NEWMARKET – FRIDAY

1:15 Maiden

Beijing Billy (Sean Levey)

I thought his first run at Sandown the other day was particularly eye catching as he got knocked off his stride about 2f out but quickly regained momentum and stayed on to finish his race well. That experience will have done him the world of good and he goes there in great form. It looks a good Maiden but I expect him to improve massively for his debut.

1:50 Listed Rosemary Stakes

Cloak Of Spirits (Andrea Atzeni)

I think she’s asking to be stepped back up to a mile after finishing really well at Doncaster (over seven) last time and if the ground stays good to firm, that would help her chance even more. She’s top rated and this is arguably an easier race than last time so I’m pretty hopeful she can go extremely close as long as she’s not vulnerable to a potential improver in the field – namely John Gosden’s runner!

3:35 G2 Joel Stakes

Urban Icon (Pat Dobbs)

He ran another good race at Doncaster last time and it’s a real shame he hasn’t managed to get his head back in front because he’s posted plenty of very good efforts and deserves to win a big one. I think a mile and 7 furlongs come the same to him so I’m not worried about the step back up in trip and we’ve done very little with him at home to keep him as fresh as possible, so he goes there in grand form.

Richard