Tadleel
After a dry week the expected rain fell here in HQ and 6mm of precipitation has changed the ground to good to soft. It should still be nice ground as the surface has not been raced on and the early morning drizzle has now cleared and the sun may come out this afternoon. We are due some more rain tomorrow and so the ground should remain on the easy side throughout the meeting but it is much better than everywhere else.
Sporting Times ran well last night, he could have done with a stronger gallop but he ran on to finish second. Storm Jazz found it all happening a little quick for her and we might try her back up in trip next time.
We run four horses at Newmarket today. Highcastle makes his debut in the 2:00 and he is an immature type who will do better with time. Baasha is our second runner in the race and I would expect him to step forward a little from his Sandown effort but this looks a strong Maiden with Ghaiyyath setting a good standard out of those who have raced. Midi is impeccably bred and it will be interesting to see how he shapes.
Tadleel runs in the mile Nursery at 2:35. He was done no favours by the handicapper after his win at Kempton but he is tough and he is improving. I think he will enjoy the slight ease in the ground and whilst there may be a better handicapped rival in the race, he won’t go down without a fight. Global Conqueror is improving from race to race and he could be the best handicapped horse in the field but Rastrelli found plenty for pressure at Brighton and Maksab just got the better of us on the July Course and cannot be discounted if he handles the ground.
Amlad is our final runner in the 4:55. He needs to prove himself on the ground but this will be much nicer than the very soft ground he ran on at Goodwood and I hope he can handle it. He ran into an unexposed type at Newcastle but he toughed it out well and a similar performance today would give him a chance. Torcello’s win at the July Course has worked out well and he ran better than the bare form last time whilst Roar is still relatively unexposed at the bottom of the weights. Jaameh has a valuable handicap win to his name and although he looks exposed he can’t be discounted and Marmajuke Bay heads here with a win under his belt.