Good morning from Newmarket. We endured quite a lot of frustration yesterday with three relatively well-fancied runners failing to hit the target, but hopefully we can remedy that on this glorious Tuesday. We send one to Wolverhampton and two to Chelmsford, and here is hoping that they can all give a good account.
In the 4.45 at Wolverhampton, a 0-65 maiden handicap over an extended mile, Toro Dorado tries to get off the mark at the 14th attempt. This horse was placed in a nursery on the AW last year, before enduring a spell in the wilderness. He returned to form when second over a mile at Newcastle almost a month ago, before running respectably at Epsom when third 12 days ago.
That was another fair effort from a horse that can be characterised as not particularly straightforward! He has always promised to achieve more than he has, but one way or another it has not quite worked out. As a result of his quirky nature, it is probably a bonus to have Oisin Murphy back in the saddle for the second consecutive race, as no doubt he will have learned plenty from riding the horse before. This is a competitive race as you would expect, but the trip and track really ought to suit and there should not be many excuses for Toro today. If he is ever going to get his head in front, this looks a prime opportunity, but now it is over to him.
Moving to Chelmsford this evening, Jabalaly will take his chance in the mile 0-80 handicap at 6.50. This horse’s fine progress through the novice ranks came to an abrupt halt with a disappointing display on handicap debut at Doncaster in May.
That was his first start since being gelded, and nothing much went right during the race, so hopefully the effort can be forgiven. He has been given time to get over that race, and now steps up to a mile for the first time, which I believe will suit. The prevailing quick ground has led us to look at AW options for him recently, and provided he handles conditions he ought to run well. I would like to think he is not impossibly handicapped on a mark of 77 and hopefully he will be there or thereabouts under Ryan Moore.
Our final runner of the day is Shawaaheq in the seven-furlong 0-80 handicap at 8.20, also at Chelmsford. This horse showed promise on his second and third starts before getting off the mark in a median auction maiden at Beverley over seven and a half furlongs last month.
That was not a strong race by any means, and he could be another candidate for at least a furlong further in time. However, he has been ready to go for some time and needs a run, whilst he is another horse that we have been keen to avoid rattling quick ground with - and his second run at Wolverhampton indicated that he is suited by artificial surfaces. We don’t really know if he is that well-handicapped from a mark of 76, but this 8 runner contest looks a good opportunity to find out. Fingers crossed he can run a respectable race under Jim Crowley.
All the best,
Ed.