Global Applause
The temperatures have got a little cooler and it is overcast in Newmarket today. The ground is still very much on the quick side at the Rowley Mile and at Newbury they are expecting it to dry out some more but to remain on the soft side of good. Most of the horses remain in good form and we exercised them up Warren Hill this morning. Mohammed Jaber came to see his horses after second lot and was happy with how they were all looking.
We had a mixed day yesterday but Oasis Fantasy ran another very good race up at York where he was second in the Jorvik handicap. He settled very well and stayed on right to the line but the winner is progressive and as well as having the run of the race he won convincingly and seemed to have more in reserve. Oceanus ran well when finishing third in what is normally a hot maiden at Newbury, he saw the six furlongs out well. Manjaam was disappointing in the 1m3f handicap but he did not like the softer ground and we now know to keep him to a sound surface. Al Nafoorah was a little disappointing at Newmarket in the fillies’ maiden, it was hard to make ground from the rear however and I hope we can see better from her in the future. Gloryette is still green and did not handle the dip in the one mile and a half fillies’ maiden, she is still weak and I am sure we will see better from her in time.
There are five more runners from La Grange today and the racing is very competitive once more. We run Global Applause in the Olympic Glory at Newbury and he won very well on his debut at Newmarket. I am pleased the ground is drying as he handled the good ground well at Newmarket and whilst his sire handled softer ground it is an unknown for him. Mehmas won well at Chester despite looking green and I would expect him to improve, as you would expect for the prize money, this is not an easy race. I hope the extra furlong will bring about further improvement and the way he relaxed last time suggests that it should not be a problem. Vivre Pour Vivre runs in a very competitive London Gold Cup and there has been a lot of support for the favourite Imperial Aviator who beat the horse that won well at Newbury yesterday, Ulysses. He is a horse I like who has travelled well through his races this year and will appreciate the ground, we will find out how good he is after today as it is a very competitive race.
Warrior Prince pleased me on his debut at Windsor and he runs in the mile maiden today at Newmarket. It looks like a very hot race and the ground is faster than Windsor which would concern me a little. Opposition runs in the 4:45 at Newmarket and it looks a hot little race despite there only being three runners. He won very well last time and the second has won since so I hope that the ten pound rise for his last win does not stop him from running well today. Sagaciously runs in a competitive ten furlongs fillies race this evening and she carries the top weight of ten stone. She ran well at Goodwood last time and I hope she can run a solid race again but she may get caught out by a progressive type that she has to give weight to.