Pete called us after Winker‘s work this morning and said he is still running a bit flat and needs more time. We could have run him over the weekend in group company but he’s too good a horse to take liberties with. The Middle Park is only three weeks away and that is his next target – he should be back to his best by then.
Bouguereau worked well and should line up at Goodwood on Saturday. Shepherd’s Warning was dropped 4lb – she is entered at Kempton on Saturday but she may not get in. Major Eazy is in a conditions race at Doncaster, also on Saturday, but may not stand his ground. Baldovina and Prince Ary are both entered at Bangor on Friday.
The Leger meeting kicks off today and it looks like decent betting fare.
In the first I note that Angel Rock, trained by Pete and ridden by Ryan Moore, is trading at around 20-1. I haven’t discussed this horse with Pete but I think he’s a respectable animal – it’s a quality race but he may have an each way squeak.
In the fillies nursery I like Crystany. She was expensive and extremely well bred – Cecil has run her three times already, and I don’t think he’d have done that with a filly of this quality unless he thought she needed experience and would come on for it. She could be thrown in here and looks an obvious bet.
The third could certainly be a decent race. Ascot Lime is currently favourite but without a single meaningful entry to his name I’d be surprised if he comes out top today. Cigalas and Newly Elected have run in races where the form has worked out extremely well – on a line through Eastern Gift, Newly Elected has the edge, but Cigalas ran very green and I’m inclined to prefer him out of the two. George Margarson thought enough of Woolfall Treasure to take him over to Deauville to run in a listed race. With conditions likely to suit and currently trading at 16-1 he appeals as the value – his experience may tell.
In the sales race at 3.15 there are a lot of exposed looking types making up the numbers. I may have another go at Oasis Wind, who looks to have the size to shoulder weight and has also looked as if he has scope to progress.
In the 4.55 I have high hopes for Heaven Knows, a horse whose pedigree screams of progression from three to four. A half brother to Notnowcato by Halling, he showed up well for most of the race three weeks ago before blowing up in the closing stages. With such a late start to the season all has clearly not gone to plan – perhaps he came out a little early.
Seb Sanders has four rides today – three cheap races at Haydock before making his way to Doncaster to ride one for Sir Mark in the last. He’s chasing the jockey’s title and he’s more interested in quantity than quality – if he spent the day at Donny he’d probably be riding a few rags for Clive Brittain and he knows he’s onto a better bet over at Haydock. All four rides look interesting.