Dark Red
It has been a busy morning at La Grange with the preparation and organisation involved in having runners at 4 different racecourses today. It is on days like this the delegation of duties and responsibilities becomes intensified by the sheer logistics involved. It can only be achieved through teamwork and the dedication of a willing staff. I am both fortunate and very grateful to have such a team at La Grange.
The first runner of the day is Cue’s Folly in the 2.15 at Lingfield. After having her first run at Wolves in November, I gave her some time to mature, and feel she is now ready to step up in trip as she competes over 10f today. The good ground forecast for Lingfield should suit, and I am hoping she will put in an improved performance today in what looks to be a maiden field of potentially decent fillies. My other runner at Lingfield Is Canimar in the 7f 3yr old handicap at 3.55. Given the strength of the field, Canimar may find it hard to be competitive today. But, she is ready to run, and we will learn more from her performance today.
At Chester today, I run Dark Red in the 10f Boodles Diamond Handicap at 3.00. He ran very well in the Lincoln at Doncaster, travelling well and only fading in the final furlong to finish 7th. The return to 10f should suit, and he has performed well on the Roodee before and has the assistance of Ryan Moore in the plate. He is well drawn in stall 5, and I am hopeful he has a decent EW chance in a race chock-full of tough and talented handicappers. Red has been admirably consistent over the years, and this is reflected in his mark of 101. But, he has earned his rating and I hope can add to it today.
Next, we move to the evening card at Ripon with Sparte Quercus (7.30). He needed his comeback run at Newbury and we go to Ripon in search of nice ground for Sparte. Simon Crisford’s Mordin looks very progressive and is the one we all have to beat here, but again, I am hoping from a better performance from Sparte and would be delighted if he could run into the places.
Global Art makes his handicap debut tonight at Nottingham in the 10f 3yr old handicap at 7.50. While on pedigree we thought he might be a 7f to a mile horse, those who have ridden him both on the racecourse, and at home have suggested he would benefit from a step up to middle distances. Tonight, we will test this theory, and if proving to be correct, I am hopeful he will put in an improved performance. He lacks the experience of some of his rivals, but has a nice draw in 5, and I think the track will suit.
So, on a day of geographical challenges I will sign off and pack the Sat Nav!
All the best,
Ed