SATURDAY – EPSOM

4:30 G1 Cazoo Derby Stakes

Mojo Star (David Egan)

We really thought he’d win at Newbury on his first run back but he just came out worse off in a tight finish and  probably needed it a little more than we thought as well. He’s an out and out stayer so the step up to a mile and a half won’t be an issue and he’s proven both times that he handles soft ground so all of the rain that’s been around won’t be a worry but I’m under no illusion this is a massive ask and if he can finish better than midfield I’ll be absolutely delighted.

 

2:35 G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Posted (Jim Crowley)

She’s a very tough filly who has lots of ability and badly needed her first run at Newmarket which  would’ve blown away the cobwebs because she can be quite buzzy. Track and ground should suit very well and on ratings she is entitled to go very close.

Thank You Next (Ben Curtis)

She’s got some decent form to her name but was well beaten at Newmarket last time so I’m not confident she’s about to turn the corner. On the other hand a sharp mile plus around Epsom could be right up her street and she may run well at a decent price.

 

3:10 G3 Diomed Stakes

Oh This Is Us (Tom Marquand)

He is everyones’ favourite in the yard and owes us absolutely nothing because he rarely runs a bad race and if you go back through his form at Epsom he’s been placed every time, so it would be great if he could finally get a deserved success at this track. Tom gets on extremely well with him and you can never rule him out.

 

5:15 Handicap

Lost Eden (Andrea Atzeni)

In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have run him at ascot last time because the ground was much too soft for him and he was checked out after the race and it was discovered he had an irregular heartbeat so we’re going to draw a line through that and he’s been examined at home and everything seems fine which is the most important thing.

He was very progressive prior to that and I still think he could be a very exciting horse.

 

5:50 Handicap

Lexington Dash (Tom Marquand)

A fast run 6 furlongs on a sharp track like this is just what he wants and the drier the ground the better. He’s got to defy a career high mark but he’s been in consistently good form all season and should run another big race. 

 

DONCASTER

1:55

Millie Lou

She’s a nice little filly who works well enough to suggest she’s not devoid of ability and she’s ready to run but I do think she’ll definitely come on for it.

River Pride

She ran okay at Wolverhampton on her debut when she would’ve badly needed it so I’d expect her to be much sharper this time round. However, this looks a very competitive Maiden so she’ll need to be pretty good to win.

 

2:30

Noonday Gun

The poor lad never runs a bad race but as a model of his consistency he’s very much in the handicappers grip and even got put up another 2lbs for finishing third at York last week. He would probably prefer a little more cut but he is in good form at home and this looks a suitable race for him.

 

3:05

Reverend Hubert

He really got going late on at Salisbury last time so I’m very confident the extra 2 furlongs here will really be in his favour, but a 7lbs rise in the weights won’t make things easy. He’s in good form at home though and has every chance.

 

3:40

Man Of The Night

He ran okay at Newmarket last time but I’m beginning to lose patience slightly with him, so we’ve got the blinkers on first time and hopefully it will wake him up a little bit because he is becoming quite frustrating.

 

4:50

Lafan

He’s ran three very good races so far and steps up in trip for his handicap debut in what looks a pretty good opportunity for him to get off the mark. I fancy him quite strongly.

Power Station

Both his runs this season have been very good and he deserves to get his head in front after a couple of near misses. I think this track will suit and he goes there with solid credentials.

 

CHEPSTOW

7:00

Symphony Perfect

I was delighted with her performance at Nottingham on her first run and she’s come on leaps and bounds for it, so I’d be pretty confident she’ll take plenty of beating in this.

 

8:00

Theotherside

She’s coming back down the weights and has been in decent form at home so with a bit of luck she can run a good race in what looks the right race.