Yearly Archives: 2021

City Runner is a nice colt by Caravaggio but he will probably need the race. His draw in ten on the outside of the field is hardly a plus for a newcomer.

Ejtilaab did very well to get up in the last stride over a barely adequate six furlongs at Epsom. Up 4lb for that and back to a straight seven furlongs he should again be very competitive.

Corbulo won two of his first three races this term and was an unlucky second in between. From his higher mark he was far from disgraced in third at Doncaster last time. I was surprised to see he is the outsider of this field and expect him to be very competitive tonight.

When I looked at the prices for this race I was just as shocked as on the morning of the Ascot Stakes when I saw that Reshoun was 66/1 and you know what happened next! Any rain would help Restorer as should the first-time visor and in that context 80/1 is a gift, each-way especially.

Sir Benedict is one of our runners that would be helped by any rain. I did not think he was well managed at Musselburgh and I will see to it myself he is managed better tonight as he does have a decent chance here.

Helluvaboy is a very nice horse but he lacks experience on grass. He was not quite right at Goodwood last time. Tonight will show us where we stand with his initial handicap mark of 65.

Lordsbridge Boy was unlucky to be caught on the line on his first two starts for us and then was the first beaten at Salisbury last time. If Hollie can get him away with the leaders, he could come right back to form and go close.

Drumlee Watar has been running well in similar races and had a wind-op since the latest of them. We are also applying first-time cheek-pieces and this should all add up to a big run tonight.

I'm not sure Scheherazade represents such a short price as I am not convinced she will stay the extra distance after her third at Bath. One positive is that she should cope with the ground.

Spanish Kiss won in great style at York. He is up 9lb for that but the way he finished suggests the extra two furlongs will not be a problem and he loves the ground. One to beat but we think we can.

We were looking forward to the soft ground for Quickthorn, who has a round action, but heavy, which it could be by the time of his race, may be another matter. He's a lovely horse and clearly improving so we live in hope.

Percy's Pride is probably better at a mile and a half but with a rating of 77 it's hard to find a suitable race. The William Haggas filly looks the obvious threat but otherwise this looks winnable and she should be there or thereabouts.

Sir Busker is in great order and I'd love to think he can run into a place. He adores the track and while the favourite will be hard to beat, funny things can happen at Ascot.

Getabuck is a nice horse who will be having his first run since a wind operation. He is capable of running well today if he can put it all together after the surgery.

I think Reshoun is a massive price as he did well to get as close as he did in the Chester Cup after a very tardy start. This race gives him time to recover should he start slowly again and William Buick is a big plus in the saddle.

Teemlucky did not run at all badly at Yarmouth last time considering her status as one of the outsiders. Down to her lowest-ever mark, she must have a small chance in this apprentices' race.

Bailarico ran a promising return to the Flat last week. That will have brought him on fitness-wise and we think he will be knocking on the door today.

We tried the visors on Cayman Moon and they seemed to work okay. He has a low mark but I'm still not sure about him. Probably best watched today.

Ultimate Getaway hasn't been as good over hurdles yet as might have been predicted in view of his two bumper wins. There was more encouragement last time at Stratford though and in this maiden hurdle he would have an each-way chance.

Castel Gandolfo deservedly opened his account with a smooth success at Fakenham. He has not been over-penalised for that as he starts handicapping and he must be our best prospect of the evening.