Global Applause
Another beautiful morning here in Newmarket, it was cold again earlier but it is starting to warm up now and the ground should be nearly perfect at the Rowley Mile. I was very pleased with Sagaciously yesterday at Goodwood in the Fillies’ Listed contest, she had a rough passage through the race and finished a creditable fifth. I hope we can pick up some black type with her later in the season. Rock ‘N Red travelled very well during the one mile and a quarter handicap but did not see her race out, she was slightly free which may have been a factor but she was disappointing.
Oasis Fantasy runs in the first at Newmarket and we are trying blinkers for the first time on him. Ryan Moore said he hated the soft ground at Epsom but we are hoping that the ground has now dried out enough that we see him in a better light today. He has some solid form in decent handicaps and as long as he is not too keen in the blinkers he has a small chance in what is unsurprisingly a competitive handicap. Global Applause is our second two year old runner from La Grange of the year and he is a horse I like. He has pleased me in his homework but my two years olds always improve for the run and the race is likely to be packed with highly touted youngsters. We have Ryan Moore booked and I hope he can perform with credit.
The 1,000 Guineas looks very competitive, there was a bias towards those ridden prominently yesterday and that will suit Lumiere if the same happens today. Minding like Air Force Blue yesterday has very smart two year old form but that does not always mean she will produce it again at three. Ballydoyle is no back number and she is closely matched with Minding on her two year old form, Nathra is smart but she may want more cut as would Midweek. There are numerous other promising types and I look forward to what should be a very good race. Well done to Hugo Palmer on his debut British Classic winner yesterday, Frankie gave Galileo Gold a very positive ride and their confidence was rewarded with an authoritative victory over a solid yardstick in Massaat. Many of the other fancied runners were disappointing in behind and we shall see if they can bounce back later in the season.