Melodies
Hello from Newmarket, where the sun is beating down on another very warm day. We are limited to just a pair of runners at Newbury on this busy Saturday afternoon, but both of them head to the races with some sort of a chance.
Amazing Red lines up in the newly created JLT Cup at 2.25, a class 2 handicap over a shade longer than two miles. With a £100,000 total prize fund and 18 runners, this promises to be a fiercely competitive race. I see we have been put in at around fourth or fifth favourite, which seems a little optimistic as Amazing Red has to recover from a lacklustre effort in the Northumberland Plate last time out - although we have since identified the surface as a possible excuse.The ground, maybe even the distance, remain slight question marks, but we hope for a return to his best. If we discount the Newcastle effort then he remains a progressive stayer that has hopefully not reached the ceiling of his ability yet, but we go in hope rather than confidence. Frankie Dettori will ride, hoping to maintain his 100% record on the horse.
In the 4.45, a 0-100 fillies handicap over a mile, we run Melodies. The daughter of Iffraaj was an impressive winner of a Doncaster handicap last time out, defeating four talented opponents and looking well on top at the line. That was a 0-85, and we have been raised six pounds to a mark of 84 in the aftermath. Clearly this is a tougher contest against a higher calibre of opposition and we are taking a little chance by running her back so soon. However, Melodies is a well-bred filly that has promised to do a little better for some time - her second at Newbury last year behind the subsequent Listed winner Magnolia Springs provides a case in point - and she has had legitimate excuses when disappointing. If she can continue her progression it is not beyond the realms of possibility that she could be very competitive this afternoon, and I look forward to hopefully seeing a good run. Jim Crowley is in the saddle.
All the best,
Ed.