SATURDAY – ASCOT

12:40 Maiden

Shanghai Rock (Harry Bentley)

He showed quite a lot of pace at Newbury last week in what was a very good maiden so we’re going down in trip here which will definitely suit. I think he’s improved plenty for that first run and I expect him to go well.

Mohawk King (Pat Dobbs)

He’s a smart colt who’s done everything right at home and is ready for a run. This looks a typically decent maiden but I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him put up a very bold show. WINNER!!!

 

1:15 Fillies’ Novice

Snow Lantern (Pat Dobbs)

She is slightly more sharper than her half brother, Noonday Gun, who is also out of our Guineas winner Sky Lantern and she’s done everything we’ve asked of her on the gallops. We took her away to Kempton the other day where she worked very well so she’s ready to go and we’ll learn a lot more about her after this.

Luxy Lou (Dane O’Neill)

I’ve been very pleased with her at home as she’s done some nice pieces of work and this looks a good place to get her started. It’s a good novice, and she will definitely come on for the run, but she’s in very good form and has a decent chance.

 

1:50 Listed Pat Eddery Stakes

Chindit (Pat Dobbs)

We really fancied him to win first time up at Doncaster and he duly obliged to score very impressively. This is a step up but he’s a horse we always liked and we’ve got a good record in this race having won it with Toronado in 2012. Chindit is very relaxed in his work at home which makes my job much easier and he goes there with a massive chance

 

4:45 Nursery

Collinsbay (Ryan Moore)

We are into nursery company now and to be honest his mark of 81 looks fair. The ground should suit, he’ll like the track and Ryan Moore knows him well so hopefully he can put up a bold show.    

Lightning War (Pat Dobbs)

He’s still learning about the game but has ability and is in good form at home. He does however need to step up a little bit on form.

 

YORK

5:00 Nursery

Tribute To Jade (Sam Hitchcott)

To be honest I’m surprised she’s still a Maiden because her home work is pretty good, but maybe she didn’t stay 7 furlongs last time so we’re going back down to six and moving into handicap class for the first time. I would be looking for a bold show from her here.

 

5:35 Maiden Fillies

Bay Of Whispers (Silvestre De Sousa)

She improved on her first run and the step up in trip last time so is the form horse in the race and I’d be very hopeful of her chance here.

 

NEWMARKET

1:05 Handicap

Love Powerful (Jack Mitchell)

She is a very tough filly with an extremely likeable attitude and I thought she put in a very good performance to win at Haydock the other day. She’s 6lbs higher in the weights now but is still on the upgrade and should go well.

Theotherside (Thore Hammer Hansen)

She missed the break at Windsor on Monday and the winner wasn’t for catching yet she still stayed on well to finish second from an uncompromising position. She’s done nothing at home all week so is as fresh as we can get her and the Handicapper has kept her on 81 but with Thore’s 3lbs claim she’s potentially very well treated here.  WINNER!!!

 

1:40 Maiden

Soundslikethunder (Rossa Ryan)

He’s a beautiful colt by Night Of Thunder who has been showing all the right signs at home and I’m looking forward to getting him on the track. This could end up a pretty good Maiden and our horse will improve for the experience but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him make his presence felt.

 

2:15 Handicap

Sesame Birah (Rossa Ryan)

She’s got some very smart form to her name but unfortunately her two runs as a three-year-old have been below par so she certainly has to step up on recent outings. That said, this is only her second run in a handicap and she has come down to a mark of 92, so you never know.

 

DONCASTER

4:20 Novice Stakes

Arsonist (Sean Levey)

He’s improved big time for his first run at Chelmsford where he was very green but that has sharpened him up and while John Gosden’s look the one to beat I wouldn’t expect to see this horse too far away.

 

4:55 Novice Stakes

Lyric Gold (Sean Levey)

He had a run for education, more than anything else, last backend but he’s wintered really well and I’ve been extremely happy with his work over the last week or so and he is improving all the time.

 

7:00 Handicap

Afro Blue (Sean Levey)

He’s performed okay on both starts this season so has a chance, however there are a few others that arrive here in slightly better form than him which doesn’t really inspire confidence, but he’s in good shape.

 

7:30 Handicap

Photograph (Sean Levey)

He’s a big strong colt who was much too keen at Windsor last time and the saddle slipped which meant Andrea had to eventually pull him up. This long straight will really play to his strengths where he’ll be able to get into a nice rhythm and as he’s an extremely unexposed horse, I’m quietly confident he can run a huge race.

 

We have plenty of runners on Sunday at Ascot and York as well as lots at Goodwood next week so keep checking back here for all the latest on our winning chances!