At the bottom of the Al Bahathri.
Warm and sunny this morning with a beautiful day in store.
We are down to three runners this afternoon having withdrawn Ejbaar at Haydock on account of the quick ground.
Sharaakah won’t mind the drying surface at Newmarket and she shaped a little better than the bare result on debut at Lingfield. She missed a beat at the start and then ran green throughout, although the penny was beginning to drop in the closing stages and she ran on without being knocked about. That experience won’t be lost on her here and this looks no more than an ok maiden auction on paper.
At Lingfield, Global Avenger – a Kodiac colt purchased from the Breeze-Ups – makes his debut over seven furlongs. Being drawn on the wing isn’t ideal for a newcomer, but hopefully George Baker can get some cover and give him an enjoyable first experience on the racecourse.
Clarentine, who lines up in the fillies’ handicap, is familiar with the course and distance having been beaten here by Maybelater on her penultimate start. That filly won again yesterday and our horse has probably run in three decent maidens. Again, her draw isn’t perfect and she returns from an 88-day break, but she starts life handicapping off a feasible rating.
No declarations for Monday but half a dozen entries for Friday including Times Up and Oasis Fantasy in the Brown Jack at Ascot.
A mountain to climb in the cricket but perfect batting conditions to reach the summit.
Six domestic Flat meetings today and not a great deal of quality. Moving one of last weekend’s premier fixtures to this afternoon might not be a bad idea.
Have a brilliant weekend.
Ed