Friday 29 May 2015 09:09, UK
Our star columnist Richard Fahey with a horse-by-horse guide to his 26 runners on Saturday.
It’s great to welcome Godolphin as owners at the yard following their purchase of Birchwood earlier this week. They’ve bought a very nice colt who we’ve been pleased with since his win at Newbury. It’s good to have their colours in the tack room and I hope we have a bit of luck together.
It’s a busy Saturday ahead with 26 runners across four meetings. We’ll start with Haydock and Jumeirah Glory in the Download New Racing UK iPad App Handicap. He’s been a bit disappointing if I’m being honest and didn’t do anything when fifth at Chester the last day. He’s still working well at home and we’re happy with him but I’d like to see more here.
Don’t Touch is a horse we really like and it was nice to see him win so well at Newcastle on debut. He could be very nice but is still a bit of a baby and will learn plenty from running in the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap.
Mfiftythreedotcom might just need a bit help from the handicapper. There were no excuses for his last run but we’ll try again in the Walsh IBS Handicap.
Onto York and I really wouldn’t want to split Rene Mathis and Dusky Queen in the titanbet.co.uk Stakes. Dusky is the Queen of York, she loves the place, and was very impressive at the Dante Meeting. She needs a personal best to win but is in good form. Rene Mathis ran a blinder at Chester last time and is in tip top shape right now. He should also go well in what is a very competitive race.
Angel Gabrial has a bit to find on official ratings with one or two in the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup but I’m looking forward to seeing him run. He didn’t run his race at Chester but we’ll take a lead and see what happens this time. We’re very happy with him at home.
Lexi’s Hero won well at Chester on his reappearance but any rain would help him ahead of the titanbet.co.uk Spring Sprint. I just wonder whether he’d have the tactical speed for five furlongs at York on quick ground.
We’ve three in the LAR Asbestos Removal Stakes. Emerahldz has taken time to come to herself this spring and might prefer softer ground but she needs to start out now. Our Gabrial decides when he comes right himself. We’re happy with him at home now but he is a hard horse to get to grips with as he’s very laidback and hand on heart we don’t really know where we are with him just now.
Innocent Touch is getting a little frustrating. I think he’s handicapped to win something like this but while he’s been running ok of late he hasn’t been setting the world alight.
We’ve two in the Yorkshire Regiment EBF Stallions Median Auction Maiden Stakes. I’d be surprised if Back To Bond could win a race as competitive as this on debut but is ready to run. I was pleased enough with Another Touch’s first effort here. Given a little improvement for the experience he could be knocking on the door.
Shalabina was very disappointing at the Dante Meeting. She did everything the opposite way to how we expected and was very keen and dropped away. We’ll drop her in in the Infinity Tyres Breeders Backing Racing EBF Fillies' Stakes, ride a race and see how she goes.
The handicapper has given Pamushana a chance but she’s one who wouldn’t want the ground to be too quick. She’s still learning her trade but is a filly who will definitely win races.
Seven furlongs around York is where I’d want to be with Ixelles Diamond. She gets just that in the John Wright Electrical Gentleman Amateur Riders' Stakes. My only worry is she has a big weight to carry with 11 stone which is why we’re claiming off her. She’s very genuine.
Onto Chester now and Flanders Flame in the Jagermeister / EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes. He’s a little bit raw and the type of horse who will improve for the experience. He has a good draw but I think Beaverbrook could be hard to beat.
Rain would be very welcome ahead of the Matthew Clark Handicap. Both Loving Spirit and Gabrial’s Kaka are capable of running very well here if it arrives as they are best when they can get their toe in.
As Good As Gold is a well-bred filly and we’d like to win a maiden with her. The Bottega Gold Prosecco Maiden Stakes looks a good opportunity for her and she’ll definitely be better back to six furlongs here having run over seven at Redcar last time.
English Summer ran well on his reappearance at this track and was entitled to have needed the run. It’s hard to believe he’s still progressing but he looks to be and is in great order right now.
Gabrial The Duke is right on his game at the moment. I was very impressed with him when he won at Musselburgh the last day and he goes on any ground and seemingly over any trip. He’s very reliable and they are two with chances in the Hooper's Dandelion & Burdock Handicap.
Mica Mika is a real favourite in the yard and it’s fantastic to see him bidding to complete a four-timer in the Coca Cola Handicap. He’s been going up in the weights and it would take a lifetime best to win this at the age of seven but he’s in terrific form. It’s just at the back of my mind though that Paul Hanagan gets on particularly well with the horse and can’t ride here.
Our other runner Postscript is in very, very good form. I’m a fraction worried he’s best over a mile but Marwan Koukash thinks he’ll stay so we’re giving it a go.
He also owns Modernism, our first runner at Newmarket. We thought he’d win at Chester on his first start for us but didn’t handle the testing ground there. He went on to win nicely at Pontefract last Friday. He runs in the winner.co.uk Handicap and will go well providing the ground stays on the quick side.
Mehdi has been running well of late and the poor fellow, like so many sprint handicappers, just needs a bit of luck. He doesn’t know how to run a bad race and goes in the winner.co.uk Casino Handicap.
We’ve struggled to find a race for Montefalcon of late and the first opportunity that came around was the Bet 25 Get 50 At winner.co.uk Handicap. He won well on his reappearance and is still progressive so must have a chance.
