Another glorious day of sunshine yesterday at HQ has been followed by a bright and breezy morning at La Grange. Sageness, our runner at Windsor yesterday evening, raced with enthusiasm under Adam Kirby and went stride for stride with the winner until the final furlong. She then felt the effects of her early exertions and weakened late-on to finish 8th. She is still learning, and I feel can improve as she gains experience.
Today I send two runners to Salisbury, and one to Lingfield’s evening card. First up for us today is Muraadef in the 7f ‘Molson Coors Handicap’ (3.30). He has been disappointing in his runs in maiden and novice company and contests his first handicap from a BHA mark of 62. It looks a very open contest, and Muraadef will need to progress to play a hand in the finish, but I am hopeful he will step up on previous performances and give him an EW chance. Next at Salisbury is Fabulous Red in the 1m2f ‘British Stallion Studs EBF Margadale Fillies' Handicap’ (4.00). A small but select field of four runners go to post for this event, and on form a case can be made for all. Paddy Mathers takes the mount again, and after a decent showing at Nottingham last time Fabulous Red steps up slightly in trip today. I hope this may help her cause a little as she finished out her race at Nottingham well. Small fields can be trappy events, but I think she will run well.
At Lingfield this evening Atwaar (right) makes her racecourse debut in the 6f ‘Enhanced World Cup Specials At 188Bet Fillies' Novice Stakes’ (6.20). Having trained her dam Musharakaat, this is a family I know well. Her sire, Slade Power is doing well with his first-season two-year-olds, and I am hopeful Atwaar can uphold this record. She has been drawn a little wide for a debutant in stall 10 and will do well to emulate her mother by winning first time out, but she has been pleasing me at home, and I am hopeful of a good first run in a competitive novice.
All the best,
Ed.