Leaving the outdoor ride.
Overcast this morning but some sunshine now.
Two runners today. Red Galileo returns to Doncaster for the conditions race he finished runner-up in last year and we thought we would take our chance when the race reopened. We’re the outsider of the three but the ground should suit him and hopefully he will run his race.
Mulhaam returns to the track quickly at Kempton this evening, but he took his run at Lingfield well and this didn’t look a particularly good contest. He’s well drawn and on a fair mark for his handicap debut while we think the all-weather will suit him.
Five declarations for Friday. Times Up (Graham Lee) returns to the scene of his finest hours in the Doncaster Cup, Manjaam (George Baker) and Biff Johnson (Freddie Tylicki) head to Sandown, while Silvestre de Sousa will partner a pair of Sheikh Hamdan’s horses – Al Hamd and Tartoor – at Salisbury.
I must have offended somebody at Weatherbys in another life because we don’t seem to be getting much of a break with the draw at the moment. Al Hamd and Tartoor are widest of all while Biff Johnson is 11 of 15! I’m pleased we’re not running at Chester!
Six entries for Tuesday spearheaded by Scrutinise in the mile and a half handicap at Yarmouth. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather for him as some ease underfoot is important.
England injected some impetus into the one day series yesterday with a thoroughly convincing performance, far different to the first two games. Adil Rashid was the star, giving the ball some real rip, and a thin layer of the post-Ashes gloss has been repainted on the game.
Finally, as the Queen celebrates becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, the king of the saddle returns in the Leger Legends race at Doncaster, with AP McCoy having his first – and reportedly last – competitive ride since retiring in April.
It says something about the public appeal of the race that is has become the feature on day one of the Leger Meeting, and the vast amounts of money raised for the IJF are invaluable. A great spectacle and a superb cause – could you ask for any more? Let’s hope AP drives Gannicus home!
Back tomorrow.
Ed.