Khanmurjan
Greetings from Newmarket, where the sun continues to shine brightly in the sky! We have a busy day with five runners spread over three meetings.
We venture to Ayr with two runners as they have had a little rain and look to be getting some of the best ground around – it is officially good, which has been a rarity of late. In the 2.00 we run Khanmurjan, a nice Scat Daddy colt out of a winning Montjeu mare. He has had two runs to date, finishing fifth on soft ground at Goodwood and then fifth again on quick ground at Newmarket. Both of the races he has contested have been won by Stakes horses, so hopefully we are in calmer waters this afternoon. Trip, track and ground should hold no fears, so hopefully he has a little each way chance.
Our second runner at Ayr is Mudallel, in the seven-furlong 0-85 handicap. A dual AW winner at Kempton last year, it has been a little bit of a struggle getting him right this time around. His comeback run was satisfactory, but he showed very little at Haydock on his most recent start, finishing last. It is possible he is better on the AW than turf, but we will give him another chance here. Fingers crossed he can go a bit better this time. Both of our Ayr runners are ridden by Phil Makin, though we must pass on our best wishes to Paul Mulrennan, who was due to get the leg up on Mudallel prior to his nasty spill on Saturday. Best wishes Paul from everyone here at La Grange.
At Ripon in the 2.45 we run the Garswood filly Roca Magica. She has earned a handicap rating of 56 after three runs in maiden/novice company, showing pace on each occasion but failing to get home. Whether it has been due to lack of stamina, immaturity, or something else entirely is a bit of a mystery. This should be an easier assignment and she has a feather weight, so it is hoped that we will learn something about her in order to make future plans. Paddy Mathers rides.
In the 4.55 at the same venue we run Qawamees in the mile and a quarter novice. The William Haggas trained Snow Wind looks hard to beat, but hopefully we are one of the best of the rest. Qawamees showed a good deal of ability when a narrow second on his only run last season, but his comeback effort at Chelmsford was a disaster. He needs to leave that effort well behind, but should he do so then he ought to be fairly competitive under Jim Crowley.
Our final runner today is Reddiac in the 6.20 at Windsor. He ran a fair race behind Calyx on debut, and then stepped up on that to finish third at Yarmouth. It may be that he wants another furlong, but we have taken a chance and given him another go at six. He will probably be a nursery prospect after this, but I would like to think he can be competitive nonetheless. Adam Kirby is in the saddle.
All the best,
Ed.