NEWBURY
1:10 Novice Stakes
Tahitian Prince (Rab Havlin)
He’s a very smart colt by Siyouni who shows me plenty at home and this looks an ideal starting point. John Gosden’s horse looks the one to beat but carrying a 6lbs penalty won’t make things easy, in which case our runner will be there to try and take full advantage.
2:55 G2 Mill Reef Stakes
Mystery Power (Ryan Moore)
I really thought he’d win the Vintage at Goodwood last time and even backed him myself but, in hindsight, the combination of bumping into Pinatubo and the fact he came back with a dirty scope, I’m more than prepared to forgive him that run and we’ve got him right back to where we want him. We’re very lucky that we have lots of very good two year old colts and we toyed with the idea of running Mum’s Tipple in this, but Mystery Power is a top class colt so deserves to take his chance and, despite carrying a 3lb penalty, I really think he’s capable of putting up a massive show and hope he’s good enough to win.
AYR
2:40 Ayr Silver Cup
Magical Wish (Rossa Ryan)
We’ve given him a nice break since Ascot so he’s a fresh horse and the predicted fast pace in this will really suit as he gets further. Obviously you can never be confident in 25 runner Handicaps but he’s in good form, will like the ground and is slowly but surely coming back down the weights, so I’m hopeful he can run a decent race.
3:50 Ayr Gold Cup
Embour (Paddy Mathers)
He ran a great race in the Portland at Doncaster last week where he wasn’t beaten far at all and we have done absolutely nothing with him since. This is a typically competitive race but he sneaks in off a nice low weight and I certainly wouldn’t put you off having a go at taking some of Unibet’s money!
5:30 Handicap
Mordred (Rossa Ryan)
On the whole he’s pretty consistent and is a very capable horse on his day. I thought he stayed on really well at Windsor last time which is why I think the step up to 1m5f will suit. It’s often hard for the three year olds against the older horses but he’s in good form and has been keeping pretty good company all his life, therefore I think he has every chance in this.
CHELSMFORD
1:40 Novice Stakes
Lexington Rebel (Thore Hammer-Hansen)
He often misses the break and that was the case in a G3 at Kempton last time when he was always playing catch up, and while he’s won over 5f (in a weak race), I think he’ll be better over further in time so the step up to 7f will help him settle into a rhythm. Thore’s 5lbs claim helps eradicate his penalty a little bit and I’m confident of a very bold show.
3:25 Handicap
War Glory (Sean Levey)
What more can I say about him that you don’t already know? He’s just a legend in the yard and everyone absolutely adores him! He’s handicapped to the hilt but loves it on the All Weather, particularly around here, and this is probably one of the smallest fields he’s contested in quite a few runs.
NEWMARKET
2:10 Fillies’ Novice
Al Gaiya (Pat Dobbs)
She’s got a big frame to fill so will definitely make a better three year old and I think her debut at Ascot is testament to that. However, that will have brought her on plenty and hopefully she’ll put up a better display this time.
Loco Dempsey (Sam Hitchcott)
She’s run ok on both starts to date but will need to step up considerably on what she’s shown so far and I predict she’ll be seen to much better effect once handicapped.
2:45 Handicap
Chatham House (Pat Dobbs)
He’s a model of consistency and has a great attitude but as a consequence the Handicapper has him just where he wants him and he’s now racing off a career high mark of 89. That said, he’s well treated against some of the older horses and I have no doubt he’ll be bang there.
Elysium Dream (Sam Hitchcott)
She hasn’t won since last August but we’ve given her a nice mid summer break and freshened her up so she arrives here in good shape. Sam (Hitchcott) rides out for us most days and has sat on this filly quite a few times so knows her really well. We’re disposing of the head gear this time and she put in a good piece of work on Tuesday so hopefully she can run a nice race.
