Amazing Red leads Michael Mount this morning.
Quite warm and pleasant this morning.
Three runners today spearheaded by Trip To Paris in the Henry II at Sandown this evening. It has been a truly remarkable season for this horse and we are not even in June! The manner of his Chester Cup success means he is fully entitled to a crack at Group company and tonight will give us an indication of where we stand in relation to the rest of the summer.
We think the return to better ground will suit Paris and the prospect of a tactical race, rather than an end-to-end gallop, is not a huge concern as he is a stayer with a turn of foot. Obviously he has something to find on the figures, but he is progressive, in good form and remains unexposed at two miles. Hopefully he can continue on an upward trajectory.
We saddle two at Lingfield this afternoon in both divisions of the 1m maiden. Ted’s Secret makes his belated debut in the 3.00, which appears to lack strength in depth, but we simply want our horse to have an enjoyable first experience on the track.
Ejbaar goes half an hour later and division two doesn’t look a particularly strong race either. However, Time Flies sets a clear form standard on his Newbury second and the quirks he displayed at the finish that day were probably just down to inexperience. A reproduction of that form would see him land this, so we are probably playing for a place, but our horse has pleased us so far and should continue to go forward.
Two declarations for Saturday this morning, both in the Listed Grand Cup at York. Times Up, who won the race in 2011, returns to the Knavesmire following his promising reappearance in the Yorkshire Cup. Phillip Makin will ride. He will be joined by Red Galileo, who has repeatedly shaped like the step up to this trip will suit. Andrea Atzeni will partner him.
A handful of entries today including God Willing in the 1m 0-110 at Nottingham on Wednesday. We didn’t declare him at either York or Chester on account of the firm ground, so we hope the wet forecast for early next week materialises.
Finally, the M25 is by and large a devilish experience but the motorway demons are most definitely worth braving to get to Sandown tonight. Brigadier Gerard evening is invariably a strong card, but this year looks better than ever with the feature line-up likely to throw up a subsequent Group 1 winner and the National Stakes a serious Royal Ascot trial. Be there if you can!
Ed.