NEWMARKET – THURSDAY

3:00 Handicap

Magical Wish (Silvestre De Sousa)

He put up a decent performance at Sandown on Saturday when going down by a neck to a horse in receipt of 13lbs so while it’s disappointing to get beaten, he actually lost nothing in defeat. He’s got a lovely attitude and is as tough as they come. He got put up 6lbs for that effort but we’re able to race of 91 here which is why he’s out again before his new mark comes into effect. The drop back to six furlongs won’t be a problem as he’s got lots of pace and I think he has outstanding claims.

4:05 Maiden Fillies’

Falconidae (Tom Marquand)

She probably ran in the best Fillies’ Novice of the season at Newmarket last time as both the first and second went on to win at Royal Ascot so the form obviously has a very strong look to it. She’s a filly with plenty of ability and I think her experience will count for plenty on this track in a race taking on several newcomers. She would have a serious chance.

4:40 Listed Henry Cecil Stakes

Motawaafit (Jim Crowley)

Things didn’t pan out in the Britannia, as if often the case, so I’m happy to draw a line through that and he’ll be much more comfortable in a race like this. We’ve always liked him and his form is more than good enough to be taken seriously in this. He’s versatile ground-wise and is in very good form at home so I see no reason why he can’t go well.

Urban Icon (Tom Marquand)

Everyone knows how much I love this colt who ran a very good race in the Jersey and his close form with Space Blues (second in the G1 Prix Jean Prat) would give him every chance here. He’s been a little bit unlucky this season so deserves to get his head back in front and I expect him to go very close.

Absolute peach! Space Traveller wins the Jersey Stakes for @RichardFahey and Danny Tudhope… #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/o5KFf2ZjeF

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2019

5:10 Handicap

Mordred (Ryan Moore)

There’s no doubt he’s got to step up on what he’s shown in three starts this season but the Handicapper has given him a chance and we’ve managed to secure Ryan Moore which will hopefully aid his cause. He wasn’t disgraced at Ascot last time and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run a big race off a nice low weight.

We’ve got a few runners down at Newbury on Thursday evening and I’d be hopeful of a bold show from Hard Nut in the 6:10.