Mawsool
Good morning from Newmarket. The weather has turned noticeably colder of late, but we are a long way from winding down for the winter. I still have plenty of horses to run, as we look to break a losing run that stretches back further than one would care to remember! Today we have three chances.
Our first representative is Homesick Boy in the 2.25 at Windsor. A son of the little known US sire Data Link, his dam was a two-time winner across the Atlantic and is related to a few stakes performers. He has been a bit backward at home, and will improve markedly for the run this afternoon, but he needs to get started sooner rather than later. This looks a warm race and we are unquestionably outsiders, but I hope to see some encouragement.
My second runner will be Creek Harbour in the 5.50 at Pontefract, a mile maiden. A son of Kodiac that has needed time, he showed a lot of promise on his recent debut at Chelmsford when finishing fourth. That also came over a mile, though there is a slight concern that the trip combined with soft ground will prove a little too taxing at this stage of his career. Fronsac, who finished a place ahead of him last time, and nicely-bred sorts trained by Mark Johnston and William Haggas ensure that this will be a difficult test, but our horse undoubtedly has form claims. I hope that normal improvement from his debut will see Creek Harbour involved in the finish.
My final runner today is Mawsool in the second division of the six-furlong novice at 6.45 at Kempton. He has been third on both starts to date, including when finishing five lengths behind the now 105-rated Khadeem on debut, and his second effort at Newbury was certainly encouraging too. Another son of Kodiac, I have no fears about switching him to artificial surfaces, and hopefully he ought to run well. He probably needs to find a few pounds of improvement to win, but hopefully that is not out of the question.
All the best,
Ed.