The string on the Heath.
Cold and foggy but not a bad morning all told.
We used the Al Bahathri first and second lot, sending a total of 18 up there. All went well.
Mr Milmo is due to drop in late morning to cast an eye over his battalion before heading up to the Rowley Mile this afternoon.
We are in for a truly superb day of action and while the Cesarewitch is the punting focus, the Dewhurst is undoubtedly the race of the day. It looks virtually certain that we will have a standout favourite for the 2,000 Guineas at 3.15 this afternoon and it’s treat that the top two-year-old colts will clash before the spring.
While circumstances this year have not allowed the Middle Park winner to line up in the feature this afternoon, the reorganisation of the autumn calendar to separate both juvenile Group 1s is undoubtedly the right move, and the programme looks much more organised for reverting back to what worked so well for so long.
There is no doubt that Minding is the leading two-year-old filly following her devastating victory yesterday. She has form lines will plenty of the key Classic players and will be mightily difficult to beat next year granted a clear winter.
Those racing this afternoon should try and be there early to see the second running of the Oxford/Cambridge Varsity Race. The event was a real success last year, with Cambridge emerging victorious, and the riders involved have dedicated a good chunk of their year preparing for this. We wish them all well and given Mrs Dunlop’s Oxford ties, we will be cheering home the dark blues!
Sharaakah could never get into the Oh So Sharp yesterday, meeting trouble on a number of occasions, but she travelled like a potential stakes filly and that is the route we will take with her next year.
Two runners this evening, both at Chelmsford. Cogent returns from a break in the mile nursery having been gelded in the interim and the form of his Wolverhampton fourth, which looked only a moderate contest at the time, couldn’t have worked out better, with the first second and third now rated 104, 95 and 87 respectively. He has been raised 5lb in his box as a result and will improve for the run, with Gaspirali the obvious one to beat, but his mark is workable granted this stiffer test of stamina.
Dropping Clarentine back to a mile worked a treat at Lingfield and she has solid claims of following up off a 2lb higher mark here. Fine View got off the mark last week but doesn’t appear to have masses in hand, so with a good draw and Silvestre De Sousa riding out of his skin, our filly should go close.
Two declarations for Salisbury on Monday with Andrea Atzeni set to ride both Biff Johnson and Scrutinise.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Back Monday.
Ed.