Global Exceed
We have had some much needed rain here at HQ this week and it has allowed me to get the two year olds on the grass. It is vital for their education that we can get them on to the turf but it is even more important that it is a safe surface when we do so. It looks like being dry today and then we are due some more rain tomorrow morning, so we should have some nice ground here for a little while longer.
I have not run many horses this week and it was fantastic to win with Khitaamy on Wednesday at Catterick Bridge. He battled well and now he has got his head in front I hope there is more improvement to come from him. Alemaratalyoum ran well when fourth on Monday at Wolverhampton. He had to come from off the pace and he has indicated on his last couple of runs that he needs a stiff seven furlongs or a mile. There are still races to be won with him. Blushing Red was too keen up at Thirsk and did not help himself at all, he needs to learn to relax better and he would also appreciate an easier surface. Global Wonder ran with promise at Yarmouth on Wednesday in the 7f Maiden. He was too keen during the first couple of furlongs but he showed us that he possesses ability and he just needs to learn to settle so that he saves his energy for the business end of a race.
We have five runners today spread over three racecourses. Global Exceed is our first runner in the 2:30 at Nottingham. We would have preferred not to have seen the rain arrive there yesterday as he is bred to appreciate a sound surface but it does not look like being as soft as it was when he ran there last time. He has shown promise on both his second and third starts and seems to have appreciated a little break post his third start. I would be hopeful he will prove better than his mark at some stage and it would be great if it can be today. He may appreciate a seventh furlong in time. It looks to be a trappy race with those at the top of the weights running consistently of late without being a strong Nursery.
Sileel runs in the 4:15 at Nottingham and she ran well over this trip at Goodwood on good ground that had some cushion in it. The front two pulled nicely clear last time at Kempton when we stepped her up to a mile and a half and I don’t think a drop back to this trip will inconvenience her. Mahabba ran to around the same level as we have on debut and if she steps forward from that debut run at Salisbury she is the filly we have to beat. Sea Tide was close up behind two smart types over an extended mile at Nottingham on debut and has to be feared whilst Frosting is not without ability.
Ruysch showed plenty of promise when fourth on her debut and she makes her second start here at HQ in the fillies’ Novice at 6:10. It looks a strong race and Quivery was very impressive when winning at Doncaster on debut. She has to give away seven pounds to her rivals but she might easily be able to do so. Eastern Sunrise and Forest Dragon are two interesting newcomers too but I hope our filly comes on for the run if she does then we should be in the shake up. Chocolate Account runs in the 8:15 and she is going to be outclassed realistically but it will be beautiful ground here at HQ this evening and I hope she can show some promise before she enters handicap company in the future.
Sir Gnet is our final runner at Pontefract in the 8:35 tonight. He has shown ability on both handicap starts and back on better ground this step up in trip should be in his favour. He ran well at Newbury when finishing strongly and then ran into a horse that has subsequently proven to be very well handicapped at Yarmouth on an easier surface. By virtue of it being a Maiden handicap, nothing in here has won but Luminous has shown ability in both starts this year. The horse that beat Luminous on her last start was very frustrating in his previous starts and therefore the handicapper may not have been as lenient with her as it first seems. Epitaph has shown ability but the rest of the field look quite exposed and our horses would seem to hold decent each way claims here.