Al Nafoorah
The sun is starting to shine here at HQ but it was very cold first thing and there was a very slight ground frost that soon disappeared. We found some fresh ground on the Watered Gallop and we worked twelve horses on what was beautiful ground. It is a shame there is such a small field on Saturday for the 2000 Guineas but at the same time it is very competitive and all the main protagonists are running.
We had two runners at Windsor yesterday and Mushareefa was a little disappointing in the Mile Maiden but is still learning whilst Archimento faded in the 1m2f handicap and we may try some headgear on him in the future.
I run four horses today at three different meetings today. Indian Warrior makes his debut at Yarmouth in the 5f Maiden at 2:20. He is a nice type who has ability but he is likely to want 6f in time and there are two well touted Kodiacs from powerful yards who are likely to have more speed than him. Khitaamy makes his debut up at Nottingham in the Median Auction at 2:40. He is a horse who has some ability but he will improve for his debut. It’s a competitive race with Desert Explorer boasting two solid thirds to his name and Lord Commander, Harmonise and Armagnac have all shown some ability.
Carol has one standout piece of form to her name which was a second at Ascot in a Maiden last season. Her race looks very competitive at Nottingham but it looked like the right type of race to start her back in. I feel that the step up to ten furlongs will bring about improvement but it is her seasonal debut and most of mine are improving for their first run back. Midnight Vixen has been nibbled at and she should improve for this step up in trip whilst Canberra Cliffs won very impressively here recently and shaped as though she will still be competitive off of her revised mark. There are not many you could discount but Secret Soul is well bred and could be well handicapped off of 68 on her second start of 2017.
Al Nafoorah is my last runner this evening and runs in the extended 1m handicap at Wolverhampton in the 7:00. She ran well when second up at Haydock in a 1m Maiden and this looks the right trip to start her off in as she can be a little keen. She may stay further later in the season as she is out of a Motivator mare but given the prevailing fast ground this is the right place to start her off in. Carducci got the job done at Goodwood at very short odds and the Hannon team are in flying form but Three Duchesses improved throughout last season and beat a subsequent winner on her last start and she could be the main danger.