Agar's Plough
Good Morning from Newmarket! Yesterday was a busy day with nine runners, though they generally ran deplorably or didn’t run at all! Thankfully, the bonny little Hallalulu got us out of the mud when winning very impressively at Salisbury yesterday evening.
The daughter of Kyllachy travelled smoothly, was fully engaged by Charlie Bishop around two furlongs from home, and then quickened away from her rivals to win impressively. She had gone up seven pounds for winning narrowly at Nottingham, so I hate to think what will happen after yesterday! The fact remains that she could be a nice middle distance handicapper next season, as there is a good bit of stamina in the distaff line, and she is blessed with a terrific attitude.
Today we have three runners, including Global Giant in the Gr.3 Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor at 6.15. This horse has long been thought of as a quality animal, and he took another step towards confirming that view on the racecourse with a fine third in a valuable mile and a quarter handicap at Glorious Goodwood last time out. He could have run in an equivalent race at York today, but with the Winter Hill cutting up it seemed like an excellent opportunity to dip our toe back into Stakes race waters with this horse. We do have a bit to find on the book, and I am disappointed that Windsor was hit with a heavy shower last night, that was not forecast. However, if this horse is to continue to progress through the grades, then he needs to show something in a race of this nature. It will be very interesting to see how he fares against good older horses such as Fabricate, First Sitting and Convey. Rab Havlin is to do the steering.
My other two runners are at Chelmsford. In the seven furlong fillies’ nursery at 1.20, the fabulously consistent Arctic Spirit attempts to get off the mark at the sixth time of asking. She has been steadily progressive, finishing third on her last three appearances, and is now ready to step back up to seven furlongs. She showed her liking for this track last time out, despite missing the break slightly, and should not be far away with a clean jump from the gate this time. Josephine Gordon is booked.
In the 2.30, the slightly disappointing Agar’s Plough resumes his career after a short time away from the track. He looked ok last year, and on some efforts would appear to be thrown in from his current rating of 71. However, he has been generally disappointing this year, and might just need the run this afternoon. That said, if he has improved for his break then he might be there or thereabouts, it really is is a hard one to judge. Charlie Bishop is tasked with trying to get him home in front.
All the best,
Ed.