Martha and her Gosling Cup teammates.
It just keeps raining – who would have thought it on a Bank Holiday?
I trust you all had an excellent weekend. Martha excelled in the Gosling Cup yesterday, posting a double clear round to finish third in the overall standings and fifth in the team event. A superb effort from her!
The racehorses also turned in pleasing performances at Yarmouth. Alqubbah was entitled to win the fillies’ maiden and I liked the way she quickened in soft ground. The front two were nicely clear of the rest and we will see what the handicapper does before making a plan.
Fieldsman had disappointed us in the spring, but we gave him a break and he got back on track by finishing second to the progressive Mujassam. He didn’t mind the ground, and he’s a fresh horse for this time of year so hopefully he can enjoy a fruitful autumn.
Many of his Highclere owners were in attendance yesterday so I was especially pleased he has rewarded their patience. I was impressed with the condition of the track following the remodelling work – the team have done a good job, so let’s hope the weather is a little kinder for their remaining fixtures this year.
We saddle two this afternoon. Al Hamd makes his second start in the maiden auction at Epsom and he should be sharper for his Newmarket debut. Testing ground is an unknown, but we look set for a prolonged period of that so he will take his chance in a race that probably lacks depth.
Clarentine drops back to a mile and a quarter at Ripon as we felt she did not stay last time. She hasn’t quite had things fall right for her in a number of her races this year and we have been looking forward to getting her on the turf. The penalised Bahamian Desert is the one to beat, but our filly remains on a fair mark.
Two declarations for Wednesday with Mulhaam and Field Of Light set for Lingfield. James Doyle will ride both.
Five entries for Saturday including Oasis Fantasy in the Old Borough Cup. He holds an entry at Leopardsotwn on Irish Champions Weekend as well.
The ‘graveyard of champions’ claimed another one on Saturday evening as American Pharoah succumbed in the Travers. It would be a shame if he was to be retired before a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but he has been a truly great horse that has provided US racing with a crucial shot in the arm this summer.
Best of luck to Victoria Pendleton at Ripon this afternoon. We will all be cheering her on!
Finally, if you’re not already following us on Instagram you can do so here: https://instagram.com/eddunlopracing/. Hannah’s snapshot of the rain this morning was quite something.
Back tomorrow.
Ed.