SATURDAY – NEWBURY

3:35 G2 Unibet Hungerford Stakes

Threat (Pat Dobbs)

I don’t think he ran too badly in the July Cup last time where he was close to the pace before getting short of room at a crucial stage and I’m not saying he would’ve won but may of finished a little bit closer. We aren’t ruling out sprint trips again but 7 furlongs could end up being his optimum and on what he shows at home I have no doubt the raw ability and talent is still there, so with that in mind I’m pretty hopeful he can run a much better race here. Pat has ridden him in plenty of work so knows the horse well. It’s D Day for him, really.

 

4:10 Unibet Fillies’ Novice Stakes

Zwelela (Pat Dobbs)

She’s a very sweet filly who is an Al Shaqab homebred by Toronado, who we trained, and this horse has done everything right at home. Newbury is a nice track for debutants and we tend to send our most promising juveniles there so I’m quite optimistic she can run well.

 

4:45 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap

Mafia Power (Silvestre De Sousa)

I don’t think he really handled the track at Goodwood last time as he is much better than what he showed there and we’ve given him a few easy days since then to freshen him up. The return to  1m2f isn’t a problem and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him bounce back.

Tahitian Prince (Pat Dobbs)

I think he probably needed the run more than I thought at Chepstow last time and a mile is possibly on the sharp side for him so the step up to this distance should help and he’s an interesting contender on his handicap debut. 

 

NEWMARKET

1:00 Novice Stakes

Babajan (Rossa Ryan)

He stayed on quite well over six at Newbury last time so the extra couple of furlongs here are certainly in his favour and he’s getting better with each run. He’s a good moving horse so will like the ground and I’d say he has a solid chance.

 

1:30 Novice Auction

Keep Right On (Sean Levey)

He’s a nice colt by Acclamation who shows enough at home to suggest he’s more than capable of making his presence felt but I do expect him to improve for the experience.

 

3:15 Grey Horse Handicap

Endowed (Rossa Ryan)

He’s had a small wind op since his last run but it’s nothing major and he only missed a few days work so shouldn’t be wanting fitness wise and the Handicapper’s dropped him a couple of pounds as well. His form is right up there so I’d be quite optimistic of him running well.

 

3:50 Fillies’ Nursery

Teodolina (Sean Levey)

She wasn’t beaten far at Goodwood the last day and a reproduction of that effort would see her go extremely close in this, her Handicap debut.

 

4:25 Fillies’ Handicap

Grande Rumore (Rossa Ryan)

She’s a tough consistent filly who got the job done nicely at Leicester a couple of weeks ago. The return to a mile isn’t a problem and I think that win under her belt would’ve done her confidence a lot of good as well. She’s in good form at home so has a great chance.

 

DONCASTER

1:40 Novice

Pepinillo (Dane O’Neill)

She hardly set the world alight at Newmarket last week, so has to step up considerably, but that will have brought her along and the step up to a mile could suit.

 

2:15 Fillies’ Maiden

Varenna Storm (Dane O’Neill)

She’s from the family of Ventura Storm, who stayed all day, so this filly will definitely want a trip but this is a good starting point and she’s ready for a run but I do think she’ll need it.

 

3:25 Handicap

Entertaining (Luke Catton)

He’s racing off a career low handicap mark and with Luke’s 7lbs claim he is, in theory, extremely well treated and to be honest I don’t think he ran too badly last time. He’s still a Maiden so this is very much a case of last chance saloon because there aren’t really any excuses. Unibet is paying AN EXTRA PLACE on this race (T&Cs apply)

 

4:00 Handicap

Oh This Is Us (David Allen)

This is his easiest task for quite some time and he is well clear on the ratings. He likes the track, has been in great form at home and I think he has a respectable chance of getting his head back in front.

Magical Wish (PJ McDonald)

He ran a fantastic race at Goodwood last time which was a welcome return to form and he seems in good spirits at home. The handicapper isn’t taking any chances and has him right where he wants him but the ground will suit and he’ll like the track so has a very realistic chance.

 

CHEPSTOW

3:45 Novice

Tilaawah (Sam Hitchcott)

He ran a very nice race on debut at the same course where he showed a lot of early pace so the step down to the minimum trip won’t be a problem and he’s improved a fair bit at home since then so I’d be quite confident of a very bold show with that run under his belt.

 

4:20 Handicap

Host (Thore Hammer-Hansen)

He ran okay last time in first time blinkers but I’m not entirely convinced with his attitude so we’re going down to 5 furlongs and going to ride him confidently in the hope he can finally get his head in front, because he does have ability!

 

5:30 Handicap

Good Job Power (Thore Hammer-Hansen)

He’s a smart horse who had a couple of little niggles which have kept him off the track so far this season but he’s been in good form at home and while I expect him to improve for the outing he could still run a big race with Thore’s valuable 3lbs claim.

What An Angel (Sam Hitchcott)

He should’ve finished a lot closer at Sandown last time but got into more traffic problems than on the M25 And he’ll be much happier against his own age group too. I’m surprised he’s still a maiden because the raw ability is there and he shouldn’t disgrace himself.

 

7:00 Fillies’ Handicap

Willa (John Fahy)

She didn’t see the trip out last time so will be better suited back at a mile and she’s got plenty of experience so I wouldn’t write her off.