King Kevin, back in action this evening at Wolves
Good morning from Newmarket, where it was slightly overcast this morning, but it has developed into a fine and sunny afternoon. After a near miss for the second day in a row yesterday, we run four horses between Lingfield and Wolverhampton today.
Our first representative is Indian Warrior in the 1.40 at Lingfield, a three-year-old 0-65 handicap over six furlongs. Given that we were rated 75 and running stakes horses close as a two-year-old, it is somewhat disappointing that we have ended up at this level. However, Indian Warrior ran a good race at Haydock on his latest start, and hopefully this drop in grade will give him the opportunity to remain competitive. He is drawn in stall one, so we might be fairly positive, and have secured the services of the excellent James Doyle.
An hour later I run Roxy Art in the six-furlongs fillies novice, over the same course and distance that she was fourth on debut. That was a lovely introduction, although the form has sent out mixed signals in the meantime. Fran Berry was encouraged by her effort that day and retains the ride, though we have drawn the widest stall of all which will not make life easy for horse and rider. She should run a nice race, though the draw has compromised our chances significantly and tempers my confidence.
At Wolverhampton we run Cue’s Folly in the 8.00, a three-year-old plus 0-60 over an extended two miles. Although her half-sister Island Remede ran in the Oaks and was Listed-placed, Cue’s Folly has not inherited much of that ability. She has been beaten an awful long way in three maidens, and now we try a handicap and two miles for the first time in the hope that it might spark a bit of improvement. Eddie Greatrex gets the leg up.
At 8.35 we run stable favourite King Kevin in a mile and a half 0-85. A four-time winner at Wolverhampton, he has been on a break since doing extremely well over the winter. He started winning last year from a mark of 48, and is now on 82, which reflects just how much he progressed during the AW season. This is his first run back, so expectations cannot be too high, but he is the sort that never lets us down. We keep our fingers crossed for a good run. As ever, Rab Havlin will partner Kevin.