Scrutinise
There is a fantastic card at Ascot for Champions Day today and I am very much looking forward to the action later this afternoon. It is a bonus that the ground will be as perfect as you could hope for at this time of year and it should lead to very competitive racing. I must congratulate Aiden O’Brien on winning the Trainers’ title, he has had a tremendous year and any Group1 winners today will take him beyond 20 Group1 wins for the year. It has been interesting to watch Jim Crowley and Silvestre De Sousa go head to head over the past few months and Jim Crowley’s win was thoroughly deserved as he has been extremely consistent over the last two months and has always seemed to have his horses in the right position at the right time.
I was delighted that Gabrielle broke her Maiden up at Redcar yesterday, she is a well bred filly and heads to the Horses In Training Sales now. Silvestre thought she would win again but she will also be an attractive prospect as a broodmare. Sparkle shaped well in the 6f Maiden and got back on track after a short break, I am looking forward to her three year old career as I think she will improve with a Winter on her back. Oceanus was disappointing in the Nursery at Haydock but the ground was much faster than we were hoping for and he did not let himself down on it.
We run Scrutinise at Wolverhampton tonight in the 7:15 1m4f handicap. He drops in grade here and there were excuses for his disappointing effort at Newbury last time, so I hope he can run well. He does have the burden of 9:12 to carry but he should be able to carry it. Engage has been consistent without winning and Shakopee would be a danger to all if he can rediscover his York form.