Mudallel
The Derby meeting is here and it looks like we have a fantastic two days of racing ahead of us. The weather is looking a little unpredictable and we could get some torrential rain at some stage during the afternoon although the most likely outcome is that there will be very little rain at all and the ground will be good.
Enola surprised us a little when she won at Lingfield yesterday as she can be lazy at home. She showed a good attitude and I was delighted to see her get her head in front at the first time of asking. Global Humor was third at Newcastle, he got a little lost when quickening on his own on the far-side of the track and I would expect him to improve a fair bit on this run next time. Arnarson was third at Wolverhampton, he ran into a well regarded newcomer and having tried to go with him down the straight his exertions saw him get collared for second on the line. This was a better run and I hope we can find a small race back on the all-weather for him. Weloof was disappointing in the extended mile handicap, he was being niggled a long way from home and he did not run his race.
We have five runners today. Red Verdon runs in the Coronation Cup today and it is obviously a very competitive race. On his best form of last season he would have a small each-way chance and if the torrential rain hits Epsom it will enhance his chances greatly. If the rain does not arrive then it will still be nice good ground there and the step up to 1m4f is in his favour but he does appear to be a better horse on ground with some ease in it.
Rain will not suit Highland Reel or Frontiersman whereas rain would greatly enhance the chances of Hawkbill. Looking at our other opponents, Journey will not mind any rain and she is a very smart filly. Idaho ran many solid races last season and was very unlucky when unseated in the St Leger. US Army Ranger returns to Epsom and his Derby second is his standout career performance. Prize Money showed greatly improved form in Dubai over the Winter and needs to back that up over here whilst Air Pilot won a Group 3 last time and will greatly appreciate any rain we may have. Elbereth was second in a Group 2 on her last start and whilst she was well beaten by a useful filly, she fully deserves her place in the field in what looks a fascinating renewal of The Coronation Cup.
Zamjar runs in the finale at 5:50. He has done all of his winning over 6f but we feel that the 7f here will not cause him an issue. We have kept the blinkers on as he has worn them for his last two victories and we hope he can break well from stall one and hold a good position early. He has gone up two pounds for his Chester win but he has a nice low weight and has a small each way chance in a fiercely competitive contest. Firefright has always had ability and he finally broke his duck last time, he has an attractive mark but he is drawn wide in stall eleven. Eaton Square has been a big drifter in the market although he has come in for support now and he is well drawn in stall five and he remains very unexposed dropping back in class here. Juanito Chico ran a very good race last time but he will have to be sharper out the stalls than he was at Ascot or it may all happen too quickly for him here.
Blushing Red runs in the 6:00 at Doncaster. It looks like a very open affair with a lot of unexposed types in there but it is potentially easier than the race he lined up in last time. We were very keen to get him relaxed at Newbury and we therefore dropped him out at the back of the field. It was a very promising run from him given he had to make up a lot of ground on a surface that was very gluey and although he was beaten a fair way it was a better performance than it looked.
The horse that beat him on seasonal debut won well at Chester on Saturday and we are hopeful of a good run from our horse. Teodoro has been well found in the market and he won on his penultimate start before running respectably against very strong opposition on a track that may not have suited him. Solar Cross makes his handicap debut and there could be plenty of improvement to come from him.
We run two horses in the 1m Maiden at 7:00. Mudallel ran very well on debut at Newmarket and he is a very good looking son of Invincible Spirit who looks every inch a racehorse. This looks a good starting point for him on nice ground at a good track but we are up against a race fit rival who was second in what is looking like a strong maiden at Newbury. Commander is a son of Frankel who has three half-brothers that have triple digit RPR ratings to their names and he stuck on very well at Newbury when just behind Call To Mind who has since placed in Listed company. He will take all the beating. Sir Gnet showed promise on debut and was then far too keen early on in a hot 1m2f Newbury Maiden where he failed to get home. We have dropped him back to a Mile this evening and hopefully he will settle better here and show some promise for the future.