We have had a rare dry day here in HQ but there may be more rain on the way this afternoon. If the long range forecast is to be believed it looks like we may finally have some drier weather on the way.
Red Verdon ran with credit when fourth in the Marathon on All-Weather Finals day. We did not really learn if he truly stays two miles as the race turned into a sprint and so I will more than likely run him over 1m6f or 2m again next time so that we can learn something. Amazing Red was dropped in from his wide draw and had a lot of ground to make up in the valuable Betway handicap. He ran well in sixth and we will let him get over that effort before finding another handicap for him.
Faay is our only runner today in the 3:15 at Lingfield. I would have loved to have started her back on the turf but that has not been possible. She showed plenty of speed last year and so we were looking at dropping her back to 5f or 6f. This race looked the most suitable for her in the current circumstances and I hope she can run with credit in what looks like a trappy fillies’ handicap. Haylah showed good promise on debut at Newbury before not really stepping forward on her next two runs. Kalagia is a winner and she drops back into calmer waters after running in a warm York Nursery where she finished in midfield. Kath’s Lustre has the benefit of a recent run and given how keen she was this drop back in trip should help her settle. Flora Tristan is another who can pull hard but she has ability and there is a race to be won with her if she can do things the right way. It is a very open race despite the small field and after contesting some decent races last year I hope our filly can run well now she is in calmer waters.