)

We’ve always liked him and he’s really strengthened up over the winter. I thought he ran a great race in the Greenham when he would have needed it badly and while this is a Classic, and a very good race, I think he’ll run much better than his odds suggest. The (current) Good to Firm ground will really suit and I wouldn’t put you off having a wager each way. He’s a very talented animal.

King Of Change (Sean Levey)

He’s a smart colt by Farhh who was quite slow to come to hand last season hence he didn’t run until the back end but he’s improved over the winter and won nicely at Nottingham three weeks ago. This is obviously a big step up, and he’ll need to improve but he’s going the right way and I think he’ll get further in time. His work has been good and hopefully he’ll put up a decent show and we’ll have a better idea of where we are with him afterwards.

 Unibet are paying AN EXTRA PLACE on each-way bets on the 2000 Guineas

 

4:10 Handicap

Moyassar (Jim Crowley)

He will definitely be sharper for his first run at the Craven meeting when he was a little sluggish coming out of the stallas and never really got into the race. We operated on his wind over the winter and I think it’s helped him. This is a very tough handicap but he has plenty of good form in the book and this is a good opportunity for him. He won’t be far away.

Beat Le Bon (Ryan Moore)

He has been quite frustrating as we thought he was a superstar as a two-year-old but he never really scaled the heights we hoped but that’s not to say he hasn’t got the ability and I think the drop back to six will suit. A fast pace will be in his favour and his work has been very good. I expect him to put up a bold show under Ryan Moore.

He’Zanarab (Tom Marquand)

We’re putting the hood on as he’s very keen in his races so hopefully Tom will be able to switch him off and get him to relax. I think this will end up being his best trip and I’d say he has a pretty good chance of running well.

 

4:45 Newmarket Stakes

Walkinthesand (Ryan Moore)

I love this horse and he ran a stormer on the Fielden Stakes behind Kick On, so if he wins the Guineas, Walkinthesand should be an absolute certainty! He’s got a lovely attitude and he’ll definitely strip fitter for that first run and I think he’ll take an awful lot of beating.

 

5:20

Leroy Leroy (Ryan Moore)

He was a smart juvenile and ran a good race on his first run back at Kempton last month. He’s got a lot of pace but stays this trip well and I expect him to run a big race but he does need to produce a career best to win off his mark of 94.

Mordred (Sean Levey)

He’s a decent Handicapper who ran well when second over course and distance in September. I’ve been very happy with his work and he’ll love the ground so I think he has a great chance of finishing in the money.

Brian Epstein (Martin Dwyer)

That run over course and distance will have done him the world of good as he needed it badly so expect him to be much sharper here. I’ve already put him up as a Handicapper to follow when the guys from Unibet came to the yard the other day so I’d like to think he won’t let me down! He’s still unexposed and I think he’ll go very close.

We asked the @rhannonracing staff for the inside scoop……a horse to follow from them!

Then….we asked Richard as well! He gave us a handicapper to follow!

️ Watch the full tour https://t.co/yzrqkk3BF5 pic.twitter.com/R3NbLfuMIQ

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) April 23, 2019

GOODWOOD

 

3:45 Conqueror Stakes

Anna Nerium (Dane O’Neill)

I was pleased with her run at Kempton and she likes it around here having won a G3 last August. Any rain will really be in her favour and I expect her to have improved a lot for her seasonal debut. This is her grade, she’s top rated and I’ll be surprised if she’s not up to going extremely close.

 

DONCASTER

 

5:15 Handicap

Embour (Rossa Ryan)

I really like his attitude and I thought he showed great tenacity to win at Kempton last time. He’s won on the All Weather but is equally effective on turf and I’ve been very happy with his work at home. I’m not sure how much room for manoeuvre there is off his mark (89) but he’s in good form and will run another big race.

 

5:50 Novice Stakes

Kemble (Rossa Ryan)

She’s a lovely Kelvin-Hughes homebred who shaped with promise on debut at Newmarket but did look a little awkward and flashed her tail so it will be interesting to see her attitude second time out. She will have learnt a lot from that first run and this doesn’t look the best of races so with that experience under her belt, I think she has a big chance.

 

6:20 Handicap

Production (Rossa Ryan)

He’s been gelded over the winter and we’re going up to a mile, both of which I hope will see him in a better light as he ended the season on a bit of a low. That said, I don’t think he liked the soft ground at Newbury so he should be more comfortable on this better surface. His work has been fine and he has every chance, although he might need the run.

 

Billesdon Brook is back in action on Sunday so check back here for my thoughts on her and the tests of our runners on the day.

Richard.