The Lacemaker
We had a brief hail storm and some rain last night that was much needed but we could do with some more. There is a lot of rain forecast on Sunday and we should get some more during the early part of next week which will hopefully ensure good ground at the Guineas meeting. There is some mouth watering racing during the rest of this week and it starts with an informative Derby Trial at Epsom this afternoon.
Global Exceed was our only runner yesterday and as I feared his inexperience found him out on debut. He was a fraction slowly away and from the widest draw he found it all happening too quickly for him.
We have four runners at Epsom today and one runner this evening at Lingfield. Michael’s Mount is our first runner in the Great Met at 3:15 and whilst he handles good ground we would love to see the forecast showers appear before his race as his best form is on a softer surface. Galapiat is lightly raced and was hugely impressive at Leicester and is the horse we all have to beat. Dutch Uncle runs in the City And Suburban at 3:50, he has been a great flag bearer over the Winter but he is on a very stiff mark as a consequence and he is vulnerable to one better handicapped but the ground and trip will suit. Arnarson has been extremely consistent and has not been out the frame in five starts, we bumped into a potentially very nice horse last time and the front two in the market have to prove themselves on the racecourse having disappointed on their last start. A race will come his way at some stage and I hope it is today, he looks to have a solid each way chance with Ryan Moore onboard from a good draw. It is his first start on the turf but he looks to handle it at home and a sound surface will suit him.
Oud Metha Bridge is our last runner at Epsom and it is hard to gauge whether he is fairly handicapped or not as he won a bad Maiden very impressively and the horse that beat him at Lingfield ran too badly to be true on his next start. It is an extremely competitive race but he is fresh and well and if he can overcome is draw in stall 11 I hope he will run well. Vantage Point is hard to assess given his improvement has come at Southwell and the main danger looks to be Master Of Discovery as he has a recent run under his belt and is well drawn to attack like he did at Windsor. The Lacemaker is well drawn in stall one and has Adam Kirby to help her but it is a very competitive race that she is starting off in. Belle Diva was idling last time and there is more to come from her and Angel Of Darkness is getting the hang of things. Tai Hang Dragon and Pyjamarama are not to be discounted but both are drawn wide. Our filly will come on for the run but the track and trip will suit and she is entitled to run well having shown a good deal of promise at two.