Alternative Fact
It has been a beautiful morning in Newmarket, and we look forward to three runners today, including two at Royal Ascot.
It is worth reflecting on yesterday’s runners first, however. I was delighted to see Sanam win again at Chelmsford. This nicely-bred son of Oasis Dream had scored in good style over a mile and a half at Newcastle previously and was following up on his first try at two miles. We seem to have found the key to him, and I hope that Sanam has not finished his winning for this season. I send my warmest congratulations to his owners, the Limestreet Partnership.
At Ascot yesterday we ran Global Giant in the Hampton Court, a highly competitive Gr.3 over 10-furlongs. The size of his task was highlighted by his SP of 100/1, but he belied those odds under Gerald Mosse to finish a creditable fifth. The handicapper will undoubtedly have his say now, but it is exciting to think we may have another Stakes horse on our hands.
Our first runner in Berkshire this afternoon is Alternative Fact in the Gr.2 King Edward VII Stakes at 3.05. We are the 33/1 outsider in a field of nine, but I don’t think we will be disgraced. The son of Dalakhani was second in Listed company behind Wootton last season, and that one did the form no harm when finishing third in the Gr.1 St James’s Palace Stakes this week. On his only run this season Alternative Fact was sixth in the Prix de Guiche, when far too keen in front. On face value it was a little disappointing, but the form reads well now, with the second and fourth in the Prix du Jockey Club not far in front of him. He needs to settle better and this is his first attempt at a mile and a half, so the plan is to drop him in from stall 5 and see where it takes us. James Doyle is in the saddle.
In the Duke Of Edinburgh at 5.35 I will saddle Manjaam, a recent winner of a 0-95 handicap at York over this mile and a half trip. He has been nudged up four pounds in the weights as a result, to a mark of 96 that has always proved just beyond him in the past. Perhaps the biggest handicap will be his draw, as we are starting from the car park in berth 21. That said, conditions will suit and he is a winner over the course and distance. Ed Greatrex takes the ride and we keep our fingers crossed.
Our final runner of the day is Al Nafoorah in the 8.00 at Newmarket. She was a wonderfully consistent performer last season, winning three races and finishing second a further five times. She will strip fitter for her recent Kempton comeback and is versatile regarding conditions, whilst I hope the stiff climb to the line will be in her favour as she stays further than this seven-furlongs. This does look a competitive enough race though, and she remains five pounds above her last winning mark, so she will be need to be at the very top of her game.
All the best,
Ed.