Yearly Archives: 2023

Lady Percival had a very busy and productive last half of 2022, especially around here. I hope she will go well but would be surprised if she didn't just need the run after eight months off.

David Egan rode Strictly Dreaming when she ran easily her best race two runs back at Redcar, finishing second. She never featured at Leicester last time but should have more to offer here. Small each-way with Egan back on board.

American Tale hasn't achieved a great deal in his three runs to date but in what looks a pretty poor contest, even with top-weight he will take plenty of beating.

We like Parlando, bought from Godolphin this year but unraced since running 2nd for the Charlie Appleby stable in February last year. Looking forward to seeing him back on the racecourse.

The Grand Visir has plenty of good form around here, usually over further, but first-time blinkers, replacing other headgear, might sharpen him a little. Second in the Queen Alexandra in June, he should make a serious challenge. 

If Cap Francais could get back to his form of spring 2022 he would look very well handicapped but he has been in a year-long slump since. We would just like to see a glimmer from him especially as this is easily the lowest grade he's ever contested.

Sparkle In His Eye is a CD winner and loves flat tracks like Musselburgh. He has a good enough draw in five, has been running ok and can figure in an open contest.

Queensland Boy was very unlucky at Leicester, finishing 6th after getting too far back in a race that has worked out well. He was caught by an unexposed improver after looking a sure-fire winner last time, and this race looks as though there's another danger lurking. Big chance in any case.

Vinaka ran well at Salisbury before disappointing on AW. The worry is whether she will act on the ground and we will decide later if she takes her chance.

Mole Court has been on a roll and while the market is solidly behind Tiger Orchid after his latest win, I'm not convinced as the time before he was behind Hardy Boy, who is inferior to Mole Court in my stable. He has gone up the weights but nevertheless could make it a hat-trick.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Quickthorn at 16/1. He's back in form and the ground should be fine although I'd like a shower to liven the surface up a little. It depends on how the race is run. If he has a lead coming down the hill - although Broome might…

Caius Marcius has safely negotiated the 346.9 miles from Greystoke to Newton Abbot and travelled well. It's just as well after that journey but it's all down to the BHA's Race Planning department. If I hadn't run him today there isn't a suitable race for him for a month. The art of training used to…

Aggressive tactics brought a different result from Ron Burgundy last time but he isn't straightforward and tried to give it away on the run-in. In the circumstances a 7lb rise was fair and if we could be confident he would cut out the idiosyncracies, he would probably be a good thing to follow up. Wish…

It's a tough race but Dartman is in good shape and has a very good each-way chance. He has plenty of speed so coming back a furlong in distance should not be a problem and he has come on for the reappearance run.

Many A Year is a 4yo who for various reasons didn't get onto the racecourse until two weeks ago. He showed some promise then, but still has plenty to learn about racing.