The weather continues to be mild for the time of year – it is 12 degrees in Newmarket today – and the horses look well in the coats for it.
We saddle three at Chelmsford this afternoon with Global Avenger kicking things off in the seven furlong nursery. He ran well over the trip when second at Wolverhampton in October, albeit in selling company, and he steps into handicaps off an ok mark given the winner of that race has won again since and is now rated 65.
Oisin Murphy keeps the ride and he has a decent draw in one, but this looks quite competitive for a 0-60 nursery and he should improve a little for his first start in almost 10 weeks.
Zauffaly goes next in the seven furlong maiden auction and he is rightly vying for favouritism with Jamie Osborne’s Zio Gianni.
We were touched off by a horse rated 76 at Wolverhampton, which would put us right there on the figures (even conceding 2lb to the market leader), and we hope he can step forward again. He’s drawn in six, but two non-runners make that a little easier and this doesn’t look a great race.
Lastly, Harlestone Hopes – who is owned by my father – returns to the track in the mile and five median auction maiden and his pedigree suggests he should relish this trip.
He wasn’t at his best last time out so we gave him a little time and he, too, is likely to come on for the run. Hughie Morrison’s bumper winner Samson deserves plenty of respect, as does Jamie Osborne’s Declan, who could prove a different proposition tackling this distance.
Finally, Andy White – one of the members of the La Grange Partnership – has upped the ante a fortnight before Christmas by getting his wife Julie, also an LG partner, this fine birthday present (the numberplate, as opposed to the car!) The Trip To Paris contingent now have the bar set high when it comes to festive gifts! Good luck!
Back soon.
Ed.