Global Humor
Good morning from Newmarket. We are unquestionably enduring a run of particularly bad form, and yesterday’s runners did little to raise spirits. That said, although our fancied runners Mawsool and Creek Harbour were bitter disappointments, it was pleasing at least to see Homesick Boy show a modicum of promise on his debut at Windsor. Hopefully he can build on that and will be winning races next season.
The latest bit of bad news is that Vision Clear has spread a plate, so won’t be going to Leicester today. A minor setback, hopefully we can find him another opportunity soon. That withdrawal means that our first runner today is going to be Cue’s Folly in the 3.10 at Catterick, a two mile 0-60 handicap. A lovely daughter of Nathaniel, she has needed time and distance, and then more distance! A slow developer, she has only begun to find her feet as we have stepped her up to marathon distances. Her latest effort when finishing a running on third at Chepstow over two and a quarter miles was a career best, and if she can build on that she might have an each way squeak. The drop in distance today is a negative, and whether or not she will handle Catterick remains to be seen. We have to hope that she is still progressing, however, and we are looking forward to a decent run from a genuine mare. Ben Curtis rides.
My two other runners come late in the evening at Newcastle. Mudallel runs in the 0-85 handicap over a mile at 8.15, and he needs a revival. His form in mid-season was good, as he won and finished second in consecutive races at Chelmsford. A step up in grade has not worked out at all on his last two starts, with a change of tactics last time out failing to pay dividends. Newcastle can play to the strengths of a hold up performer at times, so it is hoped that a drop in grade and the new surroundings will spark a revival.
Half an hour later Global Humor runs in a seven-furlong 0-75 handicap. A promising third at this venue on racecourse debut last year, he went on to win a Wolverhampton novice before the end of his two-year-old season. He has had a few holdups this year, and showed virtually nothing on his first two runs of the season. A midfield effort at Newmarket in August signalled he was on the way back, and his last run at Kempton was significantly better than his finishing position of ninth suggests. I hope he is not too badly handicapped, and think that a return to Newcastle will suit. We are outsiders but he should run a decent race granted a bit of luck. Gerald Mosse rides both of our Newcastle runners.
All the best,
Ed.