AS everyone knows, it has been quite a frustrating week or so for all of the team after I had to pull Rosallion out of the Sussex Stakes owing to a small respiratory issue. It’s nothing major, and he will fully recover, it’s basically an equine cold, but it just came at the wrong time, and it would have been a rush to get him back for the Moulin as well, so we’ve decided to draw stumps for the time being.
It’s a terrible shame for all concerned but obviously the horse’s welfare is the most important thing so there was no decision to make, really. It’s unlikely that he’ll run again this season, primarily because the ground isn’t going to be getting any quicker as we approach the autumn, and we’re not keen on a trip to the Breeders’ Cup. He’s not entered in the QEII, which is almost certain to be run on Good to Soft, at least, which is why we left it alone, but he’ll continue ticking along and we’ll see what the future holds.The good news is, that he stays in training next year which is very sporting of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and I hope he will be rewarded with plenty more success.
Haatem heads to Deauville on Sunday for a crack at the Prix Jacques Le Marois, which is going to be a very tough task against his elders, but he’s come out of Royal Ascot in great shape and deserves to take his chance.
The horses are running well, and we enjoyed an across the card double yesterday with Gisburn winning at Chepstow under a great ride by Oisin Murphy and Lexington Knight scoring at Brighton, so we go into the weekend with the yard in good shape and hopefully we can have a few winners over the next couple of days!
SHERGAR CUP – ASCOT
3:20 Sprint
Aramram (Seamie Heffernan)
He was a little disappointing at Windsor last time, but the ground was plenty quick enough, and he’ll be suited by the recent rain. This is his trip, and he’s no slouch, but the favourite could be very hard to beat.
Dapper Valley (Rachel King)
He hasn’t won since debut but has posted some decent efforts and should come on a lot for his first run since being gelded. His work is always quite smart, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a solid race.
Unibet are BOOSTING the price of the favourite in this race!
3:55 Classic
Houston (Marie Velon)
He finally got the job done at Windsor last month on his first run since being gelded and I’d like to think he’s now taken a good step forward. He’s always shown plenty of ability, it just a case of him putting it all together. The step up in trip could bring out even more improvement and he has to be taken very seriously on his Handicap debut.
Unibet are BOOSTING the price of the favourite in this race!
4:30 Mile
Talis Evolvere (Nakako Fujita)
He’s as consistent as they come and wasn’t beaten far in the Golden Mile at Goodwood. Ascot will suit him better and he goes there with a decent each way chance.
Tacarib Bay (Tadhg O’Shea)
He has some very strong form to his name and handles pretty much any ground. His record around Ascot is not bad and I think he is starting to look incredibly well handicapped.
Unibet are BOOSTING the price of the favourite in this race!
NEWMARKET
2:30
Jet Packer (Alec Voikhansky)
I thought he’d finish a bit closer at Goodwood, but the ground was very quick and I’m hoping he’ll be more comfortable with a bit of cut here. He’s down 2lbs and Alec takes 3lbs off so he’s potentially 5lbs lower, which is an obvious help than hindrance.
4:15
Local Hero (Sean Levey)
He was pulled out of Goodwood last week, but everything is fine now and he’ll be much happier against his own age group. We’ve always thought a lot of him and he still has a bright future ahead.
HAYDOCK
5:20
Delicacy (Harry Davies)
She’s a tough little filly with a lovely attitude who has come down to a realistic Handicap mark and will appreciate the drop back to seven furlongs.
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