Sanam working on the grass
Good morning from Newmarket! It is a fine and beautiful day, and we have two runners to look forward to. Yesterday was a major frustration, with four horses going to the races for three seconds and a third! However, all the horses ran very well, so we cannot be too discouraged.
Our first runner today is Vision Clear in the 5.10 at Wolverhampton. He had been knocking on the door prior to getting off the mark in a mile and a half handicap at Beverley last time out. First time blinkers seemed to sweeten him up on that occasion, and if they have the same effect today then he ought to go close. A four pound rise makes life tricky and the market leader Festive is being noticeably well backed, but it would still be disappointing if he cannot be competitive. Shane Kelly rides.
Our second representative is Sanam in the 7.00 at Lingfield. This horse was on a roll earlier in the year, winning three successive races at trips ranging from a mile and a half to two miles, on the AW. His rating went up from 48 to 64 as a result, and the burden proved too much at Chelmsford two starts back, when he was a bitterly disappointing odds-on favourite. We then gave him a go on the turf at Ffos Las last week, but the wheels were spinning a long way from home, and he finished tailed off. So we find ourselves on a bit of a recovery mission now, returning to the AW, and back to a reduced mark of 61. If he returns to his best it is not out of the question that he could run well, but I honestly don’t know what to expect. The horse appears in good form, I don’t think he took much out of himself last week, so we hope for the best. Fran Berry is booked for the mount.
Best wishes,
Ed.