There was only a small amount of rain here last night but there was a significant amount of rain that fell in the surrounding areas. Once more we are dry but overcast here in Newmarket and the forecast for the majority of the racecourses is for it to be mainly dry for the foreseeable future. There are some showers forecast for Epsom in the early parts of next week. I was delighted that we reached thirty winners for the season at Kempton Park last night and the horses continue to look well and please me at home.
Rock ‘N Red and Blushes ran at Hamilton yesterday, Rock ‘N Red settled and travelled well but she was tapped for toe in the latter stages of the race. Blushes ran a satisfactory race in fifth, I thought she may place before making no impression in the last furlong and a mile may be her optimum trip. Timia was too free in the first time blinkers at Lingfield and failed to see her race out.
On The Bill held on bravely to dead heat in the seven furlong maiden and I was very pleased with him, he will enter handicap company now. Justice First was shuffled back and had a wide trip when down the field in the seven furlong handicap and we will either run him left handed next time or over a straight six.
We have two runners today at Sandown, stepping Inniscastle Lad up to ten furlongs has been the making of him and as he saves plenty for himself, I am not sure how much improvement he has left in him. He has a good draw and Silvestre knows him well having won on him the last twice so we hope he can go close tonight. Global Applause runs in the National Stakes and it looks to be a very good renewal. Mehmas deserves to be a short priced favourite after he beat us in the Olympic Glory and Chupulla was very impressive on the all-weather when beating a dual winner in a good time at Kempton. Copper Knight won well at Chester whilst Bohemian Crown and Jule In The Crown have both won last time. I feel that the faster ground here will be in his favour, he has a good draw and I think he ran slightly below par last time, we will know where to go with him next after this evening.
It was interesting to read about the jockey Natalie Turner striking fellow jockey Freddy Jose Manrrique-Guerrero in Oklahoma, USA yesterday with her whip. Manrrique-Guerrero has received a 30 day ban and has been ordered to attend anger management classes for his role in the incident which saw him elbow his fellow jockey. Natalie Turner is still awaiting her punishment but it is unlikely to be lenient, the last time I remember a similar incident happening over here was back in the 1990’s.