Sanam
It has been a cloudy and cooler morn at HQ with the weather forecasters predicting a brighter and sunnier afternoon. I was very pleased with the performances from both runners at Leicester yesterday. Artic Spirit travelled very well until the final furlong, where a lack of experience told. She will have learned plenty from the experience and should be capable of building on this. Conflagration came around the pack to challenge and won by 1 ¾ lengths. He was helped by this manoeuvre and was a decisive winner at the line. I congratulate Mr Hui, and hope that Conflagration will continue to progress.
Today I send two runners to contest at Newcastle. Sanam is first to the starting stalls in the 1m4½f ‘ Autotrader Handicap’ (6.45). He was slow to come to hand and needed the experience of his maiden runs last year. His handicap debut at Wolverhampton was more encouraging as he made late progress in a race that has worked out well for the grade. In the interim Sanam has been gelded and given time to mature. He steps up in trip today for his first try at middle distances, and I think this will suit him well. He should have a decent EW chance.
Next up is Sparte Quercus in the 1m2f ‘NCS Group Ltd Handicap’ (7.15). After a few disappointing performances of late, today Sparte runs in blinkers and returns to Tapeta for the first time this year. He has been working better at home than he has shown of late on the track, and I hope the blinkers may spark him up a little. If this has the desired effect, he should show more today, and I hope he too can have an EW chance in a tight-looking handicap.
All the best,
Ed.